Alan Ball dead

[Monkey Tonk]

Alan Ball is dead. Normally I wouldn't make a big deal about the death of a foreign player, but news of his death brought back memories. And respect.

When Ajax ruled Europe from 71-73 there was one team that could have eliminated us, and probably should have. Arsenal. With Alan Ball. It was March of 1972, the year after Ajax had lifted its first European Cup at Wembley.

After losing 2-1 in Amsterdam Arsenal only needed a 1-0 win at Highbury. Ajax was never in the game. A very lucky own goal gave us the all-important away goal early on, and from thereon it was 75 minutes of sheer terror. In my memory the entire match was played in and around the Ajax penalty box, but miraculously the ball never went in.

If Arsenal had gotten what it deserved that night, there may never have been a legendary Ajax. We would have been onetime winners, instead of three in a row. That match was huge. It was the one time that the Great Ajax was totally dominated and outclassed. So hats off to Alan Ball. If only for not scoring.