Taking kids to BDTBL

[cooperblade]

I've had the 3rd round of the FA Cup in mind for a while as the first game to take one or both of my lads to and I think the excellent price offers have probably made my mind up.

Ideally I'd like to sit in the South Stand in my usual seats but the language can get a little fruity :nana: Not down to me obviously, it's mainly clayx and dog blade

What are people's experiences of taking little 'uns in the swearing section? Any horror stories? I've got one coming up to 5 and one who is 6.

If I can tear myself away from my usual seats, what's the family stand like? Is the atmosphere massively different? I have visions of it being a bit like a football match crossed with Ice Age 3 at the pictures.

 

[Northyorksblade]

If the language is really bad, you'll find the kids watch the people who are swearing instead of the football. There's still plenty of swearing in the family stand and actually not that many kids, surprisingly! We were in the family stand when our Jack, possibly 5 at the time, asked me what a fucking wanker meant. Most of the time, he ignores it, but he is 9 now so is a bit blase about it all.

 

[boo radley]

Take them in the family stand.
if people swear in the family stand, people do tell them to mind their language and they become very sheepish and apologise. Its great fun that as well.

 

[raul]

Both of mine learned most of their swear words from the time I sat just in front of NorthYorksBlade.

Tbh if you're a bit concerned, family stand - or even the Streetwise Corner - is a better bet. Used to take mine at that age and once went on the Kop with the lad and it got a bit boisterous for him.

Your bigger issue will come when they are a bit older (12) and want to slip in between the OB cordon to boot some Pigs whilst they are queuing up on Bramall Lane...

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

The way we are playing at the moment taking your kids to the Lane for the first time could be construed as child cruelty.

Shame on you - poor little beggars!



They'll be OK in the John Street.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I've had the 3rd round of the FA Cup in mind for a while as the first game to take one or both of my lads to and I think the excellent price offers have probably made my mind up.

Ideally I'd like to sit in the South Stand in my usual seats but the language can get a little fruity :nana: Not down to me obviously, it's mainly clayx and dog blade

What are people's experiences of taking little 'uns in the swearing section? Any horror stories? I've got one coming up to 5 and one who is 6.

If I can tear myself away from my usual seats, what's the family stand like? Is the atmosphere massively different? I have visions of it being a bit like a football match crossed with Ice Age 3 at the pictures.

I used to sit with my Daughter (8) on Gangway G in the South Stand behind the academy lads and it was fine until we got a couple of idiots who started to sit behind us who just used to stand there swearing and winding up the away fans. It wasn't just good natured banter and my Daughter didn't like it. Since the Newcastle game we've moved to the top of Bramall Lane and it's much better although the atmosphere isn't quite the same.

 

[beightonblade]

Take em an sit in yer usual seat..........................

swearins part of life, just like watchin the Blades.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Just because it's part of life shouldn't mean they have to sit through it if they don't like it.

 

[beightonblade]

Just because it's part of life shouldn't mean they have to sit through it if they don't like it.

what watchin the Blades or the swearin bit ?

 

[Linz]

I think there's a difference between swearing and aggression.

The first doesn't bother me so much... for me, it's always been a part of watching the Blades, and I went to my first game when I was 9. I was always given the full matchday experience (i.e. pub first) so no matter where I sat in the ground, I'd already been exposed to some fruity language before I'd even got near the Lane I think I was credited with knowing which words weren't ok to repeat and that was that.

Aggression on the other hand, I still don't like, and there doesn't have to be any swearing involved in that. We once had someone who sat in front of us try and climb over our seats to chin some Forest fan sponsors behind us. As a little one, and a girl-shape, I didn't really like it and felt very intimidated. Didn't put me off going though.

So I'd say that swearing shouldn't be too much of a problem as long as you can credit your kids with the nous not to repeat what they've heard... you can make it your little secret, and if they're like usualy five year olds, they'll bloody love it before grassing you up If you're surrounded by some aggressive sorts though... even if it's just people who let off steam at the ref/Blackwell... then that could be a bigger issue for your young 'uns who probably won't understand why that person is so angry.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

She loves watching the Blades, it's entirely her choice if she comes with me to the match and sh'es only missed the Wednesday game. But she doesn't like the idiots who just spend all the match swearing at the away fans.

As Linz said its the aggression element that she doesn't like or understand.

