Elche Football Club announced on Thursday that it has officially decided to implement a change in the role of ball boys at its home games at Martinez Valero Stadium. The club has shifted away from relying on youth volunteers to a system where ball duties are managed by players from the club’s own Franco region through a structured youth training program. This transition marks a new approach for the matchday operation, aligning the ball duties with the club’s broader development strategy for young talent.
The decision has generated mixed reactions, particularly because it was communicated with limited lead time to the previous generation of ball handlers. Some concerns centered on the short notice given to existing ball boys and their families, making it harder for them to adjust and secure season subscriptions for upcoming matches.
In a formal statement, Elche expressed gratitude to the young individuals who previously fulfilled the ball boy role. The club commended their professionalism, dedication, and commitment to matchday duties over the years. The statement explained that the ball duties for the current season would be handled by main squad players from the Franjiverde program, as part of a broader training initiative intended to foster a sense of belonging among young players. The aim is for these aspiring footballers to experience what it feels like to be on the playing field and to encourage fans to recognize that today’s youth players may one day represent the first team.
To address the immediate concern, the Franjiverde organization pledged personal attention to each member of the former ball boy group. The club intends to explore the best solutions to ensure continued access to season subscriptions for those who worked in this role previously. Additionally, Elche CF plans to publicly acknowledge the contributions of the former ball boys during the Festa d’Elx trophy ceremony as part of the Centennial events planned for the season, along with other groups associated with the organization.
Club president Joaquín Buitrago noted that complaints from the former ball handlers may have arisen because the communication window was shorter than ideal, while emphasizing that the club faces many ongoing projects. He stressed that this does not preclude direct dialogue with every party involved to resolve any residual dissatisfaction and to avoid leaving a bad impression on supporters and participants alike.
The ball boys who had been part of the club for years, including notable memories from past seasons, played a role in key moments on the field. One such anecdote involved a ball handler delivering a ball swiftly to a player for a throw which aided a crucial scoring opportunity in a victory that helped secure the team’s place in the top division. A subsequent gesture from the club owner publicly recognizing that action highlighted the importance of even small acts of sportsmanship in building a club’s identity. Under the new arrangement, those individuals will no longer continue in their former capacity, with the club choosing a path that ties on-field performance to youth development and broader community engagement.