Going to a game...how old?

[VictoriaBlade]

Some advice here...how old do you think is old enough to go to a home game? I am considering taking my 4 year old (nearly 5) to a game soon. He is in to his football and keeps asking to go...any experience or advice here? It would probably be on the kop but towards the bottom where it's less lively. I didn't go until I was 7/8 but I feel if he's got the interest then why not...

 

[Digs blade]

Yes that’s old enough in my opinion. Prepare yourself though for sporadic interest in the match at that age

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

I first started going when I was 5, that was to reserve games on a Saturday afternoon. My first big boys game I was 6 and on the old John Street terrace on the front fence.

 

[madeinsheffield]

Perfect age, get in touch with United, they were doing a 'Home debut' scheme, they take you in the ground before, bit of a look round before it gets busy, meet Captain Blade, and generally make the day special. They did it last season as I recommended it to my mate, him and his young lad had a great time.

 

[KeyffSmyff]

Being a quiet bloke, my daughter was shocked when I celebrated a goal. Otherwise all good, a large packet of sweets.

 

[VictoriaBlade]

I'll contact the club about the Home Debut Scheme, that looks ideal.

 

[nopigfansintown]

That's old enough imo. The contact details and general info for the home debut scheme are here:

Sheffield United FC

The place to get all your Sheffield United news on the first team, academy and Sheffield United Women. Download the app via the App Store and Google Play Store

www.sufc.co.uk

There's also some other useful schemes and things for kids to do here: https://www.sufc.co.uk/club/fan-engagement/

 

[HD8 Blades]

iPhone, headphones and kids film for back up.

 

[Cheesebored]

Make sure they have a pee before the game and take some sweets. Took both my lads at that age and they can both recall bits of it now. If it's cold get ready for a bit of mumping. Enjoy it and remember to take a photo as I never did and regret it now.

 

[yamyamblade]

Took all my kids around this age, Pukka pie stand for all it's faults has one thing that is a god send , easy access to toilets and decent spread of old uns and blokes with kids. You'll miss half the match going on kop for this one reason alone

 

[Addison]

My Dad took me when I was four years old initially to reserve games on Saturday afternoon and then onto the big match .I was hooked and many years later still am. So are three of my daughters who all attended at a similar age, two who have now followed them all over the country.

My lad however was broken in through the open day pre season. First home game of the season after 5 minutes he turns to me and asks where the merry go rounds are. He hasn't been back since .

 

[BeccyBlade]

Yeh that’s a good age to go. Started taking my nephew at 22 months old - was quickly hooked. Had to explain that the idea was for the ball not to go in Paddy Kenny's net! Took him to Rochdale away for first game and did the tour of league 1 away grounds. He’s nearly 18 and loving the premier league tour! Hopefully next year a larger tour ..............

 

[Bath Blade]

Some advice here...how old do you think is old enough to go to a home game? I am considering taking my 4 year old (nearly 5) to a game soon. He is in to his football and keeps asking to go...any experience or advice here? It would probably be on the kop but towards the bottom where it's less lively. I didn't go until I was 7/8 but I feel if he's got the interest then why not...

I took my kids at ages 5 and 3 to a match (granted it was an England match) and they got bored very quickly. I've since taken them recently aged 8 and 6, and they can't get enough of it.

Only issue with being on the kop is that everyone stands up when the ball gets close to the goal by kop and my son then struggled to see without me lifting him up every time.

 

[ShorehamRevolution]

Some advice here...how old do you think is old enough to go to a home game? I am considering taking my 4 year old (nearly 5) to a game soon. He is in to his football and keeps asking to go...any experience or advice here? It would probably be on the kop but towards the bottom where it's less lively. I didn't go until I was 7/8 but I feel if he's got the interest then why not...

I once saw a newborn at a game, also heard a story of a mad United fan who back in the 80’s hitchhiked with a newborn to Portsmouth!

 

[Blade on Edge]

I took my son to his first match when he was 4 years old. It was against Fenerbache and he still remembers the flare going off in the away end! Take some snacks and make sure they go to the toilet before the start of the game.

