THE Prime Minister and Prince William today gave their tributes to England and Saints legend, Alan Ball.

And the Football Association has confirmed that England's players will wear black armbands as a mark of respect to Ball during their first game at the new Wembley against Brazil on June 1.

Tony Blair's official spokesman said the Prime Minister was ''saddened by Alan Ball's death, and hugely admired him''.

Prince William, who is president of the Football Association, met Ball at the England v Paraguay World Cup match in Germany last year.

A Clarence House spokeswoman said: ''Prince William was saddened to hear of the sudden death of Alan Ball.

''His thoughts and prayers are with Alan's family and his former team-mates and many friends throughout football.'' The 61-year-old died of a heart attack while tackling a fire in his garden.

Firefighters and officers were called to Ball's home in Warsash at 12.15am this morning when his body was discovered outside.

A Hampshire Police spokesman said Mr Ball had been trying to tackle a bonfire that had got out of control when he collapsed and died.

There were no suspicious circumstances around the death, he added.