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In the bigger scheme of things this might sound trivial,but I really believe the lack of Ballboys at Holker St is a big disadvantage to us,the home team.
Opposing keepers are using this now to slow games down and also waste time.Not only that it also makes us look unprofessional.

Absolutely spot on.

I was saying that yesterday.
And get rid of that segregation

Ballboys are great on a few levels.
They can speed up and slow down the re-introduction of the ball.
They will be the next generation of fans, who will of course bring their own kids in the future.

Think you'd have to call them ball persons nowadays!

Ball Retrieval Operatives? Football Continuity Assistants?

I made a post on this not so long back. Needs to happen asap.

It's something the club and trust are looking at in the foreseeable future, watch this space :flag:

Was this not deemed a health and safety issue, in case the ball boys get hit and hurt by the ball / players leaving the pitch?
I know they have to be located behind barriers (advertising boards) at a higher level.

Yeah – really needs to happen this. Wouldn’t you love to have done that job as a kid?

SlurpyTigga wrote:Was this not deemed a health and safety issue, in case the ball boys get hit and hurt by the ball / players leaving the pitch?
I know they have to be located behind barriers (advertising boards) at a higher level.

I believe it was more a problem of not having anyone suitably qualified (CRB) to supervise them, although the H&S issue may be a factor to consider.

Richard Ingham wrote:

SlurpyTigga wrote:Was this not deemed a health and safety issue, in case the ball boys get hit and hurt by the ball / players leaving the pitch?
I know they have to be located behind barriers (advertising boards) at a higher level.

I believe it was more a problem of not having anyone suitably qualified (CRB) to supervise them, although the H&S issue may be a factor to consider.

just a thought will the people who run the academy/under 18`s be qualified?

regarding ball boys/girls. it is being discussed with the management. the reason they stopped was nothing to do with health and safety, it was because the people looking after them had to be (advanced CRB checked) and nobody willing to take care of them at that time had the clearance. now all the junior coaches have the correct qualifications and are CRB checked their is no H&S reason why they cannot be re-introduced on match days.

Nice one Anthony. Think the issue of H&S was maybe a problem so let us now get on with it and leave the Club to sort.

I said the same thing on Saturday; it is a farcical situation that we are without ball boys/girls. As mentioned above, it might also inspire the boys and girls towards a life-long passion for the club and this could in turn lead to breeding and multiplying amongst their friends (a passion for the club that is).

Although it is better to have youngsters doing the job why, if there are supervision problems, can we not have Ball Men and Ball Women, or even Ball Grandpas and Ball Grandmas? Of course they would need to pass an MOT (Mobility Okay Test) by proving they can cover 20 yards in less than 60 seconds to retrieve the ball.

I began the above para very much TIC but actually - - - the more I think about it - - - seriously - - - - WHY NOT??? Why should adults not be allowed to do this? If supervision problems continue regarding youngsters, then seriously WHY SHOULDN’T ADULTS DO THIS?

(I would be tempted myself but might struggle to pass the MOT at my very advanced age. Interestingly, perhaps Wintergreen’s thwarted dream (see above) could yet be realised???)