 

[Mad Mick]

I started supporting the Blades while I was in the womb. When it was time to be born I said I'm not coming out until you agree to let me be a Blade.

 

[Northyorksblade]

Just make sure he's not a seat kicker as he'll get a clip round the ear.
Ps it will probably be me that clips him

 

[Bladesthorpe]

Felt like an old man a few times over the years after some shit performances.

 

[blade too long]

what better gift can a parent give a child than bestowing bladeyness
its adding 30000 god parents in one visit

 

[raul]

Hope this doesn't sound too precious, but I'd say Family Stand rather than Kop, can be a bit too intimidatory at that age, plus if you're at the front and it rains you'll have a cold and wet child to deal with. Also much easier for all the toilet trips/snacks etc and you can still watch the match on the screens if it gets cold too.

 

[Tynemouth Blade]

iPhone, headphones and kids film for back up.

NO!
Make them watch the game and suffer like we had to!


Bloody pampered kids

 

[BanbridgeBlade]

Took my son when he was 2.
Spilled his fruit shoot on the fella in front then threw it down the kop when he’d finished

 

[Pobby1012]

Imagine have one of your first games watching this blades team.... rather than Lee Sandford treading water

 

[raul]

Imagine have one of your first games watching this blades team.... rather than Lee Sandford treading water

Scorer of the winning/only goal for my Lads first game v Bolton.

 

[haich1889]

Some advice here...how old do you think is old enough to go to a home game? I am considering taking my 4 year old (nearly 5) to a game soon. He is in to his football and keeps asking to go...any experience or advice here? It would probably be on the kop but towards the bottom where it's less lively. I didn't go until I was 7/8 but I feel if he's got the interest then why not...

Depends: I went when I was 5 & loved it. Thing with me was: yes I was football/Blades mad but also knew not to moan when I was in an adult environment. I knew if I'd started whingeing about being tired, cold, bored etc my dad would have said " that's it you're not coming again"..

Over the last 3 years started taking my 8 yr old daughter to matches & it's plainly obvious she's not really interested. Took her to match v Pigs & she moaned about being in pub before, being cold, kept asking how long etc ruined the match for me.

Take him see how it goes but probably warn him before.

 

[Pobby1012]

I always seem to remember as a kid my brother telling me Shaun Murphy could head it further than he could kick it

 

[VictoriaBlade]

Hope this doesn't sound too precious, but I'd say Family Stand rather than Kop, can be a bit too intimidatory at that age, plus if you're at the front and it rains you'll have a cold and wet child to deal with. Also much easier for all the toilet trips/snacks etc and you can still watch the match on the screens if it gets cold too.

I'd normally go on the Kop but family stand makes sense at that age. It would be a better experience for us both.

 

[SHOREHAMST.com]

My lad went to his first game aged 30 days. He’s now 2 and The New Den was his 10th of the 92 grounds. So I think you’ll be fine.

 

[Davalon]

I pestered my Dad to take me during the 80/81 season (I know) but he relented the following season when I was 8.

My son was less than 12 months old at his first game. Watford in the Prem. My wife had a season ticket but just nipped in for 30 mins of the game as the babysitter had to let us down at the last minute.

He's been going regularly since he was about 3 or 4 purely because me and the missus have always had season tickets from being kids ourselves.

In fairness he's always been interested in football but he's only really been interested in watching the full game since he was about 10.

That did coincide with Wilder arriving but whilst the football obviously improved it was more his age tbf.

Understandably at 13/14 he's been excited this season seeing them in the Prem for the first time.

Every kid is different. I see some at 4 or 5 watching games intently. By the same difference I see grown men at away games constantly on their phone or regularly going down on to the concourse.

 

[Its magnet you idiot]

Some advice here...how old do you think is old enough to go to a home game? I am considering taking my 4 year old (nearly 5) to a game soon. He is in to his football and keeps asking to go...any experience or advice here? It would probably be on the kop but towards the bottom where it's less lively. I didn't go until I was 7/8 but I feel if he's got the interest then why not...

Try and visit the family hub on John Street before the game its a great facility.