For a football-mad kid, watching their heroes from the stands is one thing. Standing pitchside, close enough to hear the shouts and see the sweat, handing the ball back to a player mid-match well that's a completely different level of experience and that is exactly what being a ball boy or ball girl offers. We explored how children can get this opportunity and we were surprised at some clubs it's easier than you might think. 

So, How Does My Child Become a Ball Boy or Ball Girl?

Here's the first thing to know: there isn't one single way in. Every club runs it differently, which means the first step is finding out how your local club does things and not assuming it works the same everywhere.

From our own research, broadly speaking clubs tend to fall into one of three camps:

1. Through the club's junior supporters' scheme Many clubs recruit ball boys and girls from their official junior fan club or academy, rather than taking applications from the general public. Arsenal, for example, invites members of its Junior Gunners club to pre-selection trials. If your child is already a member of your club's junior supporters' scheme, that's often the most direct route in. Junior supporter schemes are definitely worth exploring as some offer other great match day incentives for young fans. 

2. A direct written or online application Some clubs run their own application process for supporters generally. Reading FC, for instance, asks parents to write in with the child's name, date of birth, and parent/guardian contact details, addressed to the club's Football Administrator, this is followed by mandatory training sessions before matchday. Other clubs, like Boston United, have advertised open call-outs for ball boys and girls aged 10 and up ahead of a new season.

3. No public application at all Some clubs simply don't offer a route in for the public. Newcastle United, for example, states plainly that these roles are allocated internally rather than through an application process  

If this is the case for your club, it's not personal,  it just means that particular door is closed, and it's worth looking at what else the club offers young fans instead.

It's also worth knowing that at some clubs, the role is reserved specifically for academy players rather than being open to fans generally, so if your child isn't in the academy set-up, that particular door may not be available at every ground.

The practical takeaway: none of this is standardised, so if it's something your child would love to do, the only real way to find out is to research your own club specifically, check their official website or contact supporter services / the ticket office directly, ideally before the season starts, since spots are often decided in the close season. Don't assume "no obvious sign-up page" means "not possible" sometimes it just means asking is the only way to find out.

What to Expect if They're Selected

Most clubs set the age range somewhere between 10 and 16, though this varies. If your child is picked, it's not just a case of turning up on the day. Typically:

• They'll attend a training session covering positioning, the rules that affect their role, and what to do in unusual situations.
• They'll arrive at the ground hours before kickoff and get a pre-match briefing.
  

Because the role involves under-16s, reputable clubs run this alongside proper safeguarding procedures, a named safeguarding officer, vetted staff, and clear ways for parents to raise questions. If a club's process feels vague or informal, that's worth being cautious about.

From the Touchline to the Pitch: Pros Who Started as Ball Boys

Part of what makes this experience special is that, for a few, it really was the beginning of something bigger:

• Phil Foden shared his own "how it started, how it's going" moment — a photo of himself as a Manchester City ball boy alongside one of him scoring for the club years later, which went viral among fans.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Pep Guardiola was a ball boy for Barcelona in his youth before going on to captain and later manage the club — old photos show him on the touchline during a title celebration.

• Wayne Rooney began as a ball boy and matchday mascot for Everton at age nine, years before making his first-team debut for the club.

None of this is a guarantee, obviously, but it's a nice reminder for kids that some of the game's biggest names started in exactly the same spot they might be standing in.

The Bottom Line

Getting your child pitchside as a ball boy or girl isn't about a quick sign-up form, it takes a bit of digging into how your specific club handles it, and sometimes a bit of patience waiting for the right window (usually pre-season). But for a kid who lives and breathes their club, it's a matchday experience that's hard to top.

And if you've done the research and found your club only recruits internally, it's not the end of the road. It's worth taking a look at the other perks that come with being a Junior Supporter, and matchday mascot packages are another genuinely memorable experience they get your child right up close and personal with the players, walking out onto the pitch alongside them before kickoff.

Know your local club's process for ball boys/girls? Let us know in the comments — we'd love to build a list for grassroots and EFL clubs across the UK.