Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Archieavfc on August 05, 2014, 02:41:23 AM
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I am going to be home this Christmas with my son who will be 9 months old. Its been a while since I have been at VP and cant ever remember seeing kids this young at the matches. Have people brought kids around this age to games before and what have been their experiences?
He wont thank me when he is older for making him a Villa fan but with the way things are going we have to hook them when they are young (and he can support Keylor Navas at Real Madrid if he wants success!!!)
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Personally I wouldn't take a child that young.
I think there's a fair bit that could go wrong, but, mainly. it could be quite frightening for the child.
Just a personal view
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Honestly I think that would only be terrifying for the child and very, very annoying for people sat around you. I get if you're eager to make him a Villa fan but I think you need to wait a few years.
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I took my daughter when she was just over one and she was absolutely fine. My brother took his son who was nearly one and he was also absolutely fine.
As for, "it'll be annoying for people around you", isn't that what family stands are for?
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I took my daughter when she was just over one and she was absolutely fine. My brother took his son who was nearly one and he was also absolutely fine.
As for, "it'll be annoying for people around you", isn't that what family stands are for?
I haven't been in the family stands for a fair few years but if there's kids in there that young then fair enough maybe that's the option.
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No baby-changing facilities. As in nappies, not the baby itself.
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My rule with my three kids was if you are big enough to carry your own milk crate to stand on you are big enough to come to the game. Damon was five, as was his brother and his sister was four but she would not carry a crate and insisted on going in the Panini Lounge.
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I wouldn't have dreamed of taking any of mine at that age. Firstly, as suggested they could get bothered by the crowd and noise and secondly, how are you going to be able to pay any attention to the game with a babe in arms to look after as you're not going to be able to park a buggy in the gangway?
I think the youngest I took any of them was about 2 and he slept through most of the second half and has absolutely no recollection of it now. He is a season ticket holder now and I reckon there have been a fair few occasions over the past 4 seasons when he could quite happily have curled up and had a kip only he's a bit too big to sit on my lap these days.
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Not that I have experience of this, but it does depend on the child. As a rule I think I would wait until the child is at least three or four. At the end of the day if you are taking them to give them to give them a taste of live football, then you want them to remember/enjoy their day. At age one I don't think they are really going to take in what is happening.
I am hopeing to take my friend's son to his first game next season, he will be about eight, but lives in the states, so I am looking forward to taking him, just hope Villa are still a top flight club at the time ???
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Breast feeding issues need to be considered
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I have two grandchildren. Freddie is 6 and Bentley is 2. Freddie is coming with me to his first full game when we play Hull City but there is no way I would take Bentley. A couple of years ago I took Freddie to watch Walsall. We had to leave just before half-time as he wanted to play in the park.
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Also much depends on the child. Mine are all very robust and outgoing. Of my grandsons two are natural Holte Enders the third is a quiet studious lad who has been to games just to please me but would be happier reading his books.
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My son is one in 2 weeks, there is no way I'd take him, the noise will terrify him. Not only that he'd never keep still he'd be crawling under everyones legs...Actually there probably won't be any cheering ;)
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At that age they won't consciously remember, however the pain and abject torture of having to sit through a Villa match so young will be burned into their subconscious and then in 18 years time you've got Hannibal Lector living in your house, not cleaning his room and stealing your Chianti.
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It could be a nightmare. I had to bail on monsters university 30 seconds in as the noise was too much for my 2 year old. Would have been that much more expensive and annoying at a game. I'd say it's a gamble personally.
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Breast feeding issues need to be considered
Why? There's nothing in the original post to whether the lad's breast or bottle fed, and a woman should be able to breast feed her child whenever and wherever she wants. It's not like she's going to be waving them in your face, most of the time a woman can be breast feeding within a few feet of you and you wouldn't know.
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I took my daughter when she was just over one and she was absolutely fine. My brother took his son who was nearly one and he was also absolutely fine.
As for, "it'll be annoying for people around you", isn't that what family stands are for?
I haven't been in the family stands for a fair few years but if there's kids in there that young then fair enough maybe that's the option.
I've been sitting in the family stand for the last 4 years and I can't recall seeing any that young.
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Breast feeding issues need to be considered
Why? There's nothing in the original post to whether the lad's breast or bottle fed, and a woman should be able to breast feed her child whenever and wherever she wants. It's not like she's going to be waving them in your face, most of the time a woman can be breast feeding within a few feet of you and you wouldn't know.
Whilst I absolutely agree with a woman's right to breastfeed at her convenience, it would be a brave lass who started doing it at a football match.
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Personally I wouldn't take a child that young.
I think there's a fair bit that could go wrong, but, mainly. it could be quite frightening for the child.
Just a personal view
Agreed. Don't forget the weather in December either. All in all not a good idea for someone that young at that time of the year.
