Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Dave P on January 04, 2018, 04:04:50 PM
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Took my kids to their first game a few weeks ago against Sheffield United and went to the Family Fun Zone in Stumps before the game. They loved it, there is loads to do for the kids in there.
I'm taking them again on Saturday but, being a cup game, I'm not sure if it is open. Does anybody now if it is or how I can find out please?
Thanks in advance.
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Just googled &
https://www.avfc.co.uk/fans/junior-villans/family-funzone
says
Fan Zones
Sat Aug 5 Hull City Opens 3.30pm
Sun Aug 19 Norwich City Opens 1pm
Sat Sept 9 Brentford Opens 1pm
Sat Sept 23 Nottingham Forest Opens 1pm
Sat Sept 30 Bolton Wanderers Opens 1pm
Sat Oct 21 Fulham Opens 1pm
Sat Nov 4 Sheffield Wednesday Opens 1pm
Sat Nov 25 Ipswich Town Opens 1pm
Sat Dec 23 Sheffield United Opens 1pm
Sat Jan 20 Barnsley Opens 1pm
Sat Feb 3 Burton Albion Opens 1pm
Sat May 3 QPR Opens 1pm
Sat Apr 2 Reading Opens 1pm
Sat Apr 14 Leeds Opens 1pm
Sat Apr 28 Derby County Opens 1pm
*Subject to change*
I'd call the club/watch website to check for cup games...
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As it's "Kids for a Quid", I'd be surprised if it isn't open.
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Thanks both. I'd be surprised if it wasn't open but wanted to check.
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Is it worth having children just for this? If so, will have to get the missus to oblige.
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Is it worth having children just for this? If so, will have to get the missus to oblige.
It is. There are loads of things for you the kids to do in there!
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Is it worth having children just for this? If so, will have to get the missus to oblige.
Just borrow one - it's a much cheaper option!
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Is it worth having children just for this? If so, will have to get the missus to oblige.
Just borrow one - it's a much cheaper option!
I hear that. I am still recovering from open wallet surgery after Christmas.
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As it's "Kids for a Quid", I'd be surprised if it isn't open.
It wasn't open. Despite it being kids for a quid which I found bizarre. I took my lad plus two of his mates from school yesterday so was pretty surprised to find it was shut.
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Tell me about it. I tweeted @avfcsupport twice in the past week and got nothing. Took a gamble and got there at 1pm to find it shut. How I managed to stop my 5 and 4 year old getting bored was a miracle!
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Quel shock closed yesterday. So out of touch with their supporters and it's not just a villa thing
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That is ridiculous. You'd have thought they'd have capitalised on the kids for a quid incentive.
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On a similar theme the club have made a right pigs ear of another initiative recently. They sent out a voucher in the post to all junior season ticket holders about a month ago for a free Villa hoodie. My lad was buzzing with excitement.
The Villa said you could collect the hoodie at the fun zone on match days however they would prefer you to collect them on a non match day from the ticket office to reduce queues on match days. I therefore made a special visit to the ticket office only to be told that all the hoodies had been sent back due to them being faulty. There'd been no communication over this, a simple tweet would have saved me a journey. Never mind they said I could collect it at the next home game - Sheff U. So we joined a lengthy pre match queue before the match only to discover they only had really small or really big sizes left. A lot of frustrated people had queued up for nothing.
So, we were told that a new delivery was due before new year so we could collect it at the New Year's Day game. We turn up pre match on New Year's Day - fun zone closed. Same again yesterday. My lad is gutted as he kept getting his hopes up. I know it was supposed to be free anyway but the club have turned a great idea into a PR disaster. We've pretty much given up on it now.
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There were loads of them in the ticket office on Friday. I've no idea what size they were.
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Is anybody aware whether this will be open tomorrow?
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Struggled to find any thread on the family zone seating (or prior discussions I remember of how young is too young, but that horse has bolted already!) I’m curious of
1) people’s experience of being in the family section
2) anyone done the https://www.avfc.co.uk/fans/junior-villans/my-home-debut/ package? Not that I expect it’s going on atm…
3) only family zone allows under 3s in - go on then, what’s the youngest anyone has taken a nipper
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I took my lad at 5 and a half and did the My Home Debut package and I have to say it was fantastic. He loved the lap of the pitch, getting close to the players warning up and seeing his name on the big screen.
The only downside is he now thinks that happens every time we go to the football!!