 

[raul]

I used to sit with my Daughter (8) on Gangway G in the South Stand behind the academy lads and it was fine until we got a couple of idiots who started to sit behind us who just used to stand there swearing and winding up the away fans. It wasn't just good natured banter and my Daughter didn't like it. Since the Newcastle game we've moved to the top of Bramall Lane and it's much better although the atmosphere isn't quite the same.

You're about half a mile from the ground, what did you expect?:thumbup:

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

You're about half a mile from the ground, what did you expect?:thumbup:

Damn good view though.

On a slightly related note I am looking at getting her a half season ticket in John Street as it would be cheaper but are the club offering them this season?

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Scratch that found it on the official site.

 

[Darren]

I think there's a difference between swearing and aggression.

The first doesn't bother me so much... for me, it's always been a part of watching the Blades, and I went to my first game when I was 9. I was always given the full matchday experience (i.e. pub first) so no matter where I sat in the ground, I'd already been exposed to some fruity language before I'd even got near the Lane I think I was credited with knowing which words weren't ok to repeat and that was that.

Aggression on the other hand, I still don't like, and there doesn't have to be any swearing involved in that. We once had someone who sat in front of us try and climb over our seats to chin some Forest fan sponsors behind us. As a little one, and a girl-shape, I didn't really like it and felt very intimidated. Didn't put me off going though.

So I'd say that swearing shouldn't be too much of a problem as long as you can credit your kids with the nous not to repeat what they've heard... you can make it your little secret, and if they're like usualy five year olds, they'll bloody love it before grassing you up If you're surrounded by some aggressive sorts though... even if it's just people who let off steam at the ref/Blackwell... then that could be a bigger issue for your young 'uns who probably won't understand why that person is so angry.

The first ever game my son went to was at Norwich on 21/10/00. He was 5 at the time. That was the game where we went 2-0 up early on, but were losing 4-2 half way through the second half. Bent then proceeded to get himself sent off for swearing the linesman before Monty came on his sub for his debut and almost got us back in the game (he hit the bar and had a good free kick saved as I recall).

As Bent was sent off and it all went pear shaped, I saw that the guy two rows in front of us was continually being prodded in an agressive manner by the guy in the row immediately in front of us. Eventually he snapped and threw a punch at the second guy. They then started brawling and it spilled over onto our row, leading to a family pulling my son to safety. The police then waded in and carted the two men away.

I always thought that that game was a classic introduction to supporting United - initial joy, then crushing disappointment, then bickering and fighting amongst ourselves....

 

[User Name:]

We were in the family stand when our Jack, possibly 5 at the time, asked me what a fucking wanker meant.

Ha ha that made me laugh, the joys of parenting. When you think about it, its a bit of contraction in terms. Anyway, I hope you just said it means a Wednesday fan

 

[shorehamview]

I took my daughter to her first matches last year. The first was the Sheffield v Ajax game, and we sat in the cold two rows behind the Ajax bench. She loved it, so i then took her to the cup match against Charlton. I explained to her that Daddy might swear, and although it was normally wrong it's okay for adults to swear at the football, and that when she is 18 she can swear too. This, to a five year old, is supreme logic.

 

[jodman]

Just wanted to chip in and say thanks for the replies that people have posted; i've been wondering at what age i should take my son (currently 3) to his first game.

I may well leave it a year as he currently struggles to sit down through a full episode of Wonderpets and it would appear that 5 years is a common starting point.

 

[JohnDenver]

If you're surrounded by some aggressive sorts though... even if it's just people who let off steam at the ref/Blackwell... then that could be a bigger issue for your young 'uns who probably won't understand why that person is so angry.

Do you understand why they're so angry? I don't.

Some folk in the South Stand seem to bring their own personal issues with them to the game, and inflict the symptoms on those around them.

If I was forced to guess I'd say some probably have unhappy home lives. Or they're repressing their true sexuality.

Or maybe they're just knobheads.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Just wanted to chip in and say thanks for the replies that people have posted; i've been wondering at what age i should take my son (currently 3) to his first game.

I may well leave it a year as he currently struggles to sit down through a full episode of Wonderpets and it would appear that 5 years is a common starting point.

I took my daughter to one game when she was 5, a couple more the season after. Last season I think she came to 10-12 including Wembley and this season she hasn't wanted to miss a game (I told her she couldn't go to the Wednesday game). They do get bored but something seems to make them want to keep coming. I've got to say if I were her age I don't know if I would prefer to watch the shower we regularly produce to playing on my Commodore 64 all afternoon but something has got her hooked.

