Ben Tozer was still able to execute his infamous long throw-ins against MK Dons – despite the English Football League (EFL) introducing a towel ban for the new season.
It was a ‘reality check‘ for Wrexham in their opener against MK Dons. The Red Dragons were defeated 5-3 in a game that has firmly suggested the task they are now up against in League 2 this season.
There are some sides with serious quality, MK Dons included – who showed just what they’re about at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday. Wrexham will need to change something in their football this season if they want any chance of replicating last year’s successes.
However, one thing that (thankfully) will be remaining the same is Ben Tozer’s long throw-ins, which looked in danger of stopping due to the new EFL ‘towel ban’.
READ MORE: Welcome to Wrexham Season 2: Release Date, Where to Watch, Trailer & More
What is the EFL towel ban?
The EFL implemented a new rule that would be implemented when the leagues resumed on August 5th 2023 which stated the following:
- Drying a ball on a towel, or any other item obtained from a member of the crowd, will be prohibited.
This came after much deliberation of the tactic being unsportsmanlike and ‘anti-football’ – but some could argue its clever tactics and utilising a skillset of a player.
Tozer became synonymous with the long throw-in last year for the Welsh club and a lot of assists were claimed by the centre-half at its mercy.
Ben Tozer trumps the towel ban
So how did Tozer get around the towel ban on the opening day? Well, it certainly won’t make the ball as dry as a towel would, but the old ball-in-the-shirt trick will have to do the job for the centre-half this season.
Tozer will now dry the ball under his shirt and wipes his hand on his shorts in order to still properly execute his long throws.
It was a strange rule to implement anyway, with long throw-ins being a part of the game – well, pretty much forever. A skillset like this shouldn’t be punished, but welcomed in the game.
Football needs more uniqueness, and Tozer’s long throws definitely provide that.