From World Cup winner to dog chaser: when Alan Ball met Oscar Chinneck 

From World Cup winner to dog chaser: when Alan Ball met Oscar Chinneck 

The World Cup is about more than just football. Anyone who has been to a match in the competition over the years or watched on TV, will recall unforgettable moments, larger-than-life heroes and stories that continue to be shared decades after the final whistle. For me, one of those stories has a surprisingly personal connection through the legendary Alan Ball. 

He was just 21 years old when he became the youngest player in England’s World Cup-winning team in 1966. Although Geoff Hurst rightly earned his place in history with his famous hat-trick in the final, many observers regarded Ball as the standout Player of the Match. His relentless energy, determination and fearless style of play embodied everything that made England’s victory so memorable. 

Years later, Alan was appointed manager of Portsmouth FC, serving from 1984 until 1989. During his time at the club, Pompey trained at the Moneyfields Sports Ground at the top of Dover Road. While most football fans would associate that ground with training sessions and preparations for league matches, my own memories are tied to something rather more unusual. 

At the time, my parents would take their small dog, Oscar, to work with them every day. Oscar spent much of his time sitting in the office window and became something of a local character, affectionately known around the area as Oscar Chinneck. One of the tenants, a lovely elderly gentleman called Jack Toomey, would call in to pay his rent each week before taking Oscar out for a walk. Their favourite destination was often the sports ground nearby. 

On one memorable occasion, Oscar spotted the Pompey players training and decided that their football looked like a lot of fun. The little dog charged onto the pitch, chased after the ball and promptly ran off with it. The Portsmouth players, nicknamed the Gremlins, reportedly found the whole incident hilarious. Mr Ball, however, was apparently rather less amused. 

Whenever I think about that story, I cannot help but smile at the mental image it creates: the fiery red-headed World Cup winner, whose boundless energy had dazzled the world in 1966, chasing after a mischievous little dog called Oscar Chinneck in an effort to retrieve his football.  

For me, that anecdote perfectly captures what the World Cup represents. While the tournament celebrates elite athletes and historic achievements, its real legacy lies in the personal memories and stories that connect generations. Alan Ball’s contribution to England’s greatest football triumph will never be forgotten, but in the Chinneck Shaw memory, his legacy also includes a much smaller chapter involving a runaway football, a determined little dog and a tale that still raises a smile whenever the World Cup comes around. 

By Neil Shaw – Managing Director – Chinneck Shaw

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