What is your response?Hi Everyone i have known Tommy ball since 1967 i can remember him from Salisbury street near Peter street he had a work shop there we used to live in 6 Salisbury street and I think he had a polish family working with him repairs shoes he was a gentle man hard working. Then he opened a shop

What is your response?£ 3 quid cowboy Boots that I couldn't walk in looked a bit of a tool but didn't care.

What is your response?Tommy Ball never had a Rolls Royce not in the 70's, he had a Mercedes in the 70's and 80's, and there are many things I could say about him but its a shame to disillusion so many admirers, so I will let them keep their rose tinted glasses on, its a long time ago now since his family had the displeasure of him, and out of respect for Mary his long suffering wife thats all I have to say

What is your response?Tommy Balls was good for our family. He employed my mother and three sisters jobs and both myself and my brother played football for Tommy Balls. He was a great man.

What is your response?We travelled in the early 70s from Bury to buy Tommy's shoes with the holes in the backs! Some great bargains on good quality shoes back then!

What is your response?He once gave me and Clare Shorrocks £10 when we bumped into him in the shop - my gran used to make his cups of tea when he was on Blackburn market And that’s back when a tenner was a lot of money.

What is your response?First day back at school after summer hols and your mates checking each others shoes for the little tell tale holes on the back of the shoes showing your mums been to Tommy's for your new school shoes, then the piss takes begin. We also had a song! Tommy balls, Tommy balls ya can tell by the holes! I remeber getting some 6" platform shoes in the 1970's walking round school at 14 years old and 6'4" tall.

What is your response?Doing "The Tommy Ball Shuffle" to look at school shoes in the mirror cos you couldn't cut the string off until you'd bought them.

What is your response?Being ridiculed at school for being forced to wear Tommy Ball shoes when the hole at the back of the shoes could be seen. The shoes never fit properly and a lot of them were frankly hideous.

What is your response?I remember this dude well, back in the seventies I had a business just a quarter mile away .I remember one day I went into a store with my with my wife and two boys ,he was there ,he talked to us and left giving my boys couple of bucks. Also his son n law use to buy from my store. I would say that he was a wonderful human being.

What is your response?I used to get some great shoes there as a teenager. Then I suddenly became allergic to the smell of leather and passed out in the shop. After that my mum would go in and bring out shoes she thought I'd like so I could choose. They were very comfortable and long lasting, especially the boots. I always got some for the winter. Wish the shop was still there as it's not easy to get such comfy shoes any more without spending a fortune.

What is your response?Loved going to Tommy Ball’s. it was always packed and had a great selection of shoes which we sometimes had to fight for!

What is your response?I fondly remember going to a fancy dress party dressed as a kinky vicar (complete with high heels & fishnet stockings!) But where could I possibly buy size 11 gold platform shoes? The top floor of Tommy Balls of course, where they had a complete section of men's sized women's shoes! Funniest moment being when I had a puncture on the way to the party (yes, I managed to drive in 7" heels!) & I got out of the car to change the tyre...... ????

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The shoes....

What is your response?Hi I come from Pakistan to live in haslingden eight miles away from Blackburn in 1987 .that day we go Tommy ball shop to buy branded shoes very reasonable price

What is your response?I bought my first pair of grown up sling back shoes for half a crown from Tony's shop on Victoria street. It took me 30 minutes to untangle them from all the other shoes on the rack.

What is your response?I have memories growing up of having regular visits to the shop to get shoes for school. My father would take us for a day out as it was such a huge shop, vast with racks and racks of different styled footwear. As far as I thought, Tommy Balls shoe shop was the only shoe shop in Blackburn as its the only place we shopped for shoes. We knew we would get the perfect shoe there. Good memories with my dad.

What is your response?we grew up in shoes from Tommy balls. My mum would take us here and always gey what we needed. I remember the shoes would all be hung up in pairs over the bars with the string that went from one shoe to another hole punched through. the place was always busy and the price was good.

What is your response?I worked in both his shop and his home down Ribchester, one of his favourite contractors was Carole Smith, the local prostitute he used to pickup.

What is your response?Tommy was a legend always kind and good with people.

What is your response?The strong smell of shoes and them furry black chimps hung on top turning

What is your response?We had most of our shoes from Tommy Balls, could always tell with the holes at the back. He donated shoes to local children's home allowing them to select their own, especially sandals for their holiday. Great memories.

What is your response?Tommy ball use to come too our house in the 70's he would come in his rollse Royce we had too take our shoe off before getting in the car we would go for a drive me my brothers and sisters .he would fetch us all shoes and give all us kids £5.00 each and he would put money in our electric and take my mum and dad food shopping he wanted to marry my oldest sister in the 70's but she said no we lived on mereclough Avenue blackburn when he use too visit us he also use too buy all our family clothes,my mum use too work at the factory not the shop my mum use too put wrinkles in our hair the night before he would come too take us all out the next day he was a gentleman and took pride in his car the street we lived on back in 70.s is called hurstwood ave now in blackburn

What is your response?Brilliant shoes children all had shoes. Went in his shop Christmas Eve he gave all children in his shop £1 each lovely man

What is your response?Remember him as a kid, when you saw him in the flesh, you told everybody I've seen Tommy Ball, yes he became legendary. Liked more than a drink and allegedly used to throw his dinner against the wall if things not to his liking. What an entrepreneur back in the day, always had a flash car and almost forgot apparently he would always buy the whole pub a drink, great marketing Mr Ball.

What is your response?I remember hiding in the racking under all the shoes playing hide and seek with the other kids while the parents found the shoes

What is your response?Tommy would see a group of kids playing and go in his pocket and throw his change out fir them. My mum said he was one if the generous guys around. Wouldn't see anyone without. A very respected man. Hid rest his soul.

What is your response?Alot of memories from when I was a child.. About 25 years ago I took my daughter (I have been living in Italy since 1978)... And she loved it ????

What is your response?Doing the official "penguin walk" when you were trying the shoes on, due to the string fastening, with your Mum saying "walk properly!" and you shouting "I am!!!!!"