Michael Ball

Michael John Ball (born 2 October 1979 in Liverpool, Merseyside) is an English professional Association football who is currently a free agent having previously played as a Defender (association football) Full back for English Premier League team Manchester City F.C..

Ball started Michael Ball professional career at Everton F.C., making Michael Ball debut as a 17 year old in 1997. In 2001 Michael Ball was capped by England national football team, though Michael Ball has not represented Michael Ball country since. In the 2001 close season Michael Ball joined Rangers F.C. in a £6.5m transfer. In December 2001 Michael Ball suffered a knee ligament injury which took 18 months to heal. In the 2004-05 season, Ball won Scottish Premier League and Scottish League Cup medals with Rangers, but at the end of the season was sold to PSV Eindhoven for a nominal fee. Ball was signed by world renowned manager Guus Hiddink spending a successful one and a half seasons at PSV winning the Dutch Eredivisie as well as runner up in the KNVB Cup. The departure of Guus Hiddink to manage the Russian National side and arrival of Ronald Koeman as the replacement signalled the sale of Michael to Manchester City.

Club career

Everton

As a schoolboy Ball was part of the Liverpool F.C. youth system, playing alongside Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard. From 1994-1996 Michael Ball attended the The Football Association's National School at Lilleshall, before joining Everton F.C.. Michael Ball played Michael Ball first senior match in April 1997 as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur F.C., and made Michael Ball first start a week later at West Ham United F.C.. Ball developed into an impressive player equally adept at both centre back and Michael Ball main position, left back. Michael Ball solid performances for Everton led to an England National Football Team call-up to Sven-Göran Eriksson's first England squad for a friendly match against Spain national football team in February 2001. Ball was named as a substitute, and made Michael Ball debut when Michael Ball replaced Chris Powell at half-time.

Rangers

In 2001 Michael Ball was allowed to leave Everton, primarily due to the club's financial problems. Although Michael Ball had offers from the Premiership, Michael Ball opted for a lucrative deal with Scottish SPL club Rangers F.C. and moved to Glasgow in a £6.5m deal. Michael Ball first Old Firm match ended in controversy when Michael Ball swore at Rangers manager Dick Advocaat after being substituted, resulting in a £10,000 fine. In December 2001, after Michael Ball eleventh Rangers appearance, Michael Ball suffered medial ligament damage which kept Michael Ball side-lined for 18 months, including the entire 2002-03 season. Upon Michael Ball return to fitness Michael Ball regained Michael Ball place in the team, becoming a first team regular in the 2003-04 season. Also getting player of the month award in Michael Ball first month back.

Ball's transfer to Rangers included installments payable after fixed numbers of appearances. As Ball approached 60 appearances Rangers became reluctant to play him, as doing so would trigger a £500,000 payment to Everton. As a result, Ball played only four matches in the first four months of the 2004-05 season. The scenario was eventually resolved in December 2004 when negotiations involving the player and the two clubs reached an undisclosed agreement. With the contractual wrangling resolved, Ball returned to the first team, and won Scottish league cup medal an SPL league winners medal as Rangers won the 2004-05 title.

PSV Eindhoven

In the 2005 close season, Rangers wished to remove the higher earners from their wage bill, so Ball moved to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven for a fee of £500,000, signing a two year contract. As Michael Ball played so well in all 11 games Michael Ball played for PSV, Stuart Pearce bought Michael Ball to Manchester City.

Manchester City

Michael Ball joined Manchester City on 31 January 2007 after impressing on a week long trial, on a 6-month contract for a nominal fee. Michael Ball made Michael Ball debut ten days later against Portsmouth, and scored Michael Ball first goal for the club in an FA Cup 5th Round match against Preston North End F.C. on 18 February. Michael Ball is often used as third choice captain, if Richard Dunne (Captain) and Micah Richards (Vice Captain) are unavailable. Michael Ball will not be offered a new deal unfortunately at the end of season, Mark Hughes has said.

On 24 August 2008, Ball took the captain's armband in the 46th minute after stand in captain Richards was knocked out in a challenge with a team mate and substituted during a game against West Ham United F.C.. City went on to score three goals and win the game 3-0.

At the end of January 2009 Ball had an knee operation on Michael Ball left patella tendon, will be out of action for 7-12 months.

On 1 July 2009, Michael Ball was released by Manchester City as Michael Ball contract expired.

International career

In February 2001 Michael Ball was capped by England national football team in a friendly match against Spain national football team, though Michael Ball has not represented Michael Ball country since.