LESLEY BALL, wife of Saints and England legend Alan, has lost her long, brave battle against cancer.

She died at a Basingstoke Clinic in the early hours today with all her family around her.

Lesley, who was 57, had been at the clinic several weeks after undergoing pioneering surgery for ovarian cancer.

It was a last, courageous attempt to beat the cancer which was first diagnosed three three years ago - at same time as her daughter Mandy was found to have breast cancer.

Both mother and daughter responded to treatment and were given the all clear, but for Lesley, it proved only a temporary reprieve.

She and Alan were childhood sweethearts in their native Lancashire and had been married for over 36 years.

They have two daughters and a son and it was with a heavy heart that one of football's most loveable characters announced from his Warsash home: "My lovely wife Lesley passed away very early this morning at 20 minutes to three, after a three-year fight against cancer.

She's been incredibly brave and been through things lesser mortals wouldn't understand - it's just incredible what she's been through.

"She passed away very calmly with all her children around her and her brother Chris and Debbie his wife.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who have been concerned about her wellbeing these three years. All the well-wishers, the people who have been with her, helping her fight, and I'm sure she would want me to thank everybody on her behalf. Thank you very much.''

Former Saints manager Lawrie McMenemy, who was a close friend of the family, said: "Everyone close to Alan and Lesley know she has she has been ill for quite a time.

"She has so many battling qualities and we all hoped that she would win the fight. Sadly that wasn't to be.

"Lesley was a fantastic mum and wife and a great support to Alan right through his career as a player then a manager and in his media work as well.

"She had a very bubbly personality and the memory of her laughter and her energy will live on with all of us. She would light up a room when she entered it.

"No words can convey the sadness that many of their friends will feel today.

"Our thoughts go out to all the family."