How many times on Boxing Day did our players have to go and get the ball back when it went out? Who is in charge of the ball boys/girls? What kind of instructions are they given? How hard can it be to get 10 or so switched on young lads/lasses with the awareness to get the ball back sharpish if we are behind and slowly if we are in the lead?

(I know that this is a small thing given the other problems we have but it seems indicative of the lack of preparation as a whole.)

Who’s gonna pay for them? Don’t you know we’re short of cash at the moment?

Thing is, would they need paying? Ask some young lads to do it for free but they get to watch the match for free as well. Maybe chuck in a Twix (ok, not that much then)?

I was just as cheesed off when the ball went out for a goal kick, rolling down to the corner of the BL/JM.

I have a recollection of the ball person stood behind a barrier looking at it so the game was delayed whilst Barnes or Wood ran over to retrieve it despite it at one point being a foot away from the Assistant Referee who simply watched it whilst walking back to take up his position

Is there a law that prevents them from acting sensibly in the spirit of the game?.

I would just get a big tarpaulin sheet thrown over the goal were defending and let the game flow tbh!

It does seem that way - it appears to be against the law for the assistant ref to kick the ball back, even if it is right next to them. (Actually, I bet there is a rule like this).

Foulthrow wrote:Thing is, would they need paying? Ask some young lads to do it for free but they get to watch the match for free as well. Maybe chuck in a Twix (ok, not that much then)?

As much as I agree with you, it wouldn't be long before someone on here was atop a soapbox slating the Club for exploitation of child labour

Foulthrow wrote:It does seem that way - it appears to be against the law for the assistant ref to kick the ball back, even if it is right next to them. (Actually, I bet there is a rule like this).

Ridiculous isn't it!
Probably to do with them getting injured

Do we actually have boys/girls on match day duty any more as I couldn't see any during the Liverpool game?

It used to be the youth team didn't it. I can't say I notice anymore.

The ballboys are looked after by the BFC in the community now I think and they ask for volunteers from the shadow squad. Some want to do it whilst others don't and the numbers are currently the problem. I used to be involved and had a group of lads who wanted to do it but the rules that were given out became too much for some so they stopped doing it. To see lads without jackets in the freezing cold, unable to eat a hot pie pitchside without being ordered to stop became too much

Would have thought youngsters would be begging to do it, I would like to hear from some parents on here about the subject please?

There was also a rule brought in that kids had to be 16 to ballboy at night games. This was brought about by the child employment laws

When Cotterill came in he got members of the youth team to do the job although that was when we were using the multi-ball system

Just to clarify that the Assistant Referee is exactly that and does not act as a ball boy.
If he/she did it once and then didn't do it again they would get stick for helping one team or another, it is as simple as that. Let''s face it, they get enough stick as it is so why should they give fans another reason to have a go at them.

It was very noticeable that several of our players went to retrieve the ball for Everton goalkicks and that should not be the case.

Needs sorting out, our players shouldn't be legging it around chasing a dead ball like they're playing on Towneley

I'm sure there's reasons why but they're crap and pretty much useless unless the ball rolls directly to them.

Seemed to be a few more in attendance yesterday although the one in front of the longside, nearest the cricketfield looked like he was straight from primary school

Cannot believe we now have people moaning about Ballboys/girls....

Comedy gold

They’re probably not allowed to obstruct the electronic advertisements!

In fairness it may seem a bit petty, but it is a valid point. I noticed at Wembley v Spurs the other week how much the ball boys (girls?) had actually been clearly schooled to throw the ball back immediately to their players whilst it was 0-0 and were scurrying to do so, but not to ours AND how this all changed the instant they grabbed the lead and Spurs wanted to slow things down. It's not a tactic we seem to employ tbh, but the nature of our advertising boards makes it more difficult maybe.

I did it as youngster, free entry and close to your third division heroes

There used to be a waiting list to be a ballboy. What's changed?

Foulthrow wrote:How many times on Boxing Day did our players have to go and get the ball back when it went out? Who is in charge of the ball boys/girls? What kind of instructions are they given? How hard can it be to get 10 or so switched on young lads/lasses with the awareness to get the ball back sharpish if we are behind and slowly if we are in the lead?

(I know that this is a small thing given the other problems we have but it seems indicative of the lack of preparation as a whole.)

They played very well for a change. We were WINNING. Why rush? They have done the opposite of what we require for years. Well played.

Sorry just realised you were talking about Boxing Day.

It such a simple thing to sort out, I can't believe that the Club have not dealt with it. We are a Premie League Club and we can't sort out organising ball boys/girls, it's almost laughable.

I remember Kyle Lafferty being a ballboy while on the youth team.When did this idea stop?

South West Claret. » Fri Dec 28, 2018 10:54 pm
" I would like to hear from some parents on here about the subject please?"

I asked my lad whether he wanted to do it and he said no! Mind you he's fifty, but his lad who is twenty-one said no too.

Bosscat wrote:Cannot believe we now have people moaning about Ballboys/girls....

Comedy gold

So its funny to see our players run after the ball to give it back to the opposition?
It is a lack of basic organisation and makes us look like amateurs, as well as helping the opposition to waste time.
Also, the ball boys we have look totally disinterested.
As said earlier, how hard can it be to get enthusiastic 15/16 year olds from schools or local youth organisations.

Bosscat wrote:Cannot believe we now have people moaning about Ballboys/girls....

Comedy gold

Ooooo I can, nothing surprises me anymore

Siddo wrote:So its funny to see our players run after the ball to give it back to the opposition?
It is a lack of basic organisation and makes us look like amateurs, as well as helping the opposition to waste time.
Also, the ball boys we have look totally disinterested.
As said earlier, how hard can it be to get enthusiastic 15/16 year olds from schools or local youth organisations.

Here is an anathema... enthusiastic 15/16 year olds

It was a joke lighten up ffs