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9 month old baby in the cold of VP in December, personally I leave baby at home for their benefit with a kind baby sitter
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Unless it's a situation whereby you there isn't a an alternative there is little benefit. They will never remember and you just get a bag of hassle.
Having said that - I think mine where about 18 - 24 months the first time they came. Sat on lap.
It's the crying that caused the issue.
Not theirs, mine!
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You are right about the noise and cold, wouldnt want to leave after 2 minutes if the crowds freak him out, want to "enjoy" watching Villa. Probably better to wait a few years. Thanks everyone.
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Breast feeding issues need to be considered
Why? There's nothing in the original post to whether the lad's breast or bottle fed, and a woman should be able to breast feed her child whenever and wherever she wants. It's not like she's going to be waving them in your face, most of the time a woman can be breast feeding within a few feet of you and you wouldn't know.
Whilst I absolutely agree with a woman's right to breastfeed at her convenience, it would be a brave lass who started doing it at a football match.
There's more than enough tits out on the pitch without having more out in the stands. ;)
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Personally, I think anyone who takes a child below school-age - and certainly a baby - to a football is doing for their own 'I'm-a-better-supporter-that-you' ego rather than any possibility of engendering any love of football/the Villa for the child concerned.
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Breast feeding issues need to be considered
Why? There's nothing in the original post to whether the lad's breast or bottle fed, and a woman should be able to breast feed her child whenever and wherever she wants. It's not like she's going to be waving them in your face, most of the time a woman can be breast feeding within a few feet of you and you wouldn't know.
Whilst I absolutely agree with a woman's right to breastfeed at her convenience, it would be a brave lass who started doing it at a football match.
"Get the other one out for the lads". On the serious note of the original post I took my two kids when they were three and it was OK but even then they were probably a bit too young when it came to the crowd, the noise, sitting in a seat for so long and not really getting what was going on. Four or five would be my opinion as to a good age to start taking them.
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I sat by a dad and his kid last year all season. I'm guessing he was about 6 (old enough), but week in week out he was an irritating little shit who had zero interest in the football and whose dad had about as much authority as doormouse. Now i don't know his circumstances but if your kid doesn't enjoy football then don't waste the time and money. I haven't renewed (because of the football) but I'm glad i won't be sitting next to them again.
Good decision OP, i wouldn't risk it.
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If taking a very young child, it would probably be better to do it for a game you know will be a low(ish) crowd and get a ticket for the Upper Trinity. Much less noise, and for crap games plenty of empty seats to move to for peace of others and your own child.
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All of the crying and screaming and puking and pissing...would remind surrounding fans of the standing days on the Holte!
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I honestly think it would be really uncomfortable, confusing to watch, slightly frightening, hard to understand what was happening on the pitch, and really would not be a pleasant experience.
I don't think the nipper would like it, either.
*fetches coat*
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Applauds.
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No baby-changing facilities.
Really? Not even in the disabled toilets?
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Not when I had Fred with me a few years ago when we popped in to one of the open training sessions.
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Not when I had Fred with me a few years ago when we popped in to one of the open training sessions.
In fairness, it would have needed a big table
(http://usatworldcup.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/2014-06-11-fred-e1402530584958.jpg?w=920)
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Not when I had Fred with me a few years ago when we popped in to one of the open training sessions.
In fairness, it would have needed a big table
(http://usatworldcup.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/2014-06-11-fred-e1402530584958.jpg?w=920)
Clappy thing.
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Not when I had Fred with me a few years ago when we popped in to one of the open training sessions.
I find that most surprising given the push for inclusivity in modern football.
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Not when I had Fred with me a few years ago when we popped in to one of the open training sessions.
In fairness, it would have needed a big table
(http://usatworldcup.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/2014-06-11-fred-e1402530584958.jpg?w=920)
Clappy thing.
I suggest your nipper Leeg would be infintely better at football than that lazy pillock.
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I took my kids 4 and 20 months to the Hull game last season and both were fine. Was seated in the Family Stand (its what its for!!) so had anyone said anything they wouldve been reminded where they were sat!!
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Not when I had Fred with me a few years ago when we popped in to one of the open training sessions.
In fairness, it would have needed a big table
(http://usatworldcup.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/2014-06-11-fred-e1402530584958.jpg?w=920)
Clappy thing.
I suggest your nipper Leeg would be infintely better at football than that lazy pillock.
He'd certainly be better at dribbling *boom-tish emoticon*
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I wouldn't recommend ever taking a child of that age to a game. Aside from the obvious inconvenience of having the child there, it's no fun for them, for those around you and most importantly it's not good for their ears to experience that level of noise.
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A few years ago I went with my cousin who took his lad to his first game. His lad had just turned 5 at the time and seemed to me to be just about the right time
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It can't be much fun for the parent but if they're happy enough to put up with it then fine.
