Thomas Ball (Aston Villa), only English Footballer to be murdered

[Boz]

Has this ever been discussed on the Forum?

What class of player was he?

One version of events is that after enjoying a Sunday evening (11th November 1923) in the Church Tavern (Perry Barr) drinking with his wife Thomas Edgar Ball a 24 year old Villa player returned home and got into an argument with his landlord and neighbour George Stagg. Two shots were fired one proving fatal.  George Stagg escaped hanging but was locked up for life and eventually died in 1966 in a Birmingham mental home,,,,so far Thomas is the only English football player to be murdered.
 

[peter w]

it has been discussed. Was it Dave W or Percy who had a lowdown on him? I think Robbo saw him play...

[Chico Hamilton III]

Didn't one of Ball's relatives post a message on here many years ago?

[bob rowe]

One of my uncles got married at the church where Ball is buried. I remember seeing his grave with a stone football on the top.I didn't realise the significance until I read Dave W's article about Ball in Total Football a few years ago.

[OzVilla]

Great article in one of the early 90's edition of H & V about it.  I had no idea.

[martin@HandV]

Article from Heroes & Villains Issue 6

[Ron Manager]

One of my uncles got married at the church where Ball is buried. I remember seeing his grave with a stone football on the top.I didn't realise the significance until I read Dave W's article about Ball in Total Football a few years ago.

What church is that Bob?

[bob rowe]

This link will show Tommy Balls grave & some info below the photo. The church is St John The Baptist in Church Rd Perry Barr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58346221@N04/5482520544/

[Ron Manager]

This link will show Tommy Balls grave & some info below the photo. The church is St John The Baptist in Church Rd Perry Barr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58346221@N04/5482520544/

Thanks for that Bob.

[eamonn]

Article from Heroes & Villains Issue 6

Is that a secret forum you've got on the go there Martin? As an aside, if all the past editions of H&V were made electronic I'm sure the Woodhall empire could make a mint.

[martin@HandV]

Article from Heroes & Villains Issue 6

Is that a secret forum you've got on the go there Martin? As an aside, if all the past editions of H&V were made electronic I'm sure the Woodhall empire could make a mint.

No, it has always been there.

There is a link here under Heroes Links on the left. I try to update it as often as l can with links to topics here ( normally from the Memories forum ) as can be seen by the number of views on each topic, a lot of users still go there.

[dave.woodhall]

Further reading:

http://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=39388.0

http://thefootballadventurer.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/grizzly-tale-of-thomas-ball.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Ball

www.amazon.co.uk/Murder-Tommy-Ball-Aston-Tragedy/dp/0948683260/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210717463&sr=8-1