 

[Torrix1889]

Hi Coops

I took my 6 year old for the first time against Peterborough the other week, (he’s now convinced United’s upturn in form is solely down to him going!) and we sat in the South Stand, (I’m not a season ticket holder but usually sit in the Kop). We sat in A-Block, seats 7&8, row F. They were OK and we were mainly surrounded by other families. The atmosphere was good as you get the buzz of the Kop and the swearing wasn’t bad at all to be fair, put it this way if I heard anything I didn’t want my lad to hear I would have said something and I didn’t have to!

You will get the bad language but to be honest my lad was so excited about just being there I don’t think he would have taken it in anyway. Well he’s not told me to fuck-off since!

Enjoy it mate, taking my lad was fantastic and something I’d been looking forward to doing since he was born! His 3 year-old brother was a reight mardy sod though because he couldn’t go!

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

If I was forced to guess I'd say some probably have unhappy home lives. Or they're repressing their true sexuality.

Or maybe they're just knobheads.

Third time lucky!

 

[Dog Blade]

I've had the 3rd round of the FA Cup in mind for a while as the first game to take one or both of my lads to and I think the excellent price offers have probably made my mind up.

Ideally I'd like to sit in the South Stand in my usual seats but the language can get a little fruity :nana: Not down to me obviously, it's mainly clayx and dog blade

What are people's experiences of taking little 'uns in the swearing section? Any horror stories? I've got one coming up to 5 and one who is 6.

If I can tear myself away from my usual seats, what's the family stand like? Is the atmosphere massively different? I have visions of it being a bit like a football match crossed with Ice Age 3 at the pictures.

Get them in with us Coops - we'll try a charity non swearing day - £1 for every slip up. Could end up being bigger than Children in Need...

 

[Worksop II]

Never mind other fans swearing while your kids are around, wait until your kids suddenly leap out their seat and fire a volley off, followed by the other one joining in.

It can be very offputting I tell ye

I blame the parents

 

[Santos]

Try that corner between the south stand & away end, was very family like the one time i ventured over there (although this was for the watford home game this year so dunno if there was a promotion on). Great view.

 

[Eskimo]

Gangway B Family Enclosure. Good atmosphere for both adults and kids and no swearing, or very little . I'm a hypocrite though. I try hard not to swear but just sometime, those xx refs. Best pub in Yorkshire (or whatever their most recent award was) is the Kelham Island Tavern, excellent beer atmosphere and ..no swearing notices

 

[beightonblade]

Well anybody sensitive about there kids hearin swearin shud take em in the family enclosure................

for me swearin is part of the match day experience !

Can yer imagine BDTBL full: of sitdarn an stop swearin brigade...... oh dear!

 

[HappyBlade]

took my two boys and my older lads friend to Spurs on John Street around two to three years back. My older lad and his mate were 7 at the time on John street accross form the Spurs fans towards Bramall Lane. If you remember we went 1 nil down and then came back to win 2-1. A few leary lads moved over behind us in the stand and started singing "one nil and you fucked it up etc."

In the car on the way back to Pocklington my oldest lads mate 7 y.o. who we were delivering back to Pock on the way home to the North East started singing "one nil and you fucked it up". We had corrupted this lad and now had to deliver him back to his very well speaking parents who both went to public school.

They are still friends of ours, despite teaching their kid a new word, now that we have moved back into the area.

My advice as I take both my young uns when i can is to constantly tell them to make sure thay can sing in tune on the way back home.

 

[Bramley]

Well anybody sensitive about there kids hearin swearin shud take em in the family enclosure................

for me swearin is part of the match day experience !

I'd rather people swear and let off their steam in the ground, rather than out in everyday life. Everyone needs a release.

The Family Enclosure is there for the wee nippers. :thumbup: I wouldn't sit with kids on G&H South Stand.

 

[JohnDenver]

Well anybody sensitive about there kids hearin swearin shud take em in the family enclosure................

for me swearin is part of the match day experience !

Can yer imagine BDTBL full: of sitdarn an stop swearin brigade...... oh dear!

I don't mind swearing and shouting when it's in the heat of the moment. But those who stand up when nowt's going off, just to empty their witless poison onto the rest of us...