SAMMY McIlroy has paid tribute to one of the great characters' after hearing the sad news of Alan Ball's death.
Ball, the youngest member of England's 1966 World Cup winning side, died on Tuesday after suffering a heart attack. He was just 61.
And Morecambe manager McIlroy says the world will be worse off for his passing.
"Alan Ball was a great competitor on the football field and great company off it," says McIlroy.
"I played against him in both league and international football and he was a real tough man to be against but a gentleman throughout.
"It is not that long since I met up with him. Funnily enough I had just read hit book and I went up to him and shook his hand and told him how much I enjoyed it.
"His passing is really sad news. He was well thought of in both football and horse racing circles and both sports have lost one of their great characters."
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