Would you take a 7 yr old to a premiership football match?

I have no interest in football at all, on fact, I actively dislike it. But, my 7yr old loves it. He really, really wants to go to a match and I have the opportunity for a Daddy / Lad weekend trip.

Questions though:

1. How easy is it to get tickets for a premiership game
2. Is it a complete bear pit full of racist thugs shouting abuse who will scare a 7 year old?
3. Do I need a mortgage to pay for tickets

For what is is worth, his chosen team is Manchester United but I reckon I could convince him to go to Newcastle which is more of a local team for us.

okay, just realised NUFC are not in the premiership, just proving how little I know or care about football!

all big clubs have familly enclosure .
getting tickets for man u games , you need to be a member .and it is expensive .

went to Wembley last saturday with my 10 year old , and to be honest , he was bored after the first half .

Apart from Newcastle not being a premiership time, for this season at least, yeah why not. I went to my first game at 9 years old and that was back in the bad old days, 1974. Nowadays it’s all sanitised all seater stadiums, in the top two divisions at least. If you do want to go to a game at say Newcastle or ManU, be prepared to take out a new mortgage…

I’ve taken my lad to see Man U loads of times since he was 6 when my season ticket holding mate and his lad can’t go. Never had a single problem.

Racist thugs? Bear pit? It’s not the 1970’s. Not even in Newcastle! 😉

Took my football obsessed daughter to her first match at OT when she was 9. Most grounds are full of kids. Nice middle class ones. Premiership football matches nowadays are as corporate as going to Wimbledon

I have no interest in football at all, on fact, I actively dislike it.

Find someone who likes football or who will at least keep an open mind and let them be a surrogate father for the day…..

WTF do you mean by ‘actively’ disliking a sport – do you protest against it outside stadiums, local parks and the like?

I wonder how some people would think about actively disliking cycling

Man u is a big ask. Why not try him at a championship game first to see how it goes. I have taken my 8yr old to a few matches in the family section and never been a problem. OK maybe a few choice words…but that was just me. 🙂

Took mine at 18 months. Southampton v Rochdale. Admittedly we had an entire corner of the stadium to ourselves. Took her to a prem game when we made it back (against Toon actually) and she didn’t enjoy it so much.

Friendly good-humoured singing
Respect for officials
Sportsmanship and skill
VFM
Banter between fans of each team

What’s not to like?

[try an lower league game first?]

Took my lad to his first match at 7 – Sunderland beat Man City at the Stadium og Light, ya dancer. Unfortunately they beat us in the League Cup final later that year – but we got a great day out at Wembley. He loved it. I’ve just diminished his enthusiasm by taking him to Scotland v Lithuania at the weekend though! 😐
He’ll love, but please go with some enthusiasm!

Take him to see Newcastle and he’ll soon forget about being a Man U fan! Most kids I know change their mind as soon as they’ve been to a professional match and have supported the home team for the day. Just don’t fall in to the trap of buying a 50/50 scarf, awful tourist tat!

I would say that it is fine to take a 7yo to most premier league games nowadays. That said the last game I went to I did have a feeling of things getting nasty. West Ham v Watford, a fairly significant fight between the two sets of fans in the upper tier seats. I had my 6′ 2″ 15yo stepson with me and I told him we’d be leaving a few mins before final whistle as we would be leaving from the exit next to the Watford fans. Thankfully it wasn’t any of our bigger rivals as it could have been carnage. There were no police in attendance at or near to the ground, the stadium owners have been sorting that error out!

will scare a 7 year old?

You’re going with him right? what’s the problem. Sheesh kids these days.

I went to my first cup final at Hampden at the age of 8 with another kid from my class. I remember him unpacking his Paddington Bear lunchbox and Thermos Flask to the delight of the neds sitting 3 rows back. I think they chucked a few ciggies at us but nothing apart from that.

Apparently my mum spent the whole game glued to the telly waiting for the crowd to kick off. (they didn’t)

Gawd knows what she was doing sending two eight year olds unaccompanied to Hampden in the early eighties.

shudders

But anyway, working on the assumption that you’re a fair bit older and bigger than him. Go for it.