Taking babies on flights is something that should be avoided at all costs particularly if I'm on that flight.
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I took my boy, Ellis (6 at the time) to Villa Park on a non-match day. I tied him to the railings at the top of the Holte Stairs and took photos of him.
He also had a pee on various parts of the ground - luckily nothing more significant.
He wasn't allowed in the club shop.
I wouldn't have taken him when he was little either, he was a right little bastard.
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I took my boy, Ellis (6 at the time) to Villa Park on a non-match day. I tied him to the railings at the top of the Holte Stairs and took photos of him.
He also had a pee on various parts of the ground - luckily nothing more significant.
He wasn't allowed in the club shop.
I wouldn't have taken him when he was little, he was a right little bastard.
He wouldn't be the first Ellis to piss on various parts of the ground.
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Liecester City have a Baby Squad
I'm sure it's a lovely family type thing
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My boy first went at 4, against Hull but in the spring.
I was worried but needn't have been - he loved it.
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took my 6 yr old lad and 7 yr old girl to their first match last night, they loved it but i had the comfort of a warm evening and friendly atmosphere in the Worsull home stand. It'd be a different matter having to root them to their seats at villa park on a cold afternoon in December.
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I think 9 months is far too young. I took my lad to his first game when he was 2 , he was kind of ok for about 5 mins sat taking it all in, then it started to unravel. Up running about , climbing over seats , pulling faces at people, shouting . Then fast asleep before HT , then kind of repeated again 2nd half before we left on about 80 mins.
Didn't bring him back til he was about 7.
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Blimey, I didn't go to my first Villa game until I was ten years old.
Does this mean I had a deprived childhood?
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You and me both, dcdavecollett. Worked though, we're both still here.
Apropos of this, I saw an England cricket game when I was 5 and really enjoyed it but that tends to be a bit quieter. And longer.
And there is ice cream.
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Hoping to take my 4-y-o to a game when we are over. He's been to see Richmond play at the MCG in front of nearly 100,000 so he's seen grown men cry at the football.
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3 years-old is the age I took my nephews and now son to the game. Rather than them being scared the issue for me is that they will become restless, need feeding, possibly chnging and then sleep. Not conducive to trying to sit through a turgid 2 hours at Villa Park.
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Personally, I think anyone who takes a child below school-age - and certainly a baby - to a football is doing for their own 'I'm-a-better-supporter-that-you' ego rather than any possibility of engendering any love of football/the Villa for the child concerned.
That would be me then! Took my lad to a reserve game when he was about 18 months. Stayed for a pre planned 10 mins (we beat Everton 8-0 I think in the end). It is a great memory for me as he toddled to the front of the lower Trinity and said 'wow'. After the 10 mins I had to carry him out and he grabbed hold of anything he could to try and stay! Screamed the place down. I had people jokingly telling me to let him stay as I shoulder carried him out.
He's been a season ticket holder from about the age of three. It's never been a problem for me or people around us. I've missed a few goals taking him to the toilet over the years but he's 12 now so that hasn't been an issue for a while now.
9 months would be hard work, as would any little un still in nappies as there are no facilities really for changing but after that go for it.
There is no ego involved at all.... It's the Villa not bloody Chelsea!
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Interesting reading - I've got a three year old boy and two 4 month old twin boys - agreed with Mrs MDC (well, I say agreed...!!) that I'm not going to any games other than late KO games but after reading some of the comments above i think I'll try my 3 year old.
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I think 9 months is far too young. I took my lad to his first game when he was 2 , he was kind of ok for about 5 mins sat taking it all in, then it started to unravel. Up running about , climbing over seats , pulling faces at people, shouting . Then fast asleep before HT , then kind of repeated again 2nd half before we left on about 80 mins.
Didn't bring him back til he was about 7.
I was like that at the last evening game I went to.
Shouldn't have gone straight from work.
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There must have been a few on the pitch over the years. Both in claret and blue and playing for the opposition.
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Blimey, I didn't go to my first Villa game until I was ten years old.
Does this mean I had a deprived childhood?
Depends how old you are I suppose! I don't feel like my kids have missed out on much by not going for the last four years.
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I had my first season ticket when I was 6. My dad started taking me when I was 4, and said I was absolutely mesmorised.
I've had a season ticket ever since.
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Dabid O'Leary had babies on the pitch at Leeds.
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There must have been a few on the pitch over the years. Both in claret and blue and playing for the opposition.
Sir Alex Ferguson always reminded me of a big, fat, red faced baby.
That probably also explains the speeding in his car when he needed his nappy changing.
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I dribble like one after the half-time pint has topped up the other ten!!...
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Dabid O'Leary had babies on the pitch at Leeds.
There were an honest bunch of young lads though