Jack Ball was born in Brighton in 1923. He joined Brighton & Hove Albion from Vernon Athletic in 1940 as an amateur, and turned professional three years later. In March 1943, he joined the RAF, and when competitive football resumed after the war, he made his debut in the Third Division South in October 1946.
He broke his wrist a year later, losing his place to Harry Baldwin, and the two shared the position until 1952 when Baldwin left the club. Jack himself left in 1953 and joined Hastings United of the Southern League, He helped Hastings reach the third round of the FA Cup in both 1953-54 and 1954-55 and remained on their books until the early 1960s.
Jack played 164 matches for the Seagulls between 1940 and 1953.