SYP probably won't allow it but..

[sothall blade]

Yes the biggest problem facing football right now if families at games. Does anyone really think that because kids and parents go (and they always have by the way) that the atmosphere at the games has died? If you do then you truly are one of the last dinosaurs thrashing about in the swamp. What next, stop women going because all they do is screech and shriek?

Atmosphere dying is tied in with a whole host of things. Football fans have changed, grounds have changed and society is less accepting of the things that made football such a hostile place to be in the 70's and 80's. Perhaps we should have a caged area where knobheads can shout and swear and generally behave like wankers for 90 minutes. Throw some free bananas in and some song sheets about people from Middlesboro shagging their own kids and bingo back comes your atmosphere.

I'm afraid one of the things that made football so appealing when I was younger was that raw crackling atmosphere, where someone might get lamped any minute. Where a spitting seething mass of testosterone jumped around and was generally obnoxious. I liked it, but I also realise that some pretty nasty things happened at the same time.

i aint got a problem with kids,women going but why cant they get behind the team,its like a morgue sometimes,if it were,nt for the kop it would be

 

[Gibbo89]

I've no problem with kids and women going at all. I went when I was a kid and even went with my mum (once) when elder brothers couldn't take me. I've taken my fiance and her little girl, and she was the loudest in the crowd, even when others had given up. But I once sat on the kop next to a family group (season tickets) and the women and kids in their communal seats were right in the middle top half where the atmosphere used to come from when I used to stand there. They sat playing games or flirting on their phones. Never even looked at the game once. In fact they got a bit shirty when we scored and things got more lively. Thing is with allocated seat numbers it isn't possible to choose where you sit or who you sit with. Apart from the guy who was paying for their seats, who was loving it, the rest i'm sure would have been happier sat elsewhere (at home?). Whether it's safe standing or unallocated seating areas in my humble opinion one or the other is needed to improve the atmosphere at the Lane and elsewhere.

 

[Foxy]

If you want a better atmosphere I'd suggest starting by fucking the John St family stand off and returning it to the general public. Open the upper Bramall Lane stand and herd all the families in there, the ones in Westfield Corner included.

Our block on John Street is mainly those who have been in their current places since it was rebuild and before it slowly became all labelled as a family enclosure. It's not really the "family" atmosphere some would have you believe

Yes, it's nothing like a proper atmosphere, but when was the last time we had one of those at the Lane? Women, children and families don't stop an atmosphere being created, when was the last time you were told to stop making noise by another adult in the Lane?

 

[stannyblade]

Ouwhen was the last time you were told to stop making noise by another adult in the Lane?

Birmingham in the cup. I sat in my usual seat and someone actually turned round to me to keep the noise down. Lucky for him I had my son with me so he only got a polite response.

 

[Sirius]

Our block on John Street is mainly those who have been in their current places since it was rebuild and before it slowly became all labelled as a family enclosure. It's not really the "family" atmosphere some would have you believe

Yes, it's nothing like a proper atmosphere, but when was the last time we had one of those at the Lane? Women, children and families don't stop an atmosphere being created, when was the last time you were told to stop making noise by another adult in the Lane?

The old John Street stand was my favourite, three rows back, on the half way line. Being in that position, unlike some of the refs. I didn't' need glasses, and could always tell when we had been denied a straight on penalty at either end. It may now be a family stand but, in those days, the ref could always hear from me when he had bottled it..

 

[God]

I'm sure God wouldn't speak with language like that.

I'm sure Keith Edwards has used far worse.

 

[God]

pity i dont sit there then,i must be the exception where i actually go to watch the football and not play on stupid games consoles. £25 ish ticket ,pie,pint etc nah i will pay but play on me phone for 90 minutes

That makes 2 of us then. Fancy going to a football match and actually wanting to watch it eh? We must be so odd

 

[God]

Our block on John Street is mainly those who have been in their current places since it was rebuild and before it slowly became all labelled as a family enclosure. It's not really the "family" atmosphere some would have you believe

Yes, it's nothing like a proper atmosphere, but when was the last time we had one of those at the Lane? Women, children and families don't stop an atmosphere being created, when was the last time you were told to stop making noise by another adult in the Lane?

