Kevin Ball

Football player infobox
playername = Kevin Ball


fullname = Kevin Ball
nickname =
dateofbirth = Birth date and age|1964|11|12|mf=y
cityofbirth = Hastings
countryofbirth = England
currentclub = Sunderland "(youth team coach)"
clubnumber =
position = Defender/Midfielder
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1981-1982
1982-1990
1990-1999
1999-2000
2000-2002
clubs = Coventry City
Portsmouth
Sunderland
Fulham
Burnley
caps(goals) = 0 (0)
105 (4)
340 (21)
18 (0)
82 (2)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
manageryears = 2006
managerclubs = Sunderland "(caretaker manager)"
pcupdate = 15/10/2006

Kevin Ball aka 'The Hatchet' (born Hastings, England, United Kingdom on 12 November, 1964) is a former professional footballer and now coach. Between 6 March and 8 May, 2006 Ball acted as Sunderland caretaker manager for the last ten games of the 2005-06 season following the sacking of Mick McCarthy, taking five points from these games. Although Ball expressed his interest in the manager's job on a full-time basis, incoming chairman Niall Quinn was keen for the club to appoint a 'world-class manager' following the club's takeover by the Drumaville Consortium, effectively ruling Ball out of the running. While speculation linked him with subsequent managerial vacancies at Colchester and Darlington, Ball remained at Sunderland under the new regime, returning to his former post of Assistant Academy Manager.

Ball began his career in central defence but was converted in his later career into a central midfielder. Ball is one of Sunderland's best-loved former players due to his committed style of play, playing 389 games for the club in all competitions, scoring 27 goals. He also had spells with Portsmouth and, after leaving Sunderland, Fulham and Burnley.

Ball's time at Burnley is probably best remembered for a trademark tackle on David Dunn in a derby match against Blackburn that inflamed an already-volatile crowd.

Managerial stats

External links

*soccerbase (manager)|id=2028|name=Kevin Ball
* [http://www.safc.com/news/?page_id=9130 Kevin Ball: A profile]
* [http://www.safc.com/news/?page_id=9132 Ball named caretaker manager]