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Struggled to find any thread on the family zone seating (or prior discussions I remember of how young is too young, but that horse has bolted already!) I’m curious of
1) people’s experience of being in the family section
2) anyone done the https://www.avfc.co.uk/fans/junior-villans/my-home-debut/ package? Not that I expect it’s going on atm…
3) only family zone allows under 3s in - go on then, what’s the youngest anyone has taken a nipper
Curious as to some of the answers to this. My little girl (7 years old) is mad in to football at the moment, so thinking of taking her in the near-ish future.
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I took my nephew at 5 & he loved the family fun zone even though he was too little to go on most things and the queues for everything were massive. He also loved doing the tour of the pitch & meeting Hercules before the game.
The only thing I would say about the home debut package is that it does make it a long day for a little one, & he’d totally had enough by half time (well after about half an hour). We left at half time because I wanted him to remember that he’d had a good time.
The next time we went we spent about half an hour in the fun zone before the game and he stayed for the whole match easily even though we lost.
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Struggled to find any thread on the family zone seating (or prior discussions I remember of how young is too young, but that horse has bolted already!) I’m curious of
1) people’s experience of being in the family section
2) anyone done the https://www.avfc.co.uk/fans/junior-villans/my-home-debut/ package? Not that I expect it’s going on atm…
3) only family zone allows under 3s in - go on then, what’s the youngest anyone has taken a nipper
Curious as to some of the answers to this. My little girl (7 years old) is mad in to football at the moment, so thinking of taking her in the near-ish future.
I'd definitely recommend the Home Debut package. Did it with our daughter a couple of years ago and she had a great time in the fun zone to start with, and then we also got to sit in the dugout and go round the pitch pre-game as the atmosphere was building. To be honest, I loved it as much as she did!
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Took my lad one day short of his fourth birthday, and we sat in the upper Trinity, so it was wasn’t very intense or loud up there for him.
He loved it, saw John Carew score and then fell asleep for the second half. General Krulak even got me a cat park pass for the North Stand!
He used to love the fun day set up, but alas, is far too old and cool for that sort of stuff anymore.
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Rather than some pre organised pre match zone.
Why not go down one of the local pubs, meet real fans in a pub setting, wheres there songs, banter, and villa talk.
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I'd hazard a guess that it's boring for a child to sit in a pub listening to chat that they don't really understand.
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My lad’s first game was Fulham away at the age of 5. Stood on the seat for the whole game. Lost 3 0. Never been in the fun zone due to queue outside, but he already has a pre match routine of burger outside, go in to stand and build atmosphere before demanding my phone to play games at half time. Noise is a killer for him even in Trinity upper (well until he wants to make it too). Will be taking his ear defenders in future.
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My lad’s first game was Fulham away at the age of 5. Stood on the seat for the whole game. Lost 3 0. Never been in the fun zone due to queue outside, but he already has a pre match routine of burger outside, go in to stand and build atmosphere before demanding my phone to play games at half time. Noise is a killer for him even in Trinity upper (well until he wants to make it too). Will be taking his ear defenders in future.
That’s a helpful idea, ear defenders just in case perhaps, thanks, and for other responses, keep em coming!
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My lad’s first game was Fulham away at the age of 5. Stood on the seat for the whole game. Lost 3 0. Never been in the fun zone due to queue outside, but he already has a pre match routine of burger outside, go in to stand and build atmosphere before demanding my phone to play games at half time. Noise is a killer for him even in Trinity upper (well until he wants to make it too). Will be taking his ear defenders in future.
My daughter is 9 and has been to a few games over the past 3-4 years and now has a season ticket. She still takes her ear defenders. And don't be put off by the queue for the fun zone, it does go down pretty quick.
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So given I’ve kinda acknowledged I’m making use of Under 3’s allowed in the family zone, I’ve already fessed up to starting early!
So
1) ear defenders have arrived,
mindful of minimal signal in the stadium
2) I know I need to have some stuff downloaded on the tablet
3) drinks (probably going to be tricky given the rules?) snacks/treats
Any other top tips?
I’m realising the 20min (from usual parking street) pleasant walk through the park/say hello to Aston Hall could either be a really good idea after a two hour (!) drive or a mistake, wondering if I should break a habit of a lifetime and actually pay for some parking closer (but how much closer is realistic/at what cost per match/the season??) can always pop to the park if needed anyway - any suggestions?
Anything else I’m not thinking of those of you that have taken (very!) little ones.
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The most used phrase from me during a game is "stop kicking the seat". Also be prepared for missing chunks of the game for toilet breaks. Other than that, enjoy.
