Premier League Hardman Revealed He Was Football Hooligan off the Pitch

A former Premier League hardman has opened up on his time as a football hooligan having enjoyed a career in England's top flight.

Kevin Ball played for the likes of Portsmouth, Fulham and Burnley but will be remembered for his nine-year spell at Sunderland, where he plied his trade in the Premier League.

He began his career in defence before moving into midfield, playing 389 games for Sunderland across all competitions, scoring 27 goals.

Ball, who was born in Hastings, had a reputation as a hardman for his no-nonsense and aggressive approach on the pitch.

But before he carved out a career in the Premier League, Ball was a football hooligan.

Speaking on the Under The Cosh podcast in 2023, the 61-year-old shared his experiences as a hooligan before becoming a professional footballer.

Kevin Ball played for Sunderland from 1990 to 1999. Image: Getty

Pressed on if he was a hooligan, he replied: "In what respect," before being asked if he had fights on the terraces. "Not really no."

Ball added: "At what age are you talking... I used to love it when I was young, but that was like back... but very young.

"I mean don't get me wrong, I'm not stupid like I mean I realise that when you get to about 25 you can't do it," he joked.

"When you're young, I think I was lucky enough I could do all of that. My mates used to say that when I was playing, we'll do the fighting off the pitch, you do the fighting on the pitch type thing."

Kevin Ball in action for Sunderland. Image: Getty

Ball, a former Sunderland captain, continued: "I cannot describe the feeling you get. It was just... when you cross the white line for any team you play for... what I've always said to the players you have to understand you're taking the hope of all these supporters on your shoulders, so when you cross that white line you either do or you don't.

"And my way of doing it was the way I was. If it was a 50/50, I f**king went for it, 60/40 you go for it, 70/30 you went for it but it might just mean the other bloke ends up over your f**king head right you know what I mean."