Took my lad last year when he was 5 to the the Lane

Walk along grotty Tottenham High Road, abused by a drank random, sirens wailing, police horses, loud chanting, swearing, had to stand all match…. I’ve places l’d rather be but hey they have to learn life isn’t all soft play areas and Power Rangers at some point

Anyway he loved it…. Penalty right in front of us, Harry Kane scored and “cousin” Danny Rose had a good game all helped of course… Hey he even gave a special wave to the away fans 🙂

I’d try and take him to ManU if at all possible, if that’s his team. Could be a trip of a lifetime, whereas Newcastle v Brentford just isn’t in the same league in so many ways. Young kids struggle with 90 mins of live football IME, even football mad ones, so there’s a risk that a trip to St James Park might bore the pants off the pair of ye.

I agree with the others that standards of behaviour are generally pretty good – just as a counterpoint I took my 7yo lad to see Everton at City last year and it was rough from a kid’s point of view. Night game and some mixing of fans in the stands where we were sitting led to a couple of punch ups plus loads of full on abuse, police intervening etc. You wouldn’t generally see this but football’s not quite at the level of going to the opera just yet.

WTF do you mean by ‘actively’ disliking a sport

Being bored shitless by the constant media saturation to the detriment of almost every other sport; its propensity for attracting Stella-fuelled knuckle-draggers; the fact that it’s “just” a sport where a bunch of folk kick a ball around for 90 minutes and yet is treated like a religion; the conversations that go “what team do you support?” – “oh, I don’t follow football” – *talks at you about football for the next ten minutes*; the people who go to the pub in full match strip and refer to the team as “we” like they were in midfield that afternoon when they haven’t kicked a ball in 20 years; the ability for fans to go on and on about the smallest detail post-game about stats and transfers; how every fan knows better than the professional referees and international-grade coaches; and the fervent defensiveness of fans to go “why do you dislike it” when you dare to proffer such an opinion.

Er, I imagine.

Anyway to answer your original question, no I wouldn’t, unless the team in question was your local team.

To give him a sense of the atmosphere, which can be intoxicating , find a local team in championship or above, but which is local to you. There will be kids at his school who go to the the local matches, proper supporters, not plastics who support teams from afar and never go to matches.

Same as any gathering of people there will be knobbers and there will be normal people, and people who think they are above you, not a bad thing to expose your children to whilst you’re around.

Language can be a bit fruity shall we say, but nothing that they won’t hear at school.

I took my two, girl and boy, 7 and 9, to their first match, evening kick off, half term, leaugue cup against Carlisle, lost 2-0, but they loved it, always Bristol City supporters from then on.

Sit at the front so they can see the players close up and the action, not at the back where it looks like watching it on TV.

Go along yourself, you may be surprised

; the fact that it’s “just” a sport where a bunch of folk kick a ball around for 90 minutes and yet is treated like a religion

Tour de France

the fact that it’s “just” a sport where a bunch of folk ride a bike around and yet is treated like a religion

As others have said on here, tickets for the family stand or enclosure a good idea too. I’d recommend too Newcastle against one of the bigger clubs in the Championship like Sheffield Wednesday, would be a good atmosphere at that sort of game. Or pick a cup game instead, more likely to get a ticket for that. Not been to a game myself now for some time but the atmosphere is definitely something worth experiencing.

Racist thugs? Bear pit? It’s not the 1970’s. Not even in Newcastle!

Last time I went to a toon match it was bloody boring, and that was when we beat Leicester 6-1 last time we were in the championship. How things change 😆

Seriously, as long as you’re nowhere near the visiting away contingent it’ll be fine for a 7 year old. There’ll be some swearing but to be honest they’ll be doing well to understand the average pissed geordie at a football match whether they’re swearing or not. Don’t get a seat on level 7. It’s so far away from the pitch it’s like watching it on the telly without the commentary.

the fact that it’s “just” a sport where a bunch of folk ride a bike around and yet is treated like a religion

Even on the boring days (and there are many) live football is a million times more exciting than live cycling. On it’s day it’s the most spine tingling adrenalin rush you can get without taking class A drugs. Those are few and far between though and you’re unlikely to experience it unless you go a lot.

