Going to a game...how old?

[BushBlade]

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.

I’ve fallen asleep at at least two England games, when I was in my forties.

 

[Sean Thornton]

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.

Kop side of JohnStreet seems the best place for exactly the reasons you state. Front to the top of the Kop for the toilet probably more than once is a bind.

 

[Sean Thornton]

I’ve fallen asleep at at least two England games, when I was in my forties.

Jet lag.

 

[SW12 to S12 to S18]

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

Agree, they’re right spoilt brats these days compared to what we’ve put up with over the years.
I started taking my grandchildren when they were five, both Liverpool mad but now very much indoctrinated into The Blades family.

 

[flashinblade1889]

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...

Took my lad when he was nearly 4 Palace at home when we lost 3-0 Paddy Kenny chucking the ball in the net he had a mare he loved it straight away.I think it was 2004 he’s had a season ticket for years on the kop with his mates take him to a couple of games see how it goes

 

[Antarctic Monkey]

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

Share your experience pal, my lad is 5 in March and I’m tempted to do this as well

 

[Tarqs]

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

Lee Sandford wasn't all that bad.

 

[BigBed]

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...

Took the lad when he was 4/5, he's 14 next month and had a ST last 2 or 3 years.
My Daughter is now 4, but as she hates loud noise, il give her a couple more years.

 

[Pobby1012]

Lee Sandford wasn't all that bad.

He was no Holdsworth... but I suppose he wasn't that bad in the sense we had the likes of Nicky Marker, Bobby Ford and Ian Hamilton knocking about in the same squad.... oh and there seemed to be a decent little fullback at the club then too

 

[184blade]

Make sure to get a customer number for your kids, the sooner they start collecting points the better. Also consider going to any youth or women’s games held at the lane, as well as gaining points this gives slightly older kids the chance to find their way around the lane (to toilets etc) when it’s half empty.
Also mine were more interested in the burger and sweets for the first few games, don’t get upset with them if they spend the match reading books or comics, they’ll start to show interest in their own time.

 

[Chief14]

Took my 2 year old to the preseason friendly vs Chesterfield. He was hooked until the 2nd half, he started to get bored and distracted about 50mins in, think it was a combination of halftime and everything happening at the other end of the pitch rather than right in front of us. His mum took him home just after. Have some other entertainment in case the little one gets bored, last home game there was a child about 5 years old sat in front with his dad - he was watching videos on his dads phone for most of the game and seemed entertained

 

[LurkerBladeS2]

My oldest wasn't really that bothered until he was around 7, middle lad however was loving it at 4.

 

[Northyorksblade]

Have some other entertainment in case the little one gets bored, last home game there was a child about 5 years old sat in front with his dad - he was watching videos on his dads phone for most of the game and seemed entertained

What's the point then? He could be at home doing that.

 

[Worksop II]

Yep, Snacks and Lego got my Grandson through the first 2 seasons, then he realised who Billy was

 

[simcalblades]

i,m taking my great grandson for the first time, he is 6 years old there will be 4 generations there on saturday myself - daughter- grandson- great grandson

 

[DifferentClass]

I was about 3 when I first went, and on the Kop to boot. My little ears were no doubt subjected to some very agricultural language

My nephew's seven months and already been, but probably not on the Kop!

 

[XM657]

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.

Oh!!! see where the 'mad' fits in.

 

[Maidenhead]

Took my lad for the first time he was 4.

I moved onto the south stand for it but there was no problem.

That was 32 years ago and he's still coming with me.

It's a great way to cement father/son relationships

 

[Ted Danson]

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!

My friend took her little un to the home Derby when they were a couple weeks old, seem to remember she took him to the sty the same season too.

I took my little girl to the beam back last season with headphones on and she was fine, gets more scared when we're watching at home and score. She was probably 4-5 months then. She loved all the attention she got from the other fans

I'm not going to take her to a proper game without my wife though until she's fully potty trained. No chance I'm going to change a nappy in the gents bogs on the kop. Saying that we couldn't find a baby change in the family stand at the beam back which seemed odd

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

Took my eldest at 4. His first game was away at Grimsby (I know poor lad). It was an evening game and he was fascinated by it all. He did get tired second half but lasted the distance. Still prefers away games to this day.
On the Kop issue I suggest a John Street at the Kop end. Best of both worlds in many ways but slightly less intimidating for a young un. Either that or take him right in the middle of the loudest section and let the little bugger sink or swim

 

[metalblade]

Just don't let your under five take a hand held game with angry birds on it in case he gets bored or someone is liable to give him a clip then bang you out for letting him. That being said most under fives don't have the attention span to watch a half of football without wanting sweets then a drink then a piss. The family stand or pukka pie corner is the place for you pal.

 

[madeinsheffield]

Don't take games and things to watch, start as you mean to go on, he'll think it's normal to sit there not watching.

He's small enough at that age to sit on your knee and you can explain what's happening, who the players are etc. Like someone else said, it's a great time to share and create yet another bond that ties you together.

Took my lad on his 4th birthday to his first game (League 1), he loved it and rarely missed a home game since. Just used food as the only distraction.

 

[Varkanoid]

Ear protectors are a good idea depending on where you sit if the little one finds it too loud and to block the "language". Also be prepared to have them sat on your knee as you can guarantee some 6 foot tall 6 foot wide person will sit in front and block his/her view. Was 5yrs when I took my oldest, he stood up for the whole match and shouted and tried to sing the songs. "Daddy what does Fork the Wednesday mean ?" and "Daddy why is that man telling the man in black he doesnt know what he is doing ?" never stopped shouting the whole match and was so excited and hyper. The people sat round us were killing themselves laughing.

He is now 10 and we are going to Brighton match on Saturday. However his favourite team is Liverpool. Made his year watching Blades v Liverpool another reason why this season has been magnificent.

My other son who is 7 couldnt care less he just sat there playing games and now I dont bother taking him. Not everyone likes going to footy matches.

 

[Never be mastered]

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...

Great to see another blade coming into the fold ⚔ I had my first season ticket at 5 ( 1973 in blut ) so I'm reckoning any time from maybe the week after there born is ok

 

[sheffielder]

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...

That is old enough but try not to over do it. Took my son aged 3 nearly 4 and then twice this season after he had turned 5. Probably not going to push it again until next season. He likes football but not football mad

 

[184blade]

It also helps if your wife follows rugby so the kids choice is between a seat undercover with a pie at the lane and standing in a muddy field in the wind and rain at the egg chasing.

 

[Bearlie]

I took my lad at 18 month to 2 yrs old this is too young and I do wish id waited a little longer .4 / 5 / 6 is fine I think

 

[Chief14]

What's the point then? He could be at home doing that.

I don’t know it wasn’t my child

 

[Northyorksblade]

I don’t know it wasn’t my child

I realise that. I was just saying.

 

[S5_Blade]

Taking my 2 and half year old daughter to her first game on Saturday. I’m usually in the kop but opted for the pukka pie corner as has already been mentioned for the toilets and what not. Her mums dreading it and hopes she doesn’t get the blades addiction!