And you think that the recently formed singing section at Old Trafford to improve the atmosphere will include 6 year olds and women? dream on.

The atmosphere was wrecked on John St as soon as it changed over to a family stand. And yes I have sat in it over the last few seasons . Against Chezzy and Stevanage. It used to be my preferred stand before we got booted out and happy families moved in. A disgraceful decision by the club and a shabby way to treat fans in my opinion. I honestly hope you are all happy when the kop evetually disappears and all four sides are surrounded by happy families singing United United ra ra ra.

 

[God]

Could very well be my son who sometimes comes to the matches with me and often plays angry birds or scoffs crisps in between his interest in the game. He doesn't go regularly, just if he’s been a good lad, as a treat.
Should I discourage his enthusiasm for football and more importantly SUFC because he has the attention span of, well, a 4 year old child?
We sit on the south stand, gangway D, row DD, Seat 75. Do say hello if it is us that are ruining your match days and you can call him a twat to his face….

And you call playing angry birds "enthusiasm for football" ????? The mind boggles. You think its OK for him to ruin someones day thats paid 20 odd quid for a ticket? What an ignoramous. Tried parenting classes?

 

[Harry's Game]

If we signed some decent players, won a few games and got back up to a decent level it might improve the atmosphere a bit.

The op's suggestion is just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

 

[Dnblade]

I sometimes take my 2 Grand kids along..they like to get a Bovril before K.O. and read the programme and eat a bag of sweets,and a Mcdonalds on the way home,but don't really watch much of the match.
It's a far cry from when I started going as a nipper,or even when I first took my son along.I haven't taken them this season!but the atmosphere what used to grab you as a kid is no longer there...same at every other ground in the country.
Safe standing would be a step in the right direction for me,but something needs to be done as there's nothing there for young kids to get gripped by it..it's like sat in a Library.

 

[Swanseablade]

There was nowt like the kop when it was standing. Great atmosphere and that sense of danger. You'd start halfway up the kop & when united scored end up near the front. Probably be quite safe this year.
Happy days that will never come back!
I have to go to the front of a gig now for that same feeling. Bit awkward with the Zimmer frame tho........

 

[FleaPitBlade]

And you call playing angry birds "enthusiasm for football" ????? The mind boggles. You think its OK for him to ruin someones day thats paid 20 odd quid for a ticket? What an ignoramous. Tried parenting classes?

If your day is ruined by the sound of a 4 year old playing games then who's the one who needs professional help?

 

[sothall blade]

Could very well be my son who sometimes comes to the matches with me and often plays angry birds or scoffs crisps in between his interest in the game. He doesn't go regularly, just if he’s been a good lad, as a treat.
Should I discourage his enthusiasm for football and more importantly SUFC because he has the attention span of, well, a 4 year old child?
We sit on the south stand, gangway D, row DD, Seat 75. Do say hello if it is us that are ruining your match days and you can call him a twat to his face….

And you call playing angry birds "enthusiasm for football" ????? The mind boggles. You think its OK for him to ruin someones day thats paid 20 odd quid for a ticket? What an ignoramous. Tried parenting classes?

 

[sothall blade]

If your day is ruined by the sound of a 4 year old playing games then who's the one who needs professional help?

i never said it ruined my day,i think its you who needs the help,the point is........people that spend £20 is or whatever,turn up at the match 20 mins after kick off spend most of their time up & down for a piss,then to snack bar,how can you justify spending all your hard earned,then these are the few that phone radio pig up moaning and groaning how crap the game was

 

[Damski]

It's their money.

I'd only take my child (if I had one) if they expressed an interest in going. I wouldn't try and force them into it. I started going to the football with my dad because I wanted to. As a result, I sat and watched all the way through the game, even when I was very young. If I took my kid and he was running around and just using it as an excuse to eat a load of chocolate then I wouldn't take him again. What's the point?

 

[Bladesway]

i never said it ruined my day,i think its you who needs the help,the point is........people that spend £20 is or whatever,turn up at the match 20 mins after kick off spend most of their time up & down for a piss,then to snack bar,how can you justify spending all your hard earned,then these are the few that phone radio pig up moaning and groaning how crap the game was

Yes that's how it is. Trust me if you have had the kids at the match you have neither time nor energy to ring a radio show.

