World Cup winner Ball died tackling garden fire

England World Cup winner Alan Ball died of a heart attack while tackling a fire in his garden. Firefighters and officers were called to his home at 12.15am today when his body was discovered outside.

A police spokesman said Mr Ball, 61, had been trying to tackle a bonfire that had got out of control when he collapsed and died in Warsash, Hampshire.

There are no suspicious circumstances to the death, he added.

Ball had spent the day working on his garden, but it appeared the fire had spread to a fence.

The youngest member of the side that lifted the trophy at Wembley in 1966 died just hours after watching Manchester United's European Champions League semi-final tie with AC Milan on television.

Speaking from his father's Southampton home, Jimmy Ball said: "I was talking to him last night just after the football and he was in great form. We were talking about (Paul) Scholes' pass.

"And then I got a phone call in the middle of the night. It's unbelievable and very, very sad."

Mr Ball said he was "very proud" of his father's achievements and added: "I would like him to be known as a nice man with a passion for football. He had a big heart and was very generous."

Mr Ball said his father missed his mother Lesley terribly after she died from cancer three years ago and added: "I hope they are together now."

The couple were married for over 36 years.

World Cup winning goalscorer Sir Geoff Hurst led the tributes, saying that the other members of the 1966 team were "totally devastated".

Sir Geoff said: "He was the youngest member of the team and man of the match in the 1966 World Cup final.

"Socially, he was always a good laugh and the 1966 team mixed a lot after then."

Sir Geoff contacted other members of the team this morning.

He said: "We are all totally devastated."

Another England team-mate, Alan Mullery, said Ball's death was " shocking news".

"He was such a bouncy and lively, young 61-year-old," he said. "He was the life and soul of everything. It is shocking news.

"I played with him in Mexico (in the 1970 World Cup). He was a loveable bouncy character, he had a heart of gold. He lived football.

"He loved playing for his country. It is such a shock. At 61, he was a fit little fellow. He played a lot of golf."

Mr Ball was just 21 when he played in the World Cup winning side and he went on to win 72 caps for his country in a 10-year career. He also played for a string of top clubs including Everton and Arsenal.

He is the second member of the side that beat West Germany 4-2 to die. Captain Bobby Moore died of cancer in 1993.

Midfielder Alan Ball was a key member of manager Sir Alf Ramsey's " Wingless Wonders" and was awarded an MBE in 2000 for his services to football.

Sir Bobby Charlton said he was "shocked and saddened" by the death of his 1966 England team-mate.

The former Manchester United midfielder said: "He was probably the best player that day and if it had not been for his impact the result could have been totally different.

"He did not appear to have a nerve in his body, and he was an inspiration to us all."

Sir Bobby said Ball was a sensational player who had great enthusiasm for the game.

He added: "Alan was always bright and bubbly in everything he did as a player. He went about his work with great enthusiasm and gusto and he always had a smile on his face.

"He was a sensational little player with great touch and great vision. He had great close control and although he wasn't a fast player, he didn't need to be. He could see things clearly and always made the right decisions.

"He was the youngest member of our squad and we were all looking forward to our latest reunion in two weeks. I am very sad and shocked by the news. Alan will be badly missed."