It's a good point. In those games where you're trying to break down a defensive side, time is of the essence and far too many times today it took ages for someone behind that goal to go and pick the ball up. How hard can it be to co-ordinate them evenly at each end?
Exactly. Even with some of them supposively not turning up today, was it really a good idea to put four behind one goal and none behind the other and took until the 70th minute for the guy in charge of them to walk around there and sort it (after telling fans to ssh)
Cortez Good point the lad at the south west corner struggled to take his hands out of his pockets and didn't know when to get a move on or slow down. If they are academy players it's seriously worrying.Sign that young Welsh ball boy he knew how to manage a game.
The only bit I don't get is how did anyone know who's in charge of the ball boys and how were fans able to communicate with him audibly?
Most of them (not all) look as though they don't want to be there enduring the cold. Surely it's in their best interests to help the first team in whatever way they can. If you're on the front door, speed up getting the ball back in play and if a breather is needed, take time to bring it back.
He was an oldish guy in City attire walking around where they sit talking to each ballboy as he passed them. Somebody saw him talking to one of them and shouted to the guy to move some from the North stand to the South. He put his hand up to silence the two fans and then promptly told them to ssh before walking on to the next ball boy. He eventually got to the North stand and told two of them to move.
It's Frank. please log in to view this image Frank Donoghue Kit Logistics Manager Currently the longest-serving member of staff on the club’s books, Frank has been an employee of Hull City since way back in 1984! He played a key role in starting-up the Tigers’ Centre of Excellence 20 years ago, which has now developed into the current Academy set-up. Frank is in charge of all kit organisation and management within the Academy: ordering and supplying new kit, managing match and training-day kit for all ages and acting as Kit Man for all Academy sides. On top of all those responsibilities, Frank is also the resident handyman in the Academy set-up as well as organising the ball-boys for first team fixtures. http://www.hulltigersacademy.com/academy-information/people
I'm assuming that was the 'little ****er' in front of me in E6, and if so I can confirm his total ****erishness. Never have I seen such shiote ball boys, wtf's going on City?
Ooooh ya ****er. I saw the little turd lolloping slowly with his hands in his pockets, flicking his Barry Styles fringe en route to collecting the ball. Like it was beneath him. You're a Ball boy son, you collect balls. It's in your job title. I stood up and shouted at him, must have looked a bit mental but he needed telling.
Total joke wasn't it, how many kids sat at the front would love a chance at it. I couldn't believe there was 1 ball boy for the South stand
Just as bad was the sight of a city fan in the east stand throwing the ball back in record time to a qpr player in time added on.
That was him. Fair enough if the fans were having a go at him that he told them to ssh but they only shouting to move the kids (not in an aggressive way). Don't know why he reacted the way he did to them.
I saw this. Although I thought it went to the QPR fans. That's how it looked from where I was sat but it was hard to tell, with both sets of fans being stood up, where the divide was.
Anyone remember the goal Villa scored against us back a few season ago?....Duke came out of his area to clear the through ball (which he does)....However the quick thinking ball boy throws the new ball (they were playing multiple balls at the time I think) to a Villa player straight away... he then throws it in for another Villa player to knock it in the empty net as Duke runs back! That should be training 101 for all of our ball boys. One of them did do the right thing in added time though, just dropped the ball where he was (in front of the north stand) when it was McGregor's goal kick...although I don't know if that was at McGregor's instructions?
I was there...Milner got it from the throw in and hit it over Dukes head and in... Then there were the Sheff Utd ball boys who had been trained in the dark arts, like throwing 2 balls on to slow down the play and it worked... Our ball boys have there hands down their trousers half the time checking their balls.
I can't remember what game it was but I remember McGregor getting annoyed at a ball boy taking his time, doing the shuffled run with their hands in their pockets which is barely faster than walking pace. Too bothered about looking cool, they need some training in to how to read the game and they need to be on their feet and half way to the ball before it goes out, especially if we've got the momentum. Just like the crowd getting behind the team, if everyones working for the good of the team on and off the pitch that can surely only help.