New multiple ball process across the National Leagues.

I’ve just read that the multiball process is to be introduced for all 3 National Leagues from the start of this season. Something else for the Referees to think about, as well as testing their level of fitness throughout the season.

It will be interesting to see how this works in smaller grounds where the ball disappears over small or non-existent stands all the time. Dorking and Peterborough Sports are 2 examples that spring to mind. Hopefully this will come with clear instructions about how ball retrieval and replacement is to be managed.

Feels like another thankless task for 4th officials might be incoming !

Quarryref said:

It will be interesting to see how this works in smaller grounds where the ball disappears over small or non-existent stands all the time. Dorking and Peterborough Sports are 2 examples that spring to mind. Hopefully this will come with clear instructions about how ball retrieval and replacement is to be managed.

Feels like another thankless task for 4th officials might be incoming !

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I feel like it would be balls on cones dotted around and the responsibility of the home club to replace these.
Of course, if the home club are winning narrowly, the replacement of these can be heavily slowed down or stopped, would imagine all the referees can do is add the time on and report it, but the chances are slim that the ball will be lost for a restart in the exact same area 3 or more times in quick succession, so the next ball off the next cone should be able to be retrieved.

Can see it being really difficult, works when there are ball boys to put balls on cones but you won't have an army of these (if any).

Whenever I was AR1 at clubs with athletic tracks I always had to work really hard as they really tried to exploit it. If they were losing or drawing they'd constantly try to chuck a new ball on even though the referee hadn't asked for one. As soon as they went ahead the ball bag mysteriously disappeared and you'd have more chance of finding an honest MP than a football. I had to get the referee over several times, especially at one particular club who were notorious for it, used to cause major arguments with the away teams.