1945: Born Farnworth, Lancashire, May 12.

1962: Joined Blackpool, for whom he made 116 League appearances and scored 41 goals.

1965: Made England debut in 1-1 draw against Yugoslavia in Belgrade.

1966: July 30 - World Cup winner with England. August - Signed for Everton (208 Lge apps, 66gls) for a record £110,000.

1970: Won League championship medal.

1971: Transferred to Arsenal (177; 45) for £220,000, another record.

1975: Last of 72 England caps, skippering side in 5-1 win against Scotland at Wembley.

1976: Sold to Southampton (132; 9).

1978: Spell in the United States as player-boss of Philadelphia Fury.

1980: Moved to Blackpool (30; 5) after a spell in Canada as player-manager of Vancouver Whitecaps.

1981: Resigned as Blackpool player-manager and returned to The Dell for second spell with Southampton (63; 2).

1983: Joined Bristol Rovers (17; 2) after playing in Hong Kong with Eastern. Retired in May after 975 first-team games in 21 years.

1984: Appointed manager of Portsmouth.

1989: Spell as coach at Colchester after parting company with Portsmouth. Later succeeded Mick Mills at Stoke.

1991: Quit Stoke and launched new career as publican. Five months later returned to football as manager of Third Division Exeter.

1992: Spell as coach to England under Graham Taylor.

1994: Left Exeter to become manager at Southampton alongside Lawrie McMenemy.

1995: July 1 - agreed three-year contract to take over as manager of Manchester City.

1996: City relegated to Division One. Resigns early the following season.

1998: Takes over from Terry Fenwick for a second spell as Portsmouth manager.

1999: December 9 - Ball is sacked by new chairman Milan Mandaric.

2007: April 25 - Dies aged 61 after suffering a heart attack.

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