The Phoenix and Ball have mutually agreed to terminate the remaining six months of his contract, ending his successful five and a-half years at the club.
The affable English forward arrived in Wellington in July 2019 and leaves a Nix great. He is one of just 16 men to play 100 A-League games for the club and he helped the team reach the finals in four of his five full seasons.
Ball scored 15 goals and assisted 26 others for the Phoenix in all competitions, while endearing himself to fans with his tireless workrate.
"It’s been a tough call to make,” he said.
"There have been a lot of tears coming to this decision, as the Phoenix have been a huge part of mine and my family’s life.
"I’ve put my heart and soul into the club since I got here and I’ve fallen in love with the Nix, the people around it and the fans.
"It’s probably been the toughest decision of my career.”
Ball made an instant impact in the capital and was named player of the year in 2020 after scoring six goals and setting up four others to help the Nix to what was their highest regular-season finish of third.
As one of two vice-captains, he remained a key part of last season’s record-breaking team that narrowly missed out on the premiership and fell just short of a maiden grand final appearance.
"I wanted to help solidify the Phoenix as a club that regularly plays in the finals and challenges for titles.
"We’ve surpassed every bit of history the club’s had since I arrived and I believe I’ve left the club in a better place than when I first came to it.
"I think ... the most important thing to me is that I’m remembered for being in those sides that created history.”
Ball plans to take a break with his family before deciding his next step but has made it clear he is not hanging up his boots.
"I haven’t made that decision yet. I want a bit of time to digest leaving the Phoenix because there are a lot of emotions.
"I’ll do that with family and make the right decision for our future, but it definitely isn’t the end for my time in New Zealand.
"The club’s been fantastic with me throughout this process. We’ve finished on great terms and if the opportunity comes to be part of the football club in the future, I’d jump at the opportunity.
Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill thanked Ball for his immense contribution to the club.
"Bally is the ultimate pro,” Gill said.
"He’s been a tremendous role model for the players coming through our academy and has been influential in the team’s success over the past five years.
‘‘He’s also been incredibly professional in how he’s conducted himself through what has been a difficult process."
Club captain Alex Rufer said Ball had been a fantastic team-mate.
"When Bally first arrived, it took me a little bit of time to get used to his English banter,” Rufer said.
"But we’ve developed a very close friendship. We went through possibly the toughest time any footballer has had to go through, relocating to Australia for two seasons, and Bally played a key role in keeping the group together.
"He gave everything for the team and he was also a massive part of the success we had last season."
— APL
