I’ll probably get slated, but I don’t believe youngsters should be used as ballboys, I’d go for players from the under 14’s up, boys that have some knowledge of the game, know when to slow up the return of the ball etc
My grandson is a member of the Junior Dees, 9 years old.
He was selected last Wednesday for the position of ball boy for the Rangers game, despite the scoreline,
he thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.
I received an e mail last night, from the Community Trust, that due to safety concerns, junior Dees will no longer
be considered for the position of ball boys, and only the in house ball boys will be selected.
So well done to Rangers fans for spoiling the dreams of youngsters.
I’ll probably get slated, but I don’t believe youngsters should be used as ballboys, I’d go for players from the under 14’s up, boys that have some knowledge of the game, know when to slow up the return of the ball etc
I agree. Was it not Brian Clough that started that and it wasn't even the u14s but older lads? At the start of a game, plenty of ballboys. If Derby/Forest were down even more and working furiously to get the ball back in play but if ahead they downed tools, went on a go slow or disappeared altogether.
100% agree but as the OP says it's a bit of a thrill for the youngsters to be involved, that opportunity's now been taken away from them due to the behaviour of certain away fans and it's difficult to disagree with that decision after last week. Maybe a hybrid approach would've been better with younger Junior Dees helping out the older ones and being restricted to in front of home support only when the away end is busier?
MY older grandson, u/14s was a ballboy at the United v Rangers game at Tannadice last season,
All the ballboys were withdrawn in the final quarter of the game because of the language and threats to individual ballboys from Rangers
supporters.