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4 unusual facts about Tommy Ball


1923–24 in English football

On 11 November 1923, Aston Villa centre-half Tommy Ball was shot dead by his neighbour, thus becoming the only Football League player to have been murdered.

Tommy Ball

The jury rejected this argument, returning a verdict of "wilful murder", and Stagg was committed for trial at Stafford Assizes.

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Stagg was refused leave to appeal, but his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment as part of the reforms introduced by the newly elected Labour Government.

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The murder trial was heard in February 1924 in front of Mr. Justice Rowlatt.



see also