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You're a brave man! I think 6 is the youngest I took any of mine. Much younger, and I just don't think they'd have got enough out of it to make it worthwhile. Too much driving and walking, and then lack of attenion to enjoy a game of football and being in a stadium for a whole two and a bit hours.
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So given I’ve kinda acknowledged I’m making use of Under 3’s allowed in the family zone, I’ve already fessed up to starting early!
So
1) ear defenders have arrived,
mindful of minimal signal in the stadium
2) I know I need to have some stuff downloaded on the tablet
3) drinks (probably going to be tricky given the rules?) snacks/treats
Any other top tips?
I’m realising the 20min (from usual parking street) pleasant walk through the park/say hello to Aston Hall could either be a really good idea after a two hour (!) drive or a mistake, wondering if I should break a habit of a lifetime and actually pay for some parking closer (but how much closer is realistic/at what cost per match/the season??) can always pop to the park if needed anyway - any suggestions?
Anything else I’m not thinking of those of you that have taken (very!) little ones.
Tesco on Aston Lane have done parking for about a fiver for the past few seasons.
I doubt that you'll get much closer than that, and it's the right side of the stadium for the Fun Zone
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So given I’ve kinda acknowledged I’m making use of Under 3’s allowed in the family zone, I’ve already fessed up to starting early!
So
1) ear defenders have arrived,
mindful of minimal signal in the stadium
2) I know I need to have some stuff downloaded on the tablet
3) drinks (probably going to be tricky given the rules?) snacks/treats
Any other top tips?
I’m realising the 20min (from usual parking street) pleasant walk through the park/say hello to Aston Hall could either be a really good idea after a two hour (!) drive or a mistake, wondering if I should break a habit of a lifetime and actually pay for some parking closer (but how much closer is realistic/at what cost per match/the season??) can always pop to the park if needed anyway - any suggestions?
Anything else I’m not thinking of those of you that have taken (very!) little ones.
Planning on taking my little girl (7) to her first match this season. She's really in to sport generally, but it was quite sweet how she asked about going to football. For context, she knows I support Aston Villa but has no idea where that is. We've taken her to Birmingham a few times tho on day trips, mostly for shopping.
"Daddy, would you take me to a football match?"
"Yeah of course, we'll try to get to one soon"
"Do they play football in Birmingham?"
"They do, yeah"
"I'd like to watch a football match in Birmingham"
"Yeah, I think me and grampy Taylor would too..."
Anyway, my cousin's daughter - a few months older than her - also wants to go too for her first game so that'll be nice hopefully, if she's got a little football mate.
Veered madly off topic. Planning to take a tablet with some films on, mostly for the travelling, and some drinks & snacks. Maybe a little toy or something for in the ground. Then probably take her shopping in the morning, go to the family fun zone thing, then with any luck she'll enjoy the experience & have a friend to talk to if/when she gets bored.
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Thanks for responses (and any others to come), just to avoid any misinformation, I'd been told the home debut package thing was on hold for now, and I've not seen/heard anything about the Family Fun Zone being up and running yet, I'd presume that it would also be on hold at this stage, happy to be advised if anyone knows any better.
(and yes I think it's going to be a stretch/ambitious starting young, but she's mature for her age on a good day (!) and have heard others managed it; the only way I'm getting there so we'll see how it goes!)
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I messaged @AVFCSupport on Twitter and they have confirmed the fun zone IS OPEN on Saturday. Great news for those with kids.
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I messaged @AVFCSupport on Twitter and they have confirmed the fun zone IS OPEN on Saturday. Great news for those with kids.
Ah wow thanks for that, that’s significant news
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Thanks for responses (and any others to come), just to avoid any misinformation, I'd been told the home debut package thing was on hold for now, and I've not seen/heard anything about the Family Fun Zone being up and running yet, I'd presume that it would also be on hold at this stage, happy to be advised if anyone knows any better.
(and yes I think it's going to be a stretch/ambitious starting young, but she's mature for her age on a good day (!) and have heard others managed it; the only way I'm getting there so we'll see how it goes!)
I found the home debut to be brilliant, but it did make the day too long. I took my nephew at five and by kick off he was totally ready to home! I do think it’s better for slightly older kids who can appreciate the closeness to the players, & what it actually means to sit in the dugout etc. He’s 7 now and I think he would enjoy it more.
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I messaged @AVFCSupport on Twitter and they have confirmed the fun zone IS OPEN on Saturday. Great news for those with kids.