Take him to Newcastle, the biggest in the championship, getting bigger crowds than most of the premiership these days. East stand or family area. Take someone who likes football too. The players warm up so get in 15 before kick off and get home some pics with them close up (sometimes they will do some pics) there is some occasional language but I’ll tell me mother to keep a lid on it 😉

I’d recommend too Newcastle against one of the bigger clubs in the Championship like Sheffield Wednesday,Bristol City

FTFY 😀

(Wednesday always do have good away support though)

Just make sure you pick the family section and avoid the more ‘devout’ fans section or an area near the away fans.

Championship is still a decent standard of football, so doubt worry about that.

http://tickets.nufc.co.uk/events.aspx
Buying tickets, if you are doing Newcastle then make it a good day, probably get the train/metro in and walk up to the ground (If your going to drive then parking at the hospital multi story is what my parents prefer) – it’s an amazing atmosphere in the middle of the city – as he is only 7 then probably skip the beers at the Strawberry. Work out your turnstile and for a young lad avoid anything up in the gods (not sure about home fans but they do turn the lifts off for the away fans on level 7 🙂 )
Quick look says they have taken ticket points off for most games you just need to wait for the public sale
http://tickets.nufc.co.uk/events-choose-seats-flash.aspx?eid=8627&sid=83884&pid=5035&vid=69
Out of the stuff available the East Stand wins for me, even better if you can find somewhere backing onto the back of the stand or a wall then you can stand up no problem.
Everyone will make a rush at half time for a beer etc. if you don’t need the loo just stay put. Also it will be a big rush to the cars etc at the end so maybe take a walk down into Eldon Square and let him convince you how awesome it was over some food!!

I think they are passing flags round again

View from the back of the East Stand

I would take him to Newcastle if that is more local. It will be easier and cheaper than going to see Manyoo. I was working up there a few years ago and went to see them play Man City (my team). It was easy to buy a ticket in the home end by phone the day before the match. You probably cannot do that at Old Trafford (although if they carry on their decline…….).

I would get there an hour before kickoff giving yourselves plenty of time to use toilets, get a drink/souvenir etc.

It can be a strange experience for a young child – lots of people milling around. Make sure you keep close together and that the lad knows what to do if by some chance you get separated (go to the nearest steward).

I also agree with the suggestion of being close to the pitch. One of the most memorable matches I took my lad to was City versus Liverpool at the Etihad. Peter Crouch was on the bench for the scousers and was warming up in front of us during the second half. There was some great banter between him and a fairly rotund City fan which had veryone laughing in a good natured way. More memorable than the game tbh.

The areas you will get tickets for at old Trafford will be full of other day tripping tourists, cockneys, Chinese, scandi’s etc, not hooligans

teamhurtmore – Member
Friendly good-humoured singing
Respect for officials
Sportsmanship and skill
VFM
Banter between fans of each team

What’s not to like?

spot on definitely an educational experience for kids and needs adult to explain – used to go with my daughter from about age 8 to see SWFC (she played for the juniors) but only if couldn’t get anyone else to go – i’m def’ of the opinion that it is overpriced low quality entertainment I learnt that SWFC fans only sing songs that are about SUFC being f…..g w…..s doesn’t matter who they are playing

and the ref is always a blind w…….r even if you are in the family section

take care on exiting not deliberate but will be a bit of a squeeze – write yr phone number on a piece of paper and put in a pocket unless 7 year olds all have phones now

i’m def’ of the opinion that it is overpriced low quality entertainment I learnt that SWFC fans only sing songs that are about SUFC being f…..g w…..s doesn’t matter who they are playing

and the ref is always a blind w…….r even if you are in the family section
Not my experience in St Jameses Park, just stay out of the Gallowgate behind the goal!!
I think league cup games were something like 10/5 quid for asults and juniors at this stage but might finish a bit late on a school night

I live a stone’s throw from Man U and my lad really is Stretford born so I should and I’ve been thinking when is the best time? (He’s 6 and loves football). I doubt he’d want to support my hometeam (top of Championship) As for the fans etc around the grounds it’s not like the old days. I remember a couple of years ago seemingly hundreds of German club fans marching together singing the same song, all grinning and waving- our lad loved the noise, the atmosphere as they streamed past.

When you say good luck/the cost, how much is it for the family area?