 

[FleaPitBlade]

I have been on Radio Sheffield but I didn't call in, I was in the studio and it wasn't football heaven.

Anyway, I take my lad because he asks to go. He enjoys it but he is 4 and his attention sseems to wwaiver in bbetween corners, free kicks and attacks.

 

[judge]

Great article by gary neville on this last weekend , the average age of a season ticket holder now is 42 compared to 21 20 years ago so if the next generation of fans dont come through the gates now there wont be any season ticket holders in 20 yrs

 

[Foxy]

And you think that the recently formed singing section at Old Trafford to improve the atmosphere will include 6 year olds and women? dream on.

Not entirely sure where that suggestion came from. Do you think that 6 year olds and women are the main reason the atmosphere is poor at Old Trafford? I can tell you, the vast majority of those in the nearby home section, looking on at us in bemusement for making noise the last time we were there were males in their late teens, twenties and thirties.

It used to be my preferred stand before we got booted out and happy families moved in. A disgraceful decision by the club and a shabby way to treat fans in my opinion. I honestly hope you are all happy when the kop evetually disappears and all four sides are surrounded by happy families singing United United ra ra ra.

We moved in from H Block on South Stand when it re-opened, just over half way, which was originally officially non-family. I understand this has now changed, but us and many around us have kept our places without being "booted out"?

I honestly hope you are all happy when the kop evetually disappears and all four sides are surrounded by happy families singing United United ra ra ra.

I'll be happy if and when we do re-build the kop and make it into a proper stand again. I not exactly sure why you seem to think I have some sort of personal quest to quell any atmosphere though? My point is that it's still perfectly possible to create the same atmosphere regardless of the attendance of women and children. Women and children at football aren't a new thing, they always existed, did you only arrive on the scene yourself after turning 18?

 

[metalblade]

I do think the club should have a dedicated area for families and make it mandatory for people with kids under 10 sit in it. Anyone who has had the displeasure of a five year old kicking the back of his seat for 90mins has my sympathy, not that I blame the kids, I do think taking under fives to football matches is a bit of a piss take usually by parents who don't give a fuck who their brats annoy as long as it isn't them. What do you do when a polite request for them to control their offspring falls on deaf ear punch them out ? I'd love to or maybe cause a scene and call the stewards. Then there's the bastards who to keep them quiet stuff the spoilt little brats full of crisps, chocolate and coke till they either feel sick or need to piss every few minutes, then the whole row is up and down like jack in a boxes letting them in and out to and from the bogs. At half time the whole process is repeated, more whinging more pop, crisps and chocolate to keep them quiet more wanting a piss 2 minutes after the game restarts. God help anyone unfortunate to find themselves sat near the under 10's and their couldn't give a fuck parents.

 

[Pedro Verde]

I do think the club should have a dedicated area for families and make it mandatory for people with kids under 10 sit in it. Anyone who has had the displeasure of a five year old kicking the back of his seat for 90mins has my sympathy, not that I blame the kids, I do think taking under fives to football matches is a bit of a piss take usually by parents who don't give a fuck who their brats annoy as long as it isn't them. What do you do when a polite request for them to control their offspring falls on deaf ear punch them out ? I'd love to or maybe cause a scene and call the stewards. Then there's the bastards who to keep them quiet stuff the spoilt little brats full of crisps, chocolate and coke till they either feel sick or need to piss every few minutes, then the whole row is up and down like jack in a boxes letting them in and out to and from the bogs. At half time the whole process is repeated, more whinging more pop, crisps and chocolate to keep them quiet more wanting a piss 2 minutes after the game restarts. God help anyone unfortunate to find themselves sat near the under 10's and their couldn't give a fuck parents.

