The Forest Green Rovers Supporters Club would like to place on record our thanks to Jimmy Ball after his departure was announced by Forest Green Rovers earlier today.
Jimmy, the son of former England footballer Alan, became the third generation of the Ball family to manage in the English Football League, believed to be an EFL first, when he took on the role of caretaker manager in April 2021 following Mark Coopers departure. Jimmy followed in the footsteps of his father Alan and grandfather Alan Senior.
Ball took charge with Rovers having lost 5 out of their 6 previous fixtures but he was able to make an immediate impact, overseeing a 3-2 victory at home to Scunthorpe on 17 April. He remained in charge for the rest of the season as FGR reached the playoffs for the first time in 2 seasons where they eventually lost to Newport.
The second leg of the playoffs was played in front of FGR fans at a vociferous New Lawn Stadium in a breath-taking fixture which FGR won 4-3 in pulsating fashion, but sadly this did not overcome the deficit from the first leg.
In total Ball oversaw eight matches in charge of FGR, with 4 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats as he became a popular figure amongst fans, with whom he built a strong rapport. Ball also had a role within the FGR academy where was U18s manager and he played an active role in the development of the club’s young players.
Our thanks to Jimmy and best wishes for the future.
