Ball boys/girls

[Claretforever]

I remember when I first started attending in the late 80’s as a kid, and really wanting to be a ball boy. They used to all run out in their grey jogging suits together, the guy on the mic used to say “ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm welcome to our ball boys”....as they all ran into the centre circle, and the waved to all sides of the ground before taking their positions. Other kids looked on in awe.

I never did become a ball boy, but what has struck me is that we are missing a trick. Not only do we not have ball boys anymore(if they are they sit and do nothing), we don’t make them special. We used to make them look really important and make other kids interested in becoming one. They used to have to join the Junior Clarets to become one. Is that still going? Surely it’s a way of getting kids into our club and junior clubs?

[Rileybobs]

You know it’s been a bad day when you’re moaning about ball boys, but the one where Crouch had to run across the pitch to retrieve the ball back for a Palace goal kick at 3-1 when chasing the game took the biscuit. There was a ball boy 10 yards away sat on his arse watching.

[cricketfieldclarets]

I remember when I first started attending in the late 80’s as a kid, and really wanting to be a ball boy. They used to all run out in their grey jogging suits together, the guy on the mic used to say “ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm welcome to our ball boys”....as they all ran into the centre circle, and the waved to all sides of the ground before taking their positions. Other kids looked on in awe.

I never did become a ball boy, but what has struck me is that we are missing a trick. Not only do we not have ball boys anymore(if they are they sit and do nothing), we don’t make them special. We used to make them look really important and make other kids interested in becoming one. They used to have to join the Junior Clarets to become one. Is that still going? Surely it’s a way of getting kids into our club and junior clubs?

We do have them. And they are dreadful. We actually commented on it today. A few times we needed the ball in quickly. If the all didn't come right to the kid they couldn't be arsed.

Utterly pointless having them if they are going to sit there and do nothing.

[cricketfieldclarets]

You know it’s been a bad day when you’re moaning about ball boys, but the one where Crouch had to run across the pitch to retrieve the ball back for a Palace goal kick at 3-1 when chasing the game took the biscuit. There was a ball boy 10 yards away sat on his arse watching.

It actually was noticeably bad though and not the first time. Thought it was just us who had noticed.

[fanzone]

Lazy are the youth of today

[DCWat]

Heaton ran to the Longside at one point to retrieve the ball.

[MT03ALG]

The ball boys at Old Trafford last week were under instruction to return the ball slowly to the Liverpool players. Ours need to be instructed as to what a football look likes and to move their arses from their stools when they recognise that a football is in their vicinity. There was enough time wasted from the first minute onwards by the cyncical Palace superstars without being aided and abetted by our non-ball boys.

[Spijed]

It actually was noticeably bad though and not the first time. Thought it was just us who had noticed.

You would have thought SD would have clear instructions for them to be on their toes when we are losing and nowhere to be seen when we are winning.

[South West Claret.]

Lazy are the youth of today

Yep and take after a lot off their parents unfortunately.

[tim_noone]

There's a white haired chap at turf moor its his ball and he won't let it out of his site..sprints after it religiously at half time and full time and as been doing so for a couple of seasons he stopped short of wrestling it off mike Dean last week who was getting dogs abuse off pochetino the kids are probably sh!t scared of him.seems like Hitler we only have one ball....embarrassing.

[IanMcL]

I thought we had done away with ballboys. Not seen one.

Appalling, if they just sit. Replacement needed.

[tim_noone]

There's a white haired chap at turf moor its his ball and he won't let it out of his sight sprints after it religiously at half time and full time and as been doing so for a couple of seasons he stopped short of wrestling it off mike Dean last week who was getting dogs abuse off pochetino the kids are probably sh!t scared of him.seems like Hitler we only have one ball....embarrassing.

Against Wolves What's this guy all about? I know footballs are worth a few quid.... But were worth Millions why the F this guys running round panic stricken to retrieve the ball on match Days? Is it included in the Annual Accounts? I just find it Bizarre....

[RammyClaret61]

Against Wolves What's this guy all about? I know footballs are worth a few quid.... But were worth Millions why the F this guys running round panic stricken to retrieve the ball on match Days? Is it included in the Annual Accounts? I just find it Bizarre....

I think you’ll probably find that the matchball is presented to the matchball sponsor. It will be to make sure they get the actual ball used. You wouldn’t like to pay £xxx amount only to be given some random ball that’s never seen a premier league game. But I’m only assuming all of that, I don’t actually know.

[beddie]

Always thought we've missed a trick with this. Find a group of young people that can be educated to retrieve the ball quickly when required and to know when to slow it down. Make the group feel special and involve them. I'm sure some clubs do this and it can be an advantage to that home club.

[IanMcL]

If we have ball boys, they should be sacked. I have never seen one break cover.

We do need them....real ones.

[Claret Till I Die]

Always thought we've missed a trick with this. Find a group of young people that can be educated to retrieve the ball quickly when required and to know when to slow it down. Make the group feel special and involve them. I'm sure some clubs do this and it can be an advantage to that home club.

We did have at one point Beddie, but the club got involved again

[MACCA]

Can we please use the term ball persons or ball people please, they may not like you labelling them.
Who are you to presume their gender.

Cheers.

[Burnley1989]

There's a white haired chap at turf moor its his ball and he won't let it out of his site..sprints after it religiously at half time and full time and as been doing so for a couple of seasons he stopped short of wrestling it off mike Dean last week who was getting dogs abuse off pochetino the kids are probably sh!t scared of him.seems like Hitler we only have one ball....embarrassing.

Cracked me right up that.... hahaha I’ve noticed it for years

[evensteadiereddie]

He probabably sells them on t'eBay.

[Stevebfc40]

My youngest used to do it at Altrincham a couple of seasons ago. They were supplied with Altrincham FC jackets with ball coordinators printed on the back.