THE teacher who aided England footballer Alan Ball's sporting career when he was still a Farnworth Grammar School pupil spoke of his pleasure at figuring in the World Cup winner's new autobiography.

Mr John Dickinson - "JD" to generations of grammar school youngsters - recognised, as Ball writes, that "although I was small I had determination in every pore and a level of skill that belied my size."

Mr Dickinson put him into school football teams as early as possible and sent him for a trial at Lancashire Boys, championing his cause both inside and outside school.

Now retired, "over 70" as he describes himself and living in Lostock, Mr Dickinson is modest about his influence over the red-headed youngster who became an international star. "Yes, I suppose I did help him, but he had so much talent," he recalls.

Mr Dickinson was head of PE and also taught maths at the Manchester Road school for more than 25 years before education re-organisation took him to Little Lever Secondary School.

He well remembers Alan Ball, not just because the lad excelled at football, but because he was also a good all-rounder. "He played cricket for the school, and he was a good cross-country runner," says Mr Dickinson.

"In 1961, he ran for his house, Athenian, in a field of about 100 runners in the annual school inter-house competition, and came home first."

As soon as he was 15, the teacher put young Ball in the school over 15s side, which also included some lads over 18. "You can imagine the difference in height there," he remembers, laughing. "Alan was so small and these were big lads, but he was so skilful with the ball."

Mr Dickinson's brother, Roger, was a PE teacher at Hayward Schools. And on one occasion when Alan Ball was included in the senior side against a Hayward team, Roger Dickinson said to his brother: "Who's that little red-headed lad? You must be desperate to be getting them that young."

"I think I said something like 'just wait and see' - and then enjoyed young Ball running rings around them. There was plenty of family rivalry!"

When his former pupil played for Blackpool FC, Mr Dickinson went to see him - "that was enjoyable," he says. And he was "very proud" to watch him through his career and see him in the winning 1966 England World Cup squad.

He remembers the youngster through school as "pleasant, with plenty of friends and always talking on the field!"

Mr Dickinson was a keen amateur footballer in his youth and, as a former pupil of Rivington and Blackrod High School, he founded the Lancashire Amateur League side, Old Rivingtonians.

As a teacher Mr Dickinson always encouraged young talent. Bolton Wanderers' player Ronnie Phillips was a pupil of his, as was current Wanderers' director Eddie Davies.

Now, he is content to enjoy his football as a Wanderers season ticket holder, but the new book has prompted a special glow of pride in the achievements of one particular pupil.

"I remember once when Farnworth Grammar School played Rivington and Blackrod High School and Alan was playing. We won 5-0, now can you guess who scored all the goals?"