Matt Ball

Norwich City

While part of Norwich City's youth system, Ball captained the academy team during the 2010–11 season and featured regularly for the reserves, scoring eight goals in 14 matches. In October 2010, he received his first-team call-up, appearing as an unused substitute in a 2–1 defeat to Crystal Palace. He signed his professional contract, a one-year deal, in the summer of 2011, with manager Paul Lambert praising his attitude and readiness to step up to senior football. During the 2011–12 season, Ball continued to play regularly for the reserves but did not make a senior appearance. He joined League Two club Macclesfield Town on a one-month loan on 15 March 2012, though did not feature and returned to Norwich at the end of the spell. Ball was released by the club at the conclusion of the 2011–12 season, without making a first-team appearance.

Stevenage

Ahead of the 2012–13 season, Ball joined League One club Stevenage on trial and subsequently signed a two-year contract on 19 July 2012. Having not made a first-team appearance during the first half of the season, he was loaned to Conference South club Farnborough on a one-month deal. He made seven appearances and scored once in a 1–0 away win over Eastbourne Borough. Ball returned to Stevenage and made his senior debut for the club on 20 April 2013, coming on as a 75th-minute substitute in a 3–0 defeat to Swindon Town. Ball joined Conference South club Boreham Wood on a six-month loan on 16 August…

Ball represented Northern Ireland at under-17, under-19 and under-21 level.

Ball began his career as an attacking midfielder before transitioning to a holding midfield role. He noted that adapting to non-League football required a shift in approach, moving from a creative, playmaking role in academy football to a more physical and disciplined holding position, which he later established himself in at Biggleswade Town.

Born in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, Ball attended St Columba's College and Easton College. He began playing football with local club Welwyn Pegasus at under-6 level, spending six to seven years there. After attracting interest from Ipswich Town and Tottenham Hotspur, he joined the Norwich City academy at the age of 12 following a successful trial. His father, Tim, played for Stevenage Borough for three years between 1984 and 1987, while his brother Dominic, is also a professional footballer.