Obits always start above the line, because it's not really very nice to put a "BS" tag on a death notice. We check obits and clarify the title (if needed) after they've been up a few hours, and the non-music ones go below the line. I changed the title of this one to Obit: Alan Ball, footballer (April 2007). I hope that's acceptable.

It does help if the originator give more than just a name for obits, especially when the name is not known worldwide. But if there IS just a name, we'll fill in the details and date later.

Not to worry. I'm glad it wasn't the musician Alan Bell.

-Joe Offer-