Any news on timings of this, no response from Twitter :/
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I messaged @AVFCSupport on Twitter and they have confirmed the fun zone IS OPEN on Saturday. Great news for those with kids.
Any news on timings of this, no response from Twitter :/
It’s been a while now since I’ve been with my lad, but they used to be open by 12ish and were still open at 2.45pm. The ones left were parents desperately trying to coax their kids away from the place!
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Took my 4 year old lad to his first game vs watford last week. He cried on every goal and we left at 3-0. He did blame his tears on being surrounded by home fans though. He’s still well up for his VP debut this weekend
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Planning on taking my little girl (7) to her first match this season. She's really in to sport generally, but it was quite sweet how she asked about going to football. For context, she knows I support Aston Villa but has no idea where that is. We've taken her to Birmingham a few times tho on day trips, mostly for shopping.
"Daddy, would you take me to a football match?"
"Yeah of course, we'll try to get to one soon"
"Do they play football in Birmingham?"
"They do, yeah"
"I'd like to watch a football match in Birmingham"
"Yeah, I think me and grampy Taylor would too..."
Anyway, my cousin's daughter - a few months older than her - also wants to go too for her first game so that'll be nice hopefully, if she's got a little football mate.
Veered madly off topic. Planning to take a tablet with some films on, mostly for the travelling, and some drinks & snacks. Maybe a little toy or something for in the ground. Then probably take her shopping in the morning, go to the family fun zone thing, then with any luck she'll enjoy the experience & have a friend to talk to if/when she gets bored.
That's brilliant mate. I hope she enjoys her visit and no doubt will fall in love with it all.
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I messaged @AVFCSupport on Twitter and they have confirmed the fun zone IS OPEN on Saturday. Great news for those with kids.
Any news on timings of this, no response from Twitter :/
It’s been a while now since I’ve been with my lad, but they used to be open by 12ish and were still open at 2.45pm. The ones left were parents desperately trying to coax their kids away from the place!
Sounds about right but I’ve got a feeling it opens at 1
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My 6 year old has his first match next week v Brentford..
Definitely going to go early, walk around, fun zone thing, shop visit, dirty burger, and yes to a tablet.... He loves the FotMob app, looking at the tables, results and highlights of other games.
The noise is my worry, because it will be loud!
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Ear defenders.
I took them to Wembley for an England game a couple of years ago. He didn't need them. Villa Park however they are a must.
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So what’s actually on offer in the Fun Zone?
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My 6 year old has his first match next week v Brentford..
Definitely going to go early, walk around, fun zone thing, shop visit, dirty burger, and yes to a tablet.... He loves the FotMob app, looking at the tables, results and highlights of other games.
The noise is my worry, because it will be loud!
Depends where you're sitting. I took my lad a couple of years ago when he was 5 and we were up in the top tier of the Trinity where the "family area" is/was. He had no need for ear protection up there. It would've been a different story in the Holte though.
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So what’s actually on offer in the Fun Zone?
There is normally inflatables, face painting, games of football, a DJ. That sort of thing.
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My 6 year old has his first match next week v Brentford..
Definitely going to go early, walk around, fun zone thing, shop visit, dirty burger, and yes to a tablet.... He loves the FotMob app, looking at the tables, results and highlights of other games.
The noise is my worry, because it will be loud!
Depends where you're sitting. I took my lad a couple of years ago when he was 5 and we were up in the top tier of the Trinity where the "family area" is/was. He had no need for ear protection up there. It would've been a different story in the Holte though.
Nice one. I went for the Trinity for that reason. Ordered ear defenders just in case.
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So what’s actually on offer in the Fun Zone?
There is normally inflatables, face painting, games of football, a DJ. That sort of thing.
Mascots for photos too I think. Any confirmation on opening time helpful / official word it’s open?
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Just found:
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/august/Matchday-Guide-Aston-Villa-v-Newcastle-United/
Fun Zone
The family Fun Zone returns to Villa Park’s Academy Building on Saturday from 1-3pm.
Young Villans can take part in a number of exciting, fun activities ahead of kick-off. We have Foot Pool, Football Darts, Strike a Light, a climbing wall, an assault course, a sweeper arm and a 10ft buzzwire.
To help keep people safe, sanitiser stations will be provided at each activity and a one-way system will be in place for entry and exit to minimise contact and allow for social distancing. Face masks will be required in the fun zone in line with government guidance on face masks in crowded indoor spaces.
Entry is via the main fun zone entrance (car park side of the Academy Building) and exit via the door at the back left of the Academy Building leading back out on to the Villa Village car park.