At what age did you start going to BDTBL I wonder if you were ever an annoying little brat.
I started taking my daughter from the age of 5 in the family stand that was then in the South Stand as far as Iam aware she never annoyed anybody or kicked their seat she has been a season ticket holder from the age of 7 and has had her season ticket for 18 years shes hardly missed a home game and has been to loads of away matches.
If you want our club to continue we must have young supporters coming through the turnstiles otherwise it will die. You sound like a grumpy old man

 

[Bladesway]

I do think the club should have a dedicated area for families and make it mandatory for people with kids under 10 sit in it. Anyone who has had the displeasure of a five year old kicking the back of his seat for 90mins has my sympathy, not that I blame the kids, I do think taking under fives to football matches is a bit of a piss take usually by parents who don't give a fuck who their brats annoy as long as it isn't them. What do you do when a polite request for them to control their offspring falls on deaf ear punch them out ? I'd love to or maybe cause a scene and call the stewards. Then there's the bastards who to keep them quiet stuff the spoilt little brats full of crisps, chocolate and coke till they either feel sick or need to piss every few minutes, then the whole row is up and down like jack in a boxes letting them in and out to and from the bogs. At half time the whole process is repeated, more whinging more pop, crisps and chocolate to keep them quiet more wanting a piss 2 minutes after the game restarts. God help anyone unfortunate to find themselves sat near the under 10's and their couldn't give a fuck parents.

I can only assume that you live in some parallel universe where kids just run riot because I have never seen anything remotely resembling this. Or perhaps you work in a soft play centre during the week?

Took my boy at 4 (so outside your rules straight away). He kicked the seat in front once by accident and said sorry to the person in front of him. I did feed him Pop and Crisps and treats because it was his first time and I wanted him to see it as a treat and not something his Dad made him do.

He sat for the first half happy as a clam, but because the 2nd half wasn't as entertaining he got a bit bored. He borrowed my phone and played a couple of games. This was of no consequence to anyone around him and at full time we trotted off and went home. I don't believe we left a stream of angst ridden middle aged men behind us who had clearly forgotten what it was like to either be a child or a parent of young children.

If people like you and your like had their say, kids would all flock to other sports like Rugby League, Cricket and just about anything else and football would be left with knuckle draggers spitting and screaming abuse at each other.

Finally, my lad is asking his dad if we can go to the football again. For a 4 year old to say that is quite something. So when you are venting your frustration at some kid (perhaps you just ask his dad politely if he minds stopping his kid kicking your chair next time?) remember for every one of you there are hundreds of us who just want to see our kids join us in watching a sporting event. Perhaps because he didn't sit near some Neanderthal like you and your like he enjoyed his day out. Trust me as a Father who is away from his family most of the week that's far more precious to me than you and your supposed atmosphere which was generally based on being unpleasant, racist and abusive.

 

[Rodders]

0.004

 

[metalblade]

I can only assume that you live in some parallel universe where kids just run riot because I have never seen anything remotely resembling this. Or perhaps you work in a soft play centre during the week?

Took my boy at 4 (so outside your rules straight away). He kicked the seat in front once by accident and said sorry to the person in front of him. I did feed him Pop and Crisps and treats because it was his first time and I wanted him to see it as a treat and not something his Dad made him do.

He sat for the first half happy as a clam, but because the 2nd half wasn't as entertaining he got a bit bored. He borrowed my phone and played a couple of games. This was of no consequence to anyone around him and at full time we trotted off and went home. I don't believe we left a stream of angst ridden middle aged men behind us who had clearly forgotten what it was like to either be a child or a parent of young children.

If people like you and your like had their say, kids would all flock to other sports like Rugby League, Cricket and just about anything else and football would be left with knuckle draggers spitting and screaming abuse at each other.

Finally, my lad is asking his dad if we can go to the football again. For a 4 year old to say that is quite something. So when you are venting your frustration at some kid (perhaps you just ask his dad politely if he minds stopping his kid kicking your chair next time?) remember for every one of you there are hundreds of us who just want to see our kids join us in watching a sporting event. Perhaps because he didn't sit near some Neanderthal like you and your like he enjoyed his day out. Trust me as a Father who is away from his family most of the week that's far more precious to me than you and your supposed atmosphere which was generally based on being unpleasant, racist and abusive.

I take it you didn't bother to read this bit ............................

What do you do when a polite request for them to control their offspring falls on deaf ear punch them out ?

