Colinjb Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Mrs Colinjb's little girl is 2 years and 4 months old and following on from the explaination of where I go every other weekend is already asking if she can 'go and see the Saints.' I'm sure she is too young at the moment to appreciate what is going on but I am open to suggestion. How old were your kids when you took them to their first match? How did they react to it? How important was the choice of game? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
letissisgod Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Took my little lad recently to the Brentford game, bad choice I know, but it was for a birthday treat. It was his second Birthday and amazingly he sat in his seat for the full 90 minutes. I was prepared for him to last about 10 minutes, but he was completely glued. This was his second game, his first was the Ajax game, aged 7 months, he watched about 10 mins then slept through the rest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anothersaintinsouthsea Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Took my little lad recently to the Brentford game, bad choice I know, but it was for a birthday treat. It was his second Birthday and amazingly he sat in his seat for the full 90 minutes. I was prepared for him to last about 10 minutes, but he was completely glued. This was his second game, his first was the Ajax game, aged 7 months, he watched about 10 mins then slept through the rest. Blimey, my nipper is nearly 3 and hadn't even considered taking him yet! How did he react when people shouted at the ref or when a goal was scored? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paris Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 I hope to come over in Febuary and it's poss that i'll take my daughter to her first match she'll be 5yrs & 8 mnths .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 No point taking kids before they're 5 years old and even after that I'd stick to pre-season games, reserves etc, early rounds of league cup matches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmel Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Took both of mine when they 4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dimond Geezer Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 My eldest sons first match was the 1st game at St Marys against Espanyol when he was 4 years old. After the initial interest waned I kept his spirits up with sweets & fizzy pop. I don't think he slept for 2 days after that. He started going to occasional games during the 2002/2003 season, including the FA Cup final, which incidentally was the first match he saw saints lose, we had tears. He's been a sesaon ticket holder since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70's Mike Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Took my eldest , now 23, to the Dell when he was 5. Vital game against Villa and he did not like the noise. But my the time he was 7 had a season ticket Youngest lad is 15 and saw the first game at SMS Supporting SAints teaches them about life, ups and downs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simo Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 My youngest is 4 I first took him a couple of seasons ago and he loves it he's been 6 times this season can tell you who Lambert , Barnard and Adam Banana is from up in the stand he also knows a few songs ! Obviously it pretty much depends where you sit and what team we're playing etc . It's never too early imo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durleyfos Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 My eldest is 3 1/5 and I wouldn't consider taking him until he's at least 6. Then I'd probably take him to an Eastleigh game or a pre season friendly at St Marys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy_D Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Rule of thumb I've heard is if they know the offside rule, they're old enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toomer Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Took my daughter to her first game when she was 7 as the old boy that sat next to me in the Upper Centre West Stand let me take over his ST due to his health, she decided not to go any more when she met the son-in-law when she was 18. My Dad took me to my first game in October 1959 as a fith birthday treat stood down the front of The Milton as they say the rest is history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Godfather Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 My old man took me to my first game when I was seven and that was in 1982, he wouldn't even consider taking me before that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dimond Geezer Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 My eldest is 3 1/5 and I wouldn't consider taking him until he's at least 6. Then I'd probably take him to an Eastleigh game or a pre season friendly at St Marys Bloody hell that's accurate, 3years & 73 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlesaint Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 He started going to occasional games during the 2002/2003 season, including the FA Cup final, which incidentally was the first match he saw saints lose, we had tears. Fancy showing yourself up in front of the nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vince Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Took my 3yo nipper to his first game in April of the season when it looked like we would go bust, just so I could tell him he went. He has a 100% win record. I'd say that was too young though, they can't concentrate and from 20 minutes in, he wanted to go. My advice is to take things they can play with/do/colour in/break/eat etc - avoid lots of drink early on, as you'll be in the loo more often than in your seat (took my nephew to the Dell and make that mistake - cue huge roar and when I asked a steward what happened, he replied "a Matty screamer!". My nephew never saw Matty score ever again). I'm tempted to do one of the hospitality things for £49+vat next time, since he'll be free to come with my (he's 5 now) and would get more out of it that way, I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Rule of thumb I've heard is if they know the offside rule, they're old enough. How Old is Waigio? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmel Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Supporting SAints teaches them about life' date=' ups and downs.[/quote'] Any idea when the "Ups" start coming? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucks Saint Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Not before 18, in order to cope with the emotional rollercoaster that is our club Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bender Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Bizarly my little girl of 2 yrs and 2 months would happily sit through but my boy of the same age would just get irratable and probably run on the pitch or something. Cant wait to take them to SMS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint phil Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 My 6 year old son is a season ticket holder this year for the first time after taking him to wembley for the jpt when he was 5 3/4 last season as the first game. Other than the aforementioned requirement to distract him with sweets and crisps during the dull periods/half time there are no problems and indeed saints have rapidly become his obsession (not what his Man utd supporting mother wanted!!!). I think the timing for him has been pretty much perfect and I wish my dad had done the same earlier with me in hindsight. Also have a second son who will be 5 in Feb and will get him a ticket next season and try him out for a game towards the summer. In my experience its not the noise that will be an issue (actually he loves it) but more the concentration span plus the risk that a few bad experiences and you risk losing them to United or Chelsea for life just like all their mates..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint-scooby Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 I cant remember so just sent them a text, I think they were about 7 or 8 ish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 I'm now 22, and I went to my first game when I was 4 at the dell. I can remember it well, played Palace and think we won 1-0 ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyLove Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 I'm planning on not even waiting on the cord being cut before I whisk it off to SMS. Course this depends on if and when I have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yamms_schmitz Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 I got taken in the pram as a baby. Get on with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint lard Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Now my little boy has just turned 5 yrs old and is genuinly taking an interest and demanding to be Saints on FIFA,table footie and such like he will venture to his first game,accompanied by myself and his grandad. I will be bursting when i take him to the megastore to by him his first proper kit,he did have a mini kit when he was about 18 months,coupled wth the fact their will be 3 generations of us going together. My deciding factor will be when/if the weather is a little more conjusive for a little'un. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Bognor Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 I took 1 of my twin daughters aged 5 to the wallsall game last season ...didn't show too much interest, but we won 5-0. Took the other twin to the Huddersfield game last season and we won 5-1. Took the 1st twin to the Exeter game last week (now aged 6) and it was a totally different experience (and we won 4-0). So between the them, they have seen 14 goals in three games. To make things fair, the question is, when should I take the 2nd twin again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swannymere Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Took my Godson to a pre-season friendly at St.Mary's when he was 5, he lasted longer than i did, it was a complete bore-fest! He started taking a real interest after about his 3 game but then he was a in a question-a-minute-mode which didn't bother me but i think his dad was grateful for the tag-team answering. I think the interest is increased when they start school and they get to play every week in PE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70's Mike Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Any idea when the "Ups" start coming? As i point out to the lads, Villa Park in 2003 followed by Cardiff Wembley last season Suffering now makes the future mean more never forget 50 years ago we had never been in the top division Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick1976.4.38 Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 took my son at the age of six,against fulham at the cottage,we lost,but he still loves the saints.its a good age,they arent getting bored and wanting to go to the loo every five minutes,or wanting to go home cos they are bored.its good to take them before they see too much of the glory hunting teams on sky cos then its an uphill battle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecuk268 Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Started taking my nipper to Reserve games when they were at the Dell when he was about 5. His first "real" game was at home to Ipswich when he was 6. 7 goals, a penalty and a sending off. Trouble was he thought every game was going to be like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redondo Saint Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Took my lad to the Dell in '97 when he was 6. He loved it and still talks about it. We beat Barnsley 4 -1! