David Ball

DOB 14/12/89

David Ball has established himself as a Wellington Phoenix fan favourite since arriving in the capital in 2019.

The English forward spent the first 10 years of his professional career in the UK and played for Manchester City, Swindon Town, Peterborough United, Rochdale, Fleetwood Town, Rotherham United and Bradford City, scoring 83 goals across 373 matches.

Ball created history in 2015 when he scored a FIFA Puskás nominated goal with his chip against Preston North End – making him only the second Englishman nominated for the esteemed award, behind Wayne Rooney.

He was named the club’s player of the year in his maiden season in Wellington after scoring six goals and providing four assists in 25 matches to help the Phoenix achieve their highest regular season finish of third.

Ball made a further 24 appearances for the Nix in 2021, missing just two matches because of a suspension. He was substituted just six times and played the full 90 for the last half a dozen matches, despite a knee injury. He finished the campaign with six goals and created four others.

He played a key role in Wellington qualifying for the 2021-22 finals, against all odds.

Ball started all but three of the team’s A-League matches, only sitting out games because of suspension and injury.

Despite tearing a ligament in his toe in early April, he played six of the Nix’s final eight matches, including the elimination final defeat to eventual A-League champions Western United.

Ball only scored two goals, but created seven others, with three of his assists coming after he injured his toe.

David Ball signed a two-year contract extension at the end of the season, extending his stay in Wellington through until 2025.

During the 2022-23 season, Ball continued to show his versatility, playing as both a striker and an attacking midfielder.

He remained a key player, starting 21 of the Phoenix’s A-League games. He only scored one goal, but created three, of which two came in the final three games of the season.

> 2023-24 season

David Ball was an important source of experience for a young Phoenix squad during the 2023-24 season.

He featured in all but three A-League matches, consistently playing in a more withdrawn attacking midfield position than previous seasons.

Although he did not score, he set up two goals, including the winner against Melbourne City at Eden Park, and was key to some of the Nix interplay which led to them finishing second on the A-League ladder.