Ball's death marked with tribute at Stamford Bridge

LONDON, Apr 25 (Reuters) The death of England World Cup winner Alan Ball was marked by a tribute of sustained applause before the Champions League semi-final between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge today.

Among the dignitaries paying their respects was West German great Franz Beckenbauer who played against England in the final at Wembley in July 1966.

Ball, 61, was found dead late on Tuesday at his home in Hampshire after a suspected heart attack.

Ball played for Liverpool's rivals Everton and Chelsea's London rivals Arsenal among other clubs during his glittering career in the 1960s and 1970s. He was 21 and the youngest member of the England team which beat West Germany to win the World Cup for the only time.

REUTERS PDS BST0108