Sergei Gotsmanov Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 Want to take my daughter to see Saints. She is four years old is this too young? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 No harm trying, but I doubt she'd be interested in the match itself at that age. She might enjoy the occasion and the spectacle of going to a large stadium though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 She is a girl, take her to Ballet lessons. 4 is fine though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamesaint Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 I took my lad when he was 5. It was against West Ham and we won with a Jason screamer from 25 yards out. To be honest it was the best thing I could have done. At the time he was just getting into football and from then onwards he was hooked on the Saints. I think it is the atmosphere which gets to them when they are at that age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simo Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 My boy is 4 and has been going since early last season been about 9 times this season and loves it he's saints mad now ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry the Badger Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 . I think it is the atmosphere which gets to them when they are at that age. I'm 29 and it's the atmosphere which gets to me at this age! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 Want to take my daughter to see Saints. She is four years old is this too young? Try her with a pre-season game. At 4 90mins of an important game seems a very long time (for both of you and those around you). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minsk Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 Want to take my daughter to see Saints. She is four years old is this too young? She is a girl, take her to Ballet lessons. 4 is fine though Took my daughter to her first match when she was 4. Went with with friends and their kids of similar age which helped. Being half Belarusian she now loves Saints and ballet!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70's Mike Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 Eldest went to Dell at 6 years old and has had season ticket ever since Youngest to St Marys on opening day season ticket holder since You need lots of patience and lots of little mind games to convince them that supporting local team live is better than supporting United or Chelsea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itchen Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 (edited) My dad took me to my first game when I was 7. Although he was from Southampton, we lived in SE London then so this was at Charlton. I remember the score was 5-2 to Saints. I've just done a bit of Googling and have worked out that this was 17th October 1964. Saints finished 4th in Division 2 (now the Championship) that season. Despite flirting with Charlton when a teenager, I always looked for Saints results and would support them when they were playing locally (especially at Crystal Palace). And when I eventually moved back here as an adult, there was only one team to support, probably thanks to that first result. Edited 28 March, 2011 by itchen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAPEL END CHARLIE Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 I'm on the horns of the same dilemma, I'd love to take my 4 year old godson to his first game (he's already annoying his MUFC supporting parents with constant talk of Ricky Lambert & Lee Barnard) but I dread having to publicly explain the intricacies of the 'off side' rule to him - possibly because I don't really understand it myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70's Mike Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 I'm on the horns of the same dilemma, I'd love to take my 4 year old godson to his first game (he's already annoying his MUFC supporting parents with constant talk of Ricky Lambert & Lee Barnard) but I dread having to publicly explain the intricacies of the 'off side' rule to him - possibly because I don't really understand it myself. Found a tube of smarties helped with off side rule Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMikey Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 My first professional football game was when I was 6 - Aberdeen vs St. Johnstone at McDiarmid Park in 1997. Boring game, but I loved it. If she's interested in football then take her along, but you shouldn't force her to be interested in it. Remember, she's a 4 year old girl, not a 14 year old boy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 My daughter is 5 and has a season ticket she likes to come with me a her brother (although I don't take her to every match like my son). To be honest I think she likes the half time snacks more than the football. Also be prepared to keep missing goals when your taking her to the toilet. I've missed three this season already, don't worry you'll now Saints have scored becuase you can still her the cheering in the toilet................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 My first professional football game was when I was 6 - Aberdeen vs St. Johnstone at McDiarmid Park in 1997. Boring game, but I loved it. If she's interested in football then take her along, but you shouldn't force her to be interested in it. Remember, she's a 4 year old girl, not a 14 year old boy. That wealth of child rasing experience you have makes you suitably qualified to advise someone how to bring his children up doesn't it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint lard Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 Will be taking my 5yr old little boy to the last home game of the season.His first venture to footie,he is already singing OWTSGMI....constantly getting "knock knock....who's there......Owen...... My dad will be with us to. Three generations of us,i will be a very proud dad. Just hope he enjoys it, as i'm sure it will be an expensive day out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 Will be taking my 5yr old little boy to the last home game of the season.His first venture to footie,he is already singing OWTSGMI....constantly getting "knock knock....who's there......Owen...... My dad will be with us to. Three generations of us,i will be a very proud dad. Just hope he enjoys it, as i'm sure it will be an expensive day out! Will you not have ruined it for him before he's got there by telling him how sh*t we are and are probably going to lose today? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 My nipper is just short of 9 and has been going home and away for 3 seasons. Before that it was the occasional pre-season and home game. I found younger than that he got too restless from about 70mins onwards but from the age of about 6 he could go the 90mins. I wouldn't dream of going to a game without him now (3 in the last 3 seasons without him). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leyton Lundekvam Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 I took my daughter to her first match at age 7 months. I think we can say a tad too early... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericb Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 i went first went at the age of four and enjoyed it, got to say though if you do please don't take them in the northam there's too many kids there these days already. Talking of which - and this might've been made up in my head - but i'm sure the first season of st mary's the northam was an "adult only" stand. When did this change? