Ball Becomes a Citizen

Pitching in Southern League Division One Central club Welwyn Garden City, whose crucial game at home to Berkhamsted was postponed on Tuesday night due to a waterlogged pitch, had a new signing set to make his debut.

Midfielder Matt Ball joins the Citizens from Southern League Premier Division South side Hendon, Hendon, although he has been out of action for several months with a serious knee injury.

The 28-year-old is a former professional, having played for Norwich City and Stevenage Borough and has six caps for Northern Ireland under-21s.

He joined Southern Premier Central club Biggleswade Town in May 2018 from Hendon before returning to the Greens in July 2020.

His other previous clubs include Boreham Wood, Farnborough, Wealdstone and St Albans City.

Although Ball has never played for the Citizens before, he has family connections with the playing side of the club.

His dad Tim was a Welwyn Garden City player in the mid-1980s before going on to play with distinction for Stevenage Borough for three seasons, while his youngest brother Phil was in the club’s youth team a few seasons ago.

Ball’s middle brother Dominic is a member of Queens Park Rangers’ promotion-chasing squad in the Championship.

Phil Ravitz

Welwyn Garden City Web Site