. Quite how a post about parents who do NOT control their kids offends you and others on this thread baffles me as clearly you are one of the minority who do look after their young ones. Still if that makes me in your eyes a

Neanderthal, knuckle dragger

who wants

an atmosphere based on being unpleasant,racist and abusive

then I do really feel sorry for you and more so your children having a father so thick he jumps to conclusions about people he doesn't know, maybe you should let one of these Neanderthals kick the back of your chair all game then you can happily go home and clean the muddy footprints off your expensive coat then come back on here and post how much you liked the experience.

 

[Bladesway]

I take it you didn't bother to read this bit ............................. Quite how a post about parents who do NOT control their kids offends you and others on this thread baffles me as clearly you are one of the minority who do look after their young ones. Still if that makes me in your eyes a who wants then I do really feel sorry for you and more so your children having a father so thick he jumps to conclusions about people he doesn't know, maybe you should let one of these Neanderthals kick the back of your chair all game then you can happily go home and clean the muddy footprints off your expensive coat then come back on here and post how much you liked the experience.

Poor effort, must do better.

 

[madeinsheffield]

I take my 4 year old boy and like Bladesway and the fact we do something grown up that Daddy wants to do and more importantly we can do together I think is brilliant. Yes he does have chocolate and crisps, spends some of the game on my knee sometimes, but he did the last time we went to the cinema to watch a kids film. He asks questions because he's 4 and wants to learn.

He's now got the football bug and I'm glad he wants to be a Blade, unlike his older cousin who supports Chelsea (and no he's never been to see them) he wants to go to the Lane with his Dad, Grandad, and Uncle. While this is still the case he will continue to be a season ticket holder and the memories we will be able to share later in life are being created. These young kids are the fans of tomorrow and they should be encouraged. 90 minutes is a long time for them, there's a lot of adults who don't see 90 minutes.

As far as I know we haven't got on anybody's nerves around us, I don't think his feet have connected with the seat in front, unlike the old guy behind me who doesn't apologise, providing it only happens a couple of times is it really worth having a go??

 

[Coily]

I have to say that I think the Family Stand is a great idea. I took my 4 year old for his first game against Crewe on John Street and it was an excellent atmosphere. No, there wasn't any standing and singing, nor was there any bad language. But it was a place that you can happily take kids and where they feel safe to enjoy the game. He loved going and has been telling everyone at his school about it and how if we keep winning we'll soon be in the Champions League. Kids, eh!

I'm sympathetic to anyone who has had their seat kicked for 90 minutes, as I've been the recipient of this myself. But there is no way I'd have let my lad do that and I'm sure most parents would do likewise. And if they do get a bit bored - and recently, who hasn't! - then entertaining them with a game can't do any harm.

 

[God]

Not entirely sure where that suggestion came from. Do you think that 6 year olds and women are the main reason the atmosphere is poor at Old Trafford? I can tell you, the vast majority of those in the nearby home section, looking on at us in bemusement for making noise the last time we were there were males in their late teens, twenties and thirties.




We moved in from H Block on South Stand when it re-opened, just over half way, which was originally officially non-family. I understand this has now changed, but us and many around us have kept our places without being "booted out"?



I'll be happy if and when we do re-build the kop and make it into a proper stand again. I not exactly sure why you seem to think I have some sort of personal quest to quell any atmosphere though? My point is that it's still perfectly possible to create the same atmosphere regardless of the attendance of women and children. Women and children at football aren't a new thing, they always existed, did you only arrive on the scene yourself after turning 18?

I started going BDTBL 74/75 season aged 14 by myself, well with mates to be more accurate, but without parents. My "kids" go with me now. They're 26 and 23 and didn't start going until teenagers when they showed proper interest in SUFC. My daughter (blonde) is even proficient in the interpretation of offside. My point is that I personally would not take a kid to anywhere where they do not understand what' s going on and most of all be a pain in the arse to others. Call me old fashioned, but I was brought up that way.

 

[Foxy]

My point is that I personally would not take a kid to anywhere where they do not understand what' s going on and most of all be a pain in the arse to others. Call me old fashioned, but I was brought up that way.

Personally, I wouldn't either.

I'm just not sure why you think those that do stop anyone making an atmosphere?, nor how that means I want to sanitise and ruin the atmosphere?