Latest news with #KevinBall
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Like being hit by a cannonball' - who Smith sees as Sunderland's hardest
Throughout Thursday, we have been revealing the players that ex-Sunderland attacker Martin Smith has picked as the Black Cats' all-time toughest the top spot goes to...?Well, in the former player's words: "There can only be one number one" - and that is former captain Kevin Ball."I think some of the hardest players in the country have said that he is the hardest player they have ever played against," Smith explained on BBC Radio Newcastle. "As soon as you mention hard men, it has to be Kevin Ball."I remember Vinnie Jones saying he was the hardest opponent he ever played against. It has been said many times that he trained the way he played, which was horrendous for us fair players!"Unless you have been on the end of one of his tackles, it is hard to describe what it was like. It was like being hit by a cannonball. The force he could tackle with used to just send shivers through you."So here is the final list of Sunderland's top five hard men, according to Smith:Kevin BallJohn KayGary BennettLee HoweyLee CattermoleDo you agree with this list or is there someone else that ought to have been thrown into the mix?Let us know hereListen back to the full discussion on BBC Sounds
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ball's advice for Sunderland in second leg
Sunderland legend Kevin Ball has imparted wisdom for Regis Le Bris' side ahead of their Championship play-off semi-final second leg against Coventry. The former Black Cats captain told BBC Radio Newcastle, "I would imagine the players are really looking forward to it. I'm really looking forward to watching the game. "Nerves? I think the result they got down at Coventry was outstanding. I think the team's performance was excellent. "How I'd like to think they feel now, possibly is nervous, but nervous excitement and really looking forward to the game. I think it's natural."He added: "Some players it doesn't phase at all and I think they deal with it in the way they do and you have to commend them on that. "Other players will have a feeling of (nerves), sometimes it inhibits them to want to be the best they can be. There's all different emotions players go through. "The biggest thing you've got to do in my opinion is literally forget about the last game. Learn from it but forget about it and just do your best in the next game."[Former Sunderland coach] Bobby Saxton used to say to us: 'Do what you do best and do it well'."And if they do that tonight, they'll win the game."Listen to more from Kevin Ball on BBC Sounds.
