Ball on trial at City

January 24, 2007

MICHAEL BALL: On trial at City

PSV Eindhoven left-back Michael Ball is on a week's trial at City.

The 27-year-old former Everton man signed for Rangers for é6.5million in 2001 before moving on to the Eredivisie with PSV.

City are on the look-out for a left-back after selling Ben Thatcher to Charlton.

Ball told www.mcfc.co.uk: éThis is a great opportunity for me to show the Manager and the staff here firsthand what I can do.é

Would you like to see Ball at City? Have your say.

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BlueLoon, manchester sat in a dark room with my pc on (24/01/2007 at 15:36)

Think i would have been happy for any of the squad EXCEPT another sick note

Player Goals
FarfÃ¡n 13
Arouna KonÃ© 10
MÃ©ndez 5
Simons 5
Afellay 4
Alex 4
Cocu 4
Diego Tardelli 2
Kluivert 2
Aissati 1
Beerens 1
Da Costa 1
Reiziger 1
Salcido 1
Vennegoor of Hesselink 1

REMI, URMSTON (24/01/2007 at 15:38)

Makes a mockery of SP's comments when he said we could afford to let Thatcher go because we have cover, saying that Ball is better than Thatcher or Jordan and I hope this one comes off although he is an average player.

Sam, Reddish (24/01/2007 at 15:39)

Absolutely. Was on the fringes of the England squad not too long ago, despite playing for clubs who are unfashionable... at least in terms of producing England internationals. Nobody took a chance on him a couple of seasons ago, surprisingly, when he went to PSV. Probably won't pull up trees, but from what I remember at Everton, had a pretty sweet left foot.

ME, HERE (on my PDA coming home from the game) (24/01/2007 at 15:39)

How long before he drops out - I put money on less than 48 hours.......

Jesper, Denmark (24/01/2007 at 15:40)

Still better than Jordan and is at least a quite solid performer who is good at crossing and set pieces.

Vincent, Manchester (24/01/2007 at 15:45)

Nearly had a heart attack when I read the headline - then saw it was not about Alan Ball and relaxed a bit.

Gaz Blue, Hulme (24/01/2007 at 15:46)

if he can concentrate for 90 minutes and not give up just cos someone goes past him in the 18 yard box and also put in a tackle and pass with his left foot then he will do for me.....in fact anyone will..I just want players who are committed to doing their best for this club and are not here for the ride ..If Michael Ball is that..then fine..at least he won't have settling in problems considering he's a mate of Dunne's from the same Everton youth set-up ! .... a striker now please !!

dan de lion, wythenshawe (24/01/2007 at 15:46)

LOVE CHANGES EVERYTHING

BlueLoon, manchester sat in a dark room with my pc on (24/01/2007 at 15:47)

Played 12 games for them in two years ?? Bells riinging anybody

Year Employer Matches Goals
2005/06 PSV 12 0
2005/06 Glasgow Rangers 2 0
2004/05 Glasgow Rangers 15 0
2003/04 Glasgow Rangers 32 1
2002/03 Glasgow Rangers 0 0
2001/02 Glasgow Rangers 8 0
2000/01 Everton 29 3
1999/00 Everton 25 1
1998/99 Everton 37 3
1997/98 Everton 25 1
1996/97 Everton 5 0

Donald Kiddick, Eastlands (24/01/2007 at 15:47)

The guys only played about 22 games in the last 2.5 years. Another big gamble but can't be any worse than Jordan

Gary, Dudley (24/01/2007 at 15:48)

This chap was good when he started. For the infallible Guus Hiddink to sign him for PSV ranks as a great compliment to his talents. So he hasn't played much for them, but I can say right now, that he is far superior to the unfortunate Jordan. There is no way he would have strolled around against Blackburn, letting them score 2 goals.

Mike, Ashton (24/01/2007 at 15:50)

A solid signing, if it goes ahead, to add numbers. As someone said before on another article, the fans still need a hero

Blue John, London (24/01/2007 at 15:55)

Michael Ball. Excuse me for being underwhelmed at news of this 'exciting' development

Goretown Blue, Sunny Gorton (24/01/2007 at 15:55)

We would be better off getting Bobby Ball than this clown ........ Rock on Tommy ! Must Grumble

J (Original), Manchester (24/01/2007 at 15:55)

Am I the only one on here that feels like crying?

Fat Bloke, Wales (24/01/2007 at 15:56)

I thought he was a great judge on Soapstar Superstar.

BlueLoon, manchester sat in a dark room with my pc on (24/01/2007 at 15:56)

So Ball was told 29/12 /2006 to find a new club & we bring him in for a week..grasping at straws..

The PSV head coach also announced that he has told Michael Ball, Michael Lamey and Arvid Smit that they have no future at the club. Koeman wants Csaba FehÃ©r to stay in Eindhoven, though. Â"We would like to have a 23 or 24-man squad at our disposal and strengthen our options by completing deals with two strikers and one left back.Â"

Blues Clues, Failsworth (24/01/2007 at 15:57)

Always thought he became a bit cheesey after he moved from the West End into Pop Music....but the guy can sing though! So would be an entertaining left back - and entertainment is something we have been starved of!

Soulboy, Love City (24/01/2007 at 15:59)

Brilliant signing, the man's a renowned entertainer. This is just the type of signing we need to get the stadium packed again. Some of his songs would bring a tear to a glass eye... But how we managed to prise him away from The Phantom of the Opera, Stourbridge Odeon, is certainly one up for our much maligned manager. Well done Pearcey. Let's get Sarah Brightman in now and what a double act they could prove to be upfront. No more Les Miserables, now it's far more Mama Mia! Here I go again...

Ollie, Guernsey (24/01/2007 at 16:00)

If he could stay fit he might be alright but I doubt it. I am not sure that this is what we need but I guess this is all SP can get on a free!

Phil, Sheffield (24/01/2007 at 16:04)

Just calmed down from seeing the word 'ball' and 'City' together. Had horrible flashbacks to a very, very unhappy time.

Now of course, we're all so Happy aren't we!

Michael Ball: very good player about 5 years ago, but now very injury prone. Hmmm.
What about Billy Jones or JLloyd Samuel? Oh silly me, we might have to pay a transfer fee for those fellas!

Blue, Stockport (24/01/2007 at 16:05)

Well all I can say is he has to be better than Jordon, at least on current form.

Psycho's Lambs of War, Mcr (24/01/2007 at 16:08)

Soulboy, i had to come out of retirement to tell you that's the funniest post i've ever read on these message boards. I've been in tears for the last 5 minutes! You can take away our hope, you can take away our dignity but you can't take away our sense of humour!

Gaz Blue, Hulme (24/01/2007 at 16:09)

...must admit though..I am still looking for something too inspire me when that season ticket renewal form falls through the door....... considering the club has mortgaged it's future against future season ticket sales they are not doing a good job of getting us to do that are they ?..or so it seems to me

Blue John, London (24/01/2007 at 16:09)

Soulboy - You've got the wrong Michael Ball I'm afraid. The one City have got in was in my class at school. Nice enough chap, last seen working in Lloyd's Pharmacy on Honiton High Street. Let's see, he'd be 43 now. Yup, I think mine's the right one......

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