Taking four year old to his first proper Football Match
Discussion
Hi guys,
My son is passionate about our local football team (Soon to be in Premiership!), so I got some tickets for us to go. Never been with a youngster to be honest. I've normally had a few beers beforehand and associating myself with other louts, obviously it will be different with my nearest and dearest.
Will be sitting in the family end. My only worry is he will become bored and hopefully the language and swearing will be afar. He plays footy every weekend, but does not really watch it on Television.
Anyone here ended up leaving the game early? Did your child freak out in a 40k+ seater stadium lol.
Hopefully it will drive his passion for footy, if all goes well i'll get some season tickets once we get promoted to the Premier League.
I'm a diehard Newcastle United supporter by the way. I think my son made the correct decision to not support them lol!
My son is passionate about our local football team (Soon to be in Premiership!), so I got some tickets for us to go. Never been with a youngster to be honest. I've normally had a few beers beforehand and associating myself with other louts, obviously it will be different with my nearest and dearest.
Will be sitting in the family end. My only worry is he will become bored and hopefully the language and swearing will be afar. He plays footy every weekend, but does not really watch it on Television.
Anyone here ended up leaving the game early? Did your child freak out in a 40k+ seater stadium lol.
Hopefully it will drive his passion for footy, if all goes well i'll get some season tickets once we get promoted to the Premier League.
I'm a diehard Newcastle United supporter by the way. I think my son made the correct decision to not support them lol!
Took my youngest when he was 4. Yes he got a bit bored but his older brother was more into football then. Lots of food and chat to him about the game, he'll be fine. Kids don't really get the whole number of people thing, maybe sit back a bit when you leave to avoid the busiest time for people all trying to get to different places at the same time, or leave with a few mins to go and get ahead of it.
My mate did this when his lad was about 4, when Reading were in the Prem.
20 minutes in: "Dad, I'm hungry, can I have a Hot Dog?"
Reading go 1-0 up whilst they were stood in the queue for a dreadful rollover hot dog
30 minutes in: "Dad, I need a wee"
Reading go 2-0 up whilst he's supervising him having a slash. Games finishes 2-0, no goals seen.
"Did you enjoy that then son?"
"Not really, it was a bit boring"
20 minutes in: "Dad, I'm hungry, can I have a Hot Dog?"
Reading go 1-0 up whilst they were stood in the queue for a dreadful rollover hot dog
30 minutes in: "Dad, I need a wee"
Reading go 2-0 up whilst he's supervising him having a slash. Games finishes 2-0, no goals seen.
"Did you enjoy that then son?"
"Not really, it was a bit boring"
Check to see if there's any kids activities on before hand. When I took my 7 year old for the first time we were able to go in early, out on the edge of the pitch and meet the mascot, have some pics and got an activity pack.
I tried to explain how many people there would be there, and that although his uncle, cousins and grandad would be there, we'd be unlikely to meet them in amongst 30,000 other people. Promptly bumped into them all within a couple of minutes of getting there!
He was not phased in the slightest by the crowds or noise, but he's not exactly quiet himself.
Oh, and even in the family end he learnt a couple of new words...
I tried to explain how many people there would be there, and that although his uncle, cousins and grandad would be there, we'd be unlikely to meet them in amongst 30,000 other people. Promptly bumped into them all within a couple of minutes of getting there!
He was not phased in the slightest by the crowds or noise, but he's not exactly quiet himself.
Oh, and even in the family end he learnt a couple of new words...
I took my three to their first match - Middlesbrough v Stuttgart. It was quite a chilly evening and as we walked to the ground the youngest, aged 6, asked whether it was going to be indoors or outdoors. Eldest boy, after about 5 minutes, asked where the commentary was.
At my first match (Villa v Everton) the crowd used to sing go home you bums etc etc when the away team came out and I remember thinking well..... if they go home we wont have anything to watch. I wonder wether they still sing that at the Villa.....
At my first match (Villa v Everton) the crowd used to sing go home you bums etc etc when the away team came out and I remember thinking well..... if they go home we wont have anything to watch. I wonder wether they still sing that at the Villa.....
Took our kids to the rugby when my eldest was 5, we had free tickets so nothing to lose. As other have said they get bored quite quickly even with drip feeding of crisps and sweets and yeah we had a few toilet trips. If he could remember it he'd probably say the highlight was going in the bar beforehand!
They had some good pre-match stuff though, face painting, free stuff and a few small rides.
They had some good pre-match stuff though, face painting, free stuff and a few small rides.
I was around 5/6 when I went to my first football match with my dad. It was at Maine road in the family stand. I couldn't see anything and when everyone stood up as action happened I had to spin around and stand on my seat to see anything, by the time I did that the goal had gone in!
One of the balls ended up in the crowd and landed on my lap. The first I knew of it the guy infront tried to catch it and it slipped through his hands and down to me. I asked my dad what to do with it and he said to throw it back. With all my junior might I threw it down and probably hit some poor sod on the back of the head.
Too small to see anything, but I loved it.
This was getting on for 20 years ago mind, but OP, you're over thinking it. Go and have a good afternoon out with your son. Fill him up with food/drink before hand and enjoy.
One of the balls ended up in the crowd and landed on my lap. The first I knew of it the guy infront tried to catch it and it slipped through his hands and down to me. I asked my dad what to do with it and he said to throw it back. With all my junior might I threw it down and probably hit some poor sod on the back of the head.
Too small to see anything, but I loved it.
This was getting on for 20 years ago mind, but OP, you're over thinking it. Go and have a good afternoon out with your son. Fill him up with food/drink before hand and enjoy.
From my experience (twice...
1. Plenty of sweets
2. Nothing to drink, otherwise they are constantly going to the toilet
3. Download some games to your phone, keep them occupied if they are bored
They won't like it first time, but midweek, they will be wanting to go again!
Still cherish the memories of going with my eldest boy - good times!
Once he is a bit older take him to an away game. Took mine when he was 9 to Old Trafford, and we beat Man U. He loved being part of the crowd and the banter/abuse with the United fans.
1. Plenty of sweets
2. Nothing to drink, otherwise they are constantly going to the toilet
3. Download some games to your phone, keep them occupied if they are bored
They won't like it first time, but midweek, they will be wanting to go again!
Still cherish the memories of going with my eldest boy - good times!
Once he is a bit older take him to an away game. Took mine when he was 9 to Old Trafford, and we beat Man U. He loved being part of the crowd and the banter/abuse with the United fans.
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