Family enclosure

[Northern Rivers Blade]

Hello all

I am back in the UK from Oz, and visiting BDTBL for the first time in nearly 10 years! (Last time was 2-0 win v Leeds, August 2004). Want to take my kids - aged 10, 7 and 4, to the Swindon game to indoctrinate them in the true faith.

Questions:

1. Where is the family enclosure? Is it part of the old John St Stand?
2. Will there be tickets for the family stand on the day, or should I book in advance?
3. Thoughts on taking a four-year-old? Too young?

Cheers

 

[Grecian2000]

Yes
I'd book in advance.
No

Enjoy. Think you might find the ground looks better than you remember but the team looks a whole lot worse.

 

[Linz]

1. Where is the family enclosure? Is it part of the old John St Stand?

I'd also think about getting tickets in the Westfield corner. The view will be better for the little ones.

 

[Balham]

I'd also think about getting tickets in the Westfield corner. The view will be better for the little ones.

True but the facilities and atmosphere* aren't anywhere near as good. When I take Mrs Balham's nephew (A) I'd rather sit in the John Street stand.

*insert joke about vacuums here

2. Will there be tickets for the family stand on the day, or should I book in advance?
3. Thoughts on taking a four-year-old? Too young?

Cheers

2: Given attendances this year you'll probably be OK to buy on the day but if you're in the area before you'd do well to avoid the 2pm queues at the ticket office. I had no issues getting 3 tickets in the JSS on matchday for the Gillingham shambles.

3: Depends on your four year old. Probably worth taking something else they're interested in as a back up but A has been coming since he was 4 and we've not had any issues really.

 

[2ndtenorblade]

1. Where is the family enclosure? Is it part of the old John St Stand?
2. Will there be tickets for the family stand on the day, or should I book in advance?
3. Thoughts on taking a four-year-old? Too young?

Cheers

Yes
I'd book in advance.
No

As long as the four year old has a decent attention span you'll be fine. The little kid that sits behind us is a PITA.

 

[Grecian2000]

As long as the four year old has a decent attention span you'll be fine. The little kid that sits behind us is a PITA.

Ahh, but if he doesn't go this time and it's ten years before his next chance, he'll never end up being a Blade will he? Get him whilst he's too young to know any better.

 

[Sharrowblade]

Can't disagree with owt said on here.

Linz is right the views good in the Westfield, but it will be a bit warmer lower down in the JSS, plus the chips and gravy are better and you can actually see a decent picture on the TV Screen.

Get your tickets before as Grecian said. Balham's right, ok to pay on the day, there'll be plenty of room but you don't want to be queing with three little un's pre-match.

As Balham also said depends on your four year old, and to a certain extent the older ones. All children are different, I took my youngest three months shy of his 5th birthday and was lucky, he sat there entranced (and we were only playing Donny ). He still sits there and watches it avidly.

 

[silverfox]

I took my youngest three months shy of his 5th birthday and was lucky, he sat there entranced (and we were only playing Donny ). He still sits there and watches it avidly.

I've started to take my colouring book these days!

 

[Northern Rivers Blade]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Phoned the Lane and apparently kids get in for a fiver if they join the Junior Blades. Think I will leave the 4yo at home. Sitting in the cold for two hours watching United grind out a 0-0 draw with Swindon would probably scar her for life.

 

[dublin 10 blade]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Phoned the Lane and apparently kids get in for a fiver if they join the Junior Blades. Think I will leave the 4yo at home. Sitting in the cold for two hours watching United grind out a 0-0 draw with Swindon would probably scar her for life.

Look how it's scarred the rest of us on here . Most of us have never been the same since ( starts to shake and shout at nobody in particular ).

 

[2ndtenorblade]

I've started to take my colouring book these days!

Just wax crayons? No sharp points.

 

[highpeakblade]

Can we please have some sort of formal, signed, written agreement that you are NOT bringing Nick Montgomery back with you please?

On a serious note I hope for your sake that it is a good performance and a win, I hope you get to enjoy your game!

 

[MBoreman]

Can we please have some sort of formal, signed, written agreement that you are NOT bringing Nick Montgomery back with you please?

Feel free to bring back the England cricket squad mind!

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

I've started to take my colouring book these days!

I love that!

 

[Foxy]

I am back in the UK from Oz, and visiting BDTBL for the first time in nearly 10 years! (Last time was 2-0 win v Leeds, August 2004). Want to take my kids - aged 10, 7 and 4, to the Swindon game to indoctrinate them in the true faith.

Get yourself on a tour with JG if you fancy a quick spy in the tunnel/museum and a walk out to the pitch - Might help along the way of the kids getting the bug - http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/20131211-lane-tour-414994.aspx

Tell him I sent you and he might charge you double

 

[sitwell]

2 packets of opal fruits works wonders.

 

[Northern Rivers Blade]

Match day tour looks brill. I'll adopt the Opal Fruits idea too. Thanks all for the tips. Can't wait for Saturday now.......

 

[sitwell]

give him the green ones ,theyre not very nice

 

[JohnDenver]

Get yourself on a tour with JG if you fancy a quick spy in the tunnel/museum and a walk out to the pitch - Might help along the way of the kids getting the bug - http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/20131211-lane-tour-414994.aspx

Tell him I sent you and he might charge you double

If you find any silverware do you get to keep it?

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

give him the green ones ,theyre not very nice

Seat facing the pitch is punishment enough

 

[Northern Rivers Blade]

Another question: how easy is it to park around the Lane on match days? We are doing the pre-match tour, so we will be there nice and early: 1 o'clock. Are there any good streets for parking or are we better sticking with public transport?

 

[JohnDenver]

Another question: how easy is it to park around the Lane on match days? We are doing the pre-match tour, so we will be there nice and early: 1 o'clock. Are there any good streets for parking or are we better sticking with public transport?

Not as easy as it used to be. There are meters and permit parking all the way the edge of Sharrow. If you're feeling rebellious you could park in Waitrose and if they ticket you I doubt they'll follow you to the ends of the earth.

At 1pm you've plenty of time to cruise around to find a decent free, legal spot within a few minutes walk. But depending on where your journey starts, if you're having a pint you might be as well leaving the car behind.

 

[Northern Rivers Blade]

Thanks John.

 

[Northern Rivers Blade]

Greetings all. Just wanted to say thanks for all the advice. Had a brilliant day at the Lane. Kids (age 7 and 10) loved it too.

I can highly recommend the match day tour. Starts in the museum (where, by coincidence, we met and had a chat with a very friendly Kevin McCabe). Then you stand in the corridor outside the dressing rooms as the players are arriving (Murphy, Baxter, Coady, McMahon and Hill all walked through the tour group and said hello; Matt Hill very friendly, high-fived lots of the kids). Then through the player's tunnel and onto the pitch, all the while with excellent commentary from United historian John Garrett. Great stuff.

We may criticise the Blades for their many flaws, but the tour did make it feel like an open, friendly, family club to be proud of.

As for the team, have to say I agree with most commentators on here: centre of midfield and striker would have to be a priority.

Cheers all. Was a great experience. Hope it's not 10 years before I'm back again.

 

[sitwell]

How were the opal fruits ?

 

[Northern Rivers Blade]

Cranked it up a notch and went for Mentos, doughnuts and lemonade. I'm hoping it's like a Pavlov's dog thing. Every time they hear the word "Blades" they'll think "sugar" and get a rush.