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint lard Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 Will you not have ruined it for him before he's got there by telling him how sh*t we are and are probably going to lose today? Strangely i have done everything in my power to tell him how great we are so that he does not follow other clubs like man utd,chelsea and the fact we live in close proximity to PFC. And i back us to win every game on the prediction league,perhaps that is where i'm going wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St.Patrik Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 Took my daugthers aged 6 & 7 to Norway for the preseason game against Svarstad, even if Saints won 12-0 they lost interest after about 10 mins into second half. Took my oldest on her 10th b-day to the FA cup game against Pompey and she really enjoyed the game - so when people ask me - 10ish is a good age - but then again thats just my opinoin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 (edited) My first game was at of 8 wallopped by a Spurs side of Chivers, Gilzean et al around 67. 2nd was the Man of Charlton Law & Best wallopping same year Milk crate at the front of West Stand for that one - I learnt fast My Daughters first game at age 8 I can remember was the ZDS Cup Final BUT I think she went about 5 and sat on the crush barrier on the Milton dressed up and loved it My Eldest Son's first game (still goes when he can) was 5 no idea who but he was on the Milton sitting on a Crash Barrier. His face outside Wembley some 19 years later for the JPT is in the list of top 5 things I will never forget My youngest son's first game was Poopey in the Cup last year at age 22, with his brother - it NEARLY cured him of the evil ex wife's influence by turning him from Scouse to Saints, maybe if The Cheats hadn't cheated again we'd have made the full conversion. He's coming back in a few weeks and wants to go again Edited 28 March, 2011 by dubai_phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Katalinic's 'tache Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 My son is nearly 5 and is about to break into double figures gameswise. Loves going, knows most of the (clean) songs and I'd agree with the fella who said that it's the atmosphere which hooks them (that and Jaidi's goal celebrations in recent games). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simo Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 Btw under 8's season tickets are free when you get an adult one ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Katalinic's 'tache Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 Btw under 8's season tickets are free when you get an adult one ! A real bonus at the moment. It'll be interesting if that remains the policy if we ever get back to the Prem... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 Strangely i have done everything in my power to tell him how great we are so that he does not follow other clubs like man utd,chelsea and the fact we live in close proximity to PFC. And i back us to win every game on the prediction league,perhaps that is where i'm going wrong. He probably knows you dont really believe it though, kids are very perceptive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony F Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 Sergei, I think the key question to ask yourself is if your daughter understands football (you know, the basic stuff) and WANTS to go - or if you want to take her because you're an enthusiastic Dad. If its the first option, then definitely try it but be prepared for her to ask to go to the loo at least once in each half (kids do that when they think they're having an adventure - being able to wind you around their finger seems to heighten the experience!!), you'll probably miss lots of the action looking for things she's dropped or opening new packets of sweets etc. If it goes well you might, just might, have a great day out together.....but no guarantees. If it is option 2 (ie your idea, rather then hers). then just don't do it. You'll save yourself a lot of trouble and have no regrets. Try again after you've got her interest and it IS her idea.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denzil Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 Lock her in the coal shed and go on the lash with your mates instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Right sider Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 My daughter went at 3. Take magazine/book and some toys in case she starts to loose attention. By the 2nd or 3rd game they won't need them as they'll get used to 90 mins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastleighSoulBoy Posted 28 March, 2011 Share Posted 28 March, 2011 I first took nipper to the Lazio and Palace games (2007) hoping to interest him. I gave up because he was so fidgety, up and down to the loo etc. I chatted to him for ages, to be sure of his attitude, and we bought season tickets this year. He's now 9 and those few years made all the difference. The guy behind me in the Chapel brings his daughters. All they'll know after a game is if the GK wore a pink top! The rest of the game was spent kicking the back of my seat which, after a very reasonable spell, I talked to him about. They are now well behaved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint lard Posted 29 March, 2011 Share Posted 29 March, 2011 He probably knows you dont really believe it though, kids are very perceptive. He does take after his dad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windmill Arm 2 Posted 29 March, 2011 Share Posted 29 March, 2011 Want to take my daughter to see Saints. She is four years old is this too young?OMG !!!! Absoluteley YES she's too young. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richie Posted 29 March, 2011 Share Posted 29 March, 2011 I am taking my son to his first game in a couple of weeks. Leyton Orient!! Sitting in the family stand. He will be 5 in June. He probably wont remember any of it and will get a bit fidgity but I want to make sure he is saints and nothing else!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charliegeorgesflymo Posted 29 March, 2011 Share Posted 29 March, 2011 that was about the age I took my twin girls - suggestion pack an ipod with a few TV programmes on it or DS - that way after 10 minutes she'll be happy and you can watch the game in peace! Avoid the Northam as it can be a bit intimidating for a 4 year old on occasions!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(not THE) Kevin Moore Posted 29 March, 2011 Share Posted 29 March, 2011 Try her with a pre-season game. At 4 90mins of an important game seems a very long time (for both of you and those around you). This. I took my son at about 4 and we chose a pre-season game (Chievo) because I didn't want to force him to stay if he was bored (I didn't want 'going to the footie with Dad' to become a chore, but something he wanted to do) and I'd resent leaving early if I'd paid full price and it was a game of importance!! He lasted until about 80 minutes then we bailed... and I missed 'Jean Claude's' only Saints goal, but he was hooked and we've been regularly since. I took my daughter to her first when she was 5 and that's probably a slighter better age as they can concentrate a bit more and for longer (it didn't help that I chose the Swindon JPT game mind). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
influx Posted 29 March, 2011 Share Posted 29 March, 2011 I took my daughter to Northampton away when she was 4, big mistake as I think i put off football for life. We got to the ground late, and the first thing saw as we walked in the ground was some knuckle dragger holding his head with blood pouring out, i think she saw that even befor she noticed the pitch or the game. She enjoyed the train journey though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wild-saint Posted 29 March, 2011 Share Posted 29 March, 2011 I took my boy t0 his first gameaged 5 to the Sheffield Untied game on the last day of the season. 5 goals, 1 red card and he went on th pitch after. He is now a season ticket holder aged 8 and know lots of the songs. Oh I took him to his first away game the other week Charlton Away. Might i say than you to the guy sat behind him who seemed tobe starting lots of songs for letting him know the full words to the lallana song. He said to me during the game "Dad I thought it goes Adam Lallana makes Messi look rubbish!