Touching the match ball....

[Tony Rodriguez]

12 minutes ago, prof said:

I've been going since the start of the 1957-58 season (but not to so many grounds) and the ball has never been anywhere near me. I was once at Fenway Park and the baseball landed in the row behind me.

Well that knocks me out the park. I shall keep hoping that one day I may touch the ball but it will have to be an away ground now I sit at the back of the Railway Stand (I shall omit the obvious joke).

[Jacko51]

I saw my first league game at St James Park in 1961. Since then I’ve been to over a hundred league grounds what with all the clubs that have left the league and the new ones that have come in. I only recall touching the ball once. It was a pre- season friendly at Kidsgrove and I was in the front row of the seats. The ball came straight at at me and I put out my hands to palm it away. I was severely criticised by those around me for not catching it. 

[WV]

10 hours ago, Warren said:

I've headed a match ball. But it was at Tranmere's Prenton Park. Accurate too. 

But this is the point. Johnny King stand. Very close to the pitch. 

Tranmere is my second team after living on the Wirral for nearly 37 years. 

You never mention it though....

[hamilboy]

I remember on the old lorne street as a young lad sitting on bar with my father behind me and Reg Potts cleared the ball and it hit me in the chest and knocked me backwards luckily my father caught me.Then years later went Torquay just standing watching the vale warm up and Taylor another left back hit this ball and hit me straight in the face at least i got his shirt after the match for my grandson.I only hope if it comes in three's the next time it will be a Gavin Massey shot cause i know that will not hurt.

[Gungho_ED]

22 hours ago, Warren said:

I've headed a match ball. But it was at Tranmere's Prenton Park. Accurate too. 

But this is the point. Johnny King stand. Very close to the pitch. 

Tranmere is my second team after living on the Wirral for nearly 37 years. 

Wow wow wow!

You have done the ultimate crowd touch and headed it back!?!?

That's like locking your coat hanger in the car but having your keys on you.

Outstanding Private Pile

[bobbymanc]

I threw the match ball back to a player at a Congleton Town match in 2021 and got told off by a steward for not being "Covid safe". The ball was supposed to have been sanitised first. Sadly four players died as a result of my disgraceful behaviour.

[Warren]

26 minutes ago, Gungho_ED said:

Wow wow wow!

You have done the ultimate crowd touch and headed it back!?!?

That's like locking your coat hanger in the car but having your keys on you.

Outstanding Private Pile

My best effort at Port Vale was a clean two handed catch of an incoming ball. Then an accurate throw back to our player to get on with the game qyickly as we approached the last few minutes. I proud of that one because some of the crowd thought I'd done well. 

[Gungho_ED]

14 hours ago, prof said:

I've been going since the start of the 1957-58 season (but not to so many grounds) and the ball has never been anywhere near me. I was once at Fenway Park and the baseball landed in the row behind me.

66 years...when the Beatles released Sgt Pepper.

That's got to be a record 

[Jeffporthill]

I was at the old wembley stadium to watch England V Brazil in the 90s, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and the likes. the ball came straight at me, unfortunately I was in the cheap seats at the front with no back on them and as I reached up to catch the ball I fell backwards into the row behind and got a big cheer from a packed stadium.

[smithie]

Do any old-timers recall the time Andy Jones hit the ball into the Bycars, the ref blew for full time and the ball was stolen? 

[barny61]

I did touch the matchball in the sixties when John Rowland hit one of his rockets just over the bar, it hit me on the thigh with a loud slap and was very close to where it would have been a lot more painful ! Of course everybody around me found it amusing. 

[prof]

21 hours ago, Gungho_ED said:

66 years...when the Beatles released Sgt Pepper.

That's got to be a record 

No, Sergeant Pepper was 1967, ten years later. My (now) wife bought it on the day Celtic won the European Cup in Lisbon

[Smugsy]

I touched the match ball at Mansfield in the Carabao Cup earlier this season. The ball bounced towards me at head height. I got my hands to it but it slipped from my grasp and went behind me. The next day I was offered a two year contract at Stoke!

[fuzzyvalefan]

A few times. Never managed to head it back but remains a lifelong dream. Got close once but some <ovf censored> behind me took it right of my head. Was devastated.

[JohnJames]

Impossible to tell which one is the match ball now, bit like Stoke fans, they all look the same