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Not mine but at the JPT final a young girl behind me had her baby on the bottle most of the match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint-scooby Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 About 6 or 7 so they tell me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deppo Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 I still can't concentrate for more than 20 minutes before I start running up and down the aisles and needing a wee every 5 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericb Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 I went to my first game aged 5 back in the early/mid eighties. Coventry at home and there was pretty much no one there. My main memory of the match was the box that i was standing on (despite the stand being empty) and getting hit by the ball in the pre match warm up. Guess it depends on the kid though since i've had one infront of me before who just played his DS the whole game, total waste of a ticket that another saints fan could have, and this was in the days when it wasn't easy to get tickets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barney Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 took my nipper aged4 probably a bit too young.Hes now aged7 and a fully brainwashed red&white season ticket holder brings tears to my eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rogerfryisalegend Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 My eldest is 7 and has been a season ticket holder since he was 4, my youngest is 3 he started going when he was 2, he has a season ticket this year as well, only take them to the Saturday games, they both love it. I do have the advantage that my Brother and Dad also go with us, so plenty of people to keep them in check, I started them both off on a few cup games, they soon got hooked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Katalinic's 'tache Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Took my boy at nearly 3 to his first game, which was the final home game of the 08/09 season, when we were relegated by Burnley. Not an auspicious start, obviously, but I wanted him to go to at least 1 Saints match in case we went bust and didn't 'make it'... Happily, he still goes now - aged 4 1/2 - and really loves it. Hopefully, a future season ticket holder in the making! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
letissisgod Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Blimey, my nipper is nearly 3 and hadn't even considered taking him yet! How did he react when people shouted at the ref or when a goal was scored? To be fair it was the Brentford game, so we never actually scored. We sat in the family section, plenty of empty seats so wasn't particulary noisey. He certainly didnt have a problem with me airing my views though, politely ofcourse. Took plently of stuff to keep him occupied, IPAD etc. but never took it out the bag. He was just content to sit and watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampersound Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 I first took my son when he was 2 to saints v charlton when we lost 3-2 in the championship relegation season and he loved it. He was the only person smiling at the end of the game! So last season I got a season ticket with the free under 8 ticket and he's been coming to the afternoon games since then. He'll be 4 in April and hardly any trouble at all. Just have to put up with 3-4 trips to the toilet and stock up with sweets and juice. Take her to a couple of games and see how it goes is my advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan The Flames Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Took my then 5 year old daughter to the JPT final, she loved the day but got a bit bored with the football and spent the last 20mins with the girl on the next seat doing each others hair. Still she is a big Southampton fan and has the kit, scarf and hat, she keeps asking when we will be playing Arsenal (her Granddad is an Arsenal fan), I keep telling her when Arsenal are good enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintandy666 Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 (edited) I went to a couple of reserve matches before SMS opened in 2001. That was about the age of 5 or 6 upwards. I first started going regularly in 2001 though I was 8, almost 9. I enjoyed that a lot and still go with my dad today at the age of 18! Edited 5 January, 2011 by Saintandy666 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Started taking my nipper when he was 5. He's 8 now and goes home and away with me and has a season ticket. Started with a pre-season games and then a couple of away games to see how he got on. He's hooked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amesbury Saint Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 Took my son when he has 3 & 9 months. Still remember the day as he stood on the seats singing OWTSGMI. 14 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 My son was 5 in September, Saturday will be his first game. At Colchester away a few years ago (Layer Road) I saw a couple of Saints fans with their son who was really young, maybe 6 months old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThorpG Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 My daughter is nearly 2. I reckon I will take her when she is 4 or 5. Maybe her first Saints game will be in the Premier League... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Balls Posted 5 January, 2011 Share Posted 5 January, 2011 My first game was when I was 5. We played Everton (as I was an Everton fan for some reason, my dad didn't force Saints on me despite being a big fan) and drew 1-1. From then on I've been a Saints fan. The next year I had my first season ticket, I'm now onto my 18th. I'm actually glad we got relegated as all I knew was Premier League, now I'll appriciate it when we get back there. I would say 4-5 is a good age to take a kid to their first few games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westofshannonsaint Posted 6 January, 2011 Share Posted 6 January, 2011 My daughter is nearly 2. I reckon I will take her when she is 4 or 5. Maybe her first Saints game will be in the Premier League... you'll have to bring her to a championship game so she'll be a REAL saints fan.........."i've seen Saints in the lower leagues" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iansums Posted 6 January, 2011 Share Posted 6 January, 2011 I was lucky enough to take my daughter to her first game as a hospitality guest. She was 7 at the time and loved it, more for the food than the football. She does come with me to the odd game but only at the start and end of the season as she refuses to go in the cold weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now