Just to add just because we personally might not like a sport doesn’t mean our children shouldn’t/or not be given the opportunity. Mine loves Sat am footie. He loves cycling but I’d rather he had balanced interests across different sports.

I took my lad to Anfield when he was 5, he absolutely loved it.

We now regularly attend Reading FC games in the family section, can’t say i’ve ever experienced any issues.

Costs
£25 all in for the pair of us… Which TBF is pretty reasonable. You do need a membership for that, but it’s £3 a year.

Friendly good-humoured singing
Respect for officials
Sportsmanship and skill
VFM
Banter between fans of each team

Wrong thred THM, this is football not rugby.

Dunno if the same will be happening up your way but a mate is one of a pool of volunteers who in exchange for tickets to see Pompey have a mobile number to text if they see/hear any racist, sexist or otherwise offensive/violent behaviour. The perpetrators are id from a combination of their description, cctv etc and can be warned by stewards, escorted from the match or even in the case of one family of bigots lose their season tickets.
I am not a football fan but I still remember going to Oakwell with my grandad to see Barnsley for the first time when I was 8, the whole experience was amazing at that age. From the fans outside, the turnstiles to get in, standing right down the front, the experience was more important than the game itself.

Been taking my lad to see Derby when we get the time since that age. The family enclosure is pretty relaxed, and I’m glad he follows a local team rather than a successful one.

Cup games, especially evening ones, are usually cheaper, especially against lower league teams. Derby had three rounds of FA cup at home a year back, most it cost us was £15 for both of us.

Bigger teams might be easier and cheaper to get reserve or junior game tickets?

Just to say, he is now 13 and I still won’t take him to Derby v Forest matches. Used to work near Pride Park and seen the resulting damage…

Reserves game good idea but less atmosphere?

Being bored shitless by the constant media saturation

Yet you felt the need to read a another football thread and comment on it 😆

Anyway back on topic

I’d agree 90 mins is quite a while for them to be sat watching something…. as such I’d advise against turning up early….in fact turning up a little late was my plan

Wanted the lad to climb the stairs onto the stand and be confronted by 30,000 Spurs fans singing at the start of the game…. that’s a big part of the experience… I can still remember being a kid and being impressed by the “C’mon you spurs” chant ring from one end of the ground around to the other.

And may I say, and I think you probably are anyway, put the dislike of football aside and see this for what it is…. Dad and lad time…. doing something he’ll think is super cool and will be telling all his mates about.

Have fun

hora – Member

Reserves game good idea but less atmosphere?

As said above, it’s the crowds, the atmosphere, the tension, the pride…. Reserves ain’t going to cut it.

Went to my first game at Hillsborough when I was about 5 , loved it . There is something about walking through the stadium and when you first see the pitch that just gets me every time .
My boy is 3 and unfortunately for him his first game is likely to be st mirren which could put him off for life .

I used to steward at various venues for an agency while at uni – the main one was Stamford Bridge, but also White Hart Lane, Wembley Stadium & The Madjeski stadium…..

Not sure I’d want my kid going to be honest…..perhaps it was just because I was on the look out for trouble as part of why I was there but the amount of pissed-up blokes acting like a mob of thugs and hurling swear words around constantly wasn’t particularly pleasant….abuse hurling at the referee/players and the anger some of these people displayed was quite an eye opener.
Some of them seemed so distressed & angry about it, I couldn’t really fathom why they were paying the money & taking the time to attend. It didn’t look like an enjoyable experience for a lot of them, regardless of whether their team won or lost; it just seemed like an excuse to vent, swear & hurl abuse for 90mins.

FWIW, I normally worked in one of the home stands at Stamford Bridge (I think it was the west stand, while it was being re-built) but one day I had to cover the away stand. It was Man U and their fans (I guess the ‘passionate’, travelling the country type of fans) were the worst I ever experience in terms of what I mentioned above; it wasn’t a very pleasant experience…..

Take him to a more local Premier League club – Sunderland. Probably put him off football for life, that’ll be a win-win for you.

Take him to St James and subject to a lifetime of glorious failure!

As others have said the family section or the East Stand.

It’s all fairly sanitised now but a “big” match will still have an excellent atmosphere.

Be careful you might even enjoy it! 🙂