World Cup winner's double cancer shock

Ball, who won a World Cup winner's medal with England in 1966 and is a former pupil of Farnworth Grammar School, discovered several months ago that they have both been diagnosed with the disease.

He revealed today that his wife Lesley and 33-year-old daughter Mandy were diagnosed within a fortnight of each other.

But Mr Ball, aged 56, who was awarded an MBE for his World Cup achievement, said both are "responding positively" to treatment and the family are "very upbeat about the future".

Wife Lesley, aged 54, has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and Mandy has been told she has breast cancer.

"It was a huge shock and very difficult to take. We are all hoping for the best," the soccer hero said.

Mr Ball, who was part of the side which beat Germany 4-2 at Wembley, said the discovery was made quite recently.

He added: "It is a few months down the line and the news about them is both good. They have responded well to treatment and we are very upbeat about the future. We are hoping for the best.

"You can imagine the last few months have been a bit fraught. But the news about Lesley and Mandy is good. Life goes on and we have got to get on with it the best we can."

The Ball family, who used to live in Enfield Street, Walkden, in the 1960s, first discovered Mandy was suffering from breast cancer three months ago when she found a lump on her chest.

Mr Ball married Lesley in 1967 at St Stephen's Church, Kearsley, with their wedding reception held at the Last Drop Hotel, Bromley Cross, Bolton.

Father-of-three Mr Ball, who lives in Hook, Hampshire, said his younger daughter Keely, 29, also went for tests but was given the all clear.

Midfielder Mr Ball, who was 21 when England won the World Cup, used to play for Blackpool, Everton, Arsenal and Southampton.

He finished his career in America before returning to Britain to manage Blackpool, Portsmouth, Exeter City, Southampton, Manchester City and then back to Portsmouth where he left in 1999.