Player Profile

A striker who signed a six-month loan deal from Manchester City in July 2010, Ball made his Town debut on the opening day of the season in a 2-1 home defeat to Brighton - manager Danny Wilson choosing to play him as a left-sided attacking midfielder, after stating that he wanted to protect the youngster from the physical nature of League One - perhaps hoping to emulate the success that ex-loanee Danny Ward had from this position the previous season. However, possibly due to the fact that Ball was right-footed and out of position, he looked like a fish out of water during his first appearances for Swindon - and quickly found himself relegated to the substitutes' bench.

It wasn't until October that Ball was given a chance in his usual position, and he netted a goal in a Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie against Torquay, and with Charlie Austin injured and others out of form, he retained his place in the side, going on to score a brace of well-taken finishes in a 5-4 defeat at Peterborough. When Austin returned, Ball partnered him for a couple of games - and though the Town scored five in those games, Ball didn't, and they conceded five as well - prompting Wilson to make further changes, preferring Vincent Péricard to Ball.

Ball made just seven more substitute appearances, plus one start against Bournemouth on New Years' Day, before his loan deal expired, and with Manchester City not impressed with his lack of game time, he returned to Eastlands. Before the transfer window closed, Ball signed a permanent deal with Peterborough - and he was quick to suggest that Swindon hadn't seen the best of him, due to his being played out of position.

Playing Record

Senior

Reserve and Youth Team Appearances

Note that appearance data for reserve and youth teams may not be complete. Expand for more information.

Career details

Club	Details
Prestwich Marauders Prestwich Marauders	(youth)
Manchester City Man City	1997 (youth) July 2009 (signed professional contract); transferred out (January 31st, 2011)
Swindon Town Swindon	July 19th, 2010 (loan); expired (rptd January 10th, 2011)
Peterborough United Peterborough United	January 31st, 2011 (transferred in, undisclosed fee); transferred out (rptd July 23rd, 2012)
Rochdale Rochdale	August 31st, 2011 (loan); recalled from loan (October 10th, 2011)
Rochdale Rochdale	November 24th, 2011 (loan); expired (rptd January 15th, 2012)
Fleetwood Town Fleetwood Town	rptd July 23rd, 2012 (transferred in, undisclosed fee); released (2016/7)
Rotherham United Rotherham United	June 22nd, 2017 (unattached); released (2018/9)
Bradford City Bradford	September 3rd, 2018 (loan); expired (2018/9)
Wellington Phoenix Wellington Phoenix	July 12th, 2019 (unattached); released (January 13th, 2025)
Radcliffe Radcliffe	March 28th, 2025 (unattached)