OAP pass certainly registers, because it's all automated as you say. There is a button there for football though (it even has a little picture of a football), and I've seen the drivers press it, but it may depend on how bothered they can be I guess? If you're not catching a packed service (like...
Buses do. There press a "Football Pass" button when you come on, or they should at least. The button is certainly there if you look at the ticket machine.