Watching games over the weekend, it would appear the answer is "three."
I notice that the 'winter ball' has now been retired and replaced with a new design for 'Spring 2022' rather than simply re-use the balls from last autumn. Sigh.
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Those look like chameleon testicles
All getting a bit silly now. Life was far simpler back in the day. White ball unless snowing then orange ball was used. It all seems to be a bit of a racket now (like most things connected to football these days)
Same as everything else. Companies iterate their products yearly, say their new ball/boot/shirt technology is better than last years, give it a whizzy name, then mid-cycle they release some new colours or "packs" and it makes it seem like they're innovating.
Somewhat amusingly, that 'winter ball' became completely invisible to TV viewers whilst being used in a snow storm that descended on the King Power during a game earlier this season. In some ways, the comedic effect of outfield players and goalkeepers sprinting after and lunging at a totally invisible object enhanced my viewing; it was like watching a piece of post-modern Performance Art theatre. (Although I was utterly baffled when a goal was scored and I had absolutely no idea someone had even had a shot).
I'm not sure that I want to know how you'd attain that kind of information, but I do have to agree with you.
Yup. Fully understand that, and non of us are forced to play along if we chose not to.
Somewhat amusingly, that 'winter ball' became completely invisible to TV viewers whilst being used in a snow storm that descended on the King Power during a game earlier this season. In some ways, the comedic effect of outfield players and goalkeepers sprinting after and lunging at a totally invisible object enhanced my viewing; it was like watching a piece of post-modern Performance Art theatre. (Although I was utterly baffled when a goal was scored and I had absolutely no idea someone had even had a shot).
4mins 15secs onwards on this video....
Great use of a leaf blower at 5.14 minutes
Was it [MENTION=11350]LamieRobertson[/MENTION]?
Yup, maybe there was an element of "Ron Manager" in my post. But the point I was trying and apparently failing to make is that everything about the game has become a money making opportunity. Do we really need 3 different types of match ball in a single season (it may be more, I am sure the FA Cup has it's own version, but may be wrong). 1 ball in 2 colours is all that is really required.
I’m currently watching Forest v Huddersfield (FA Cup) and the ball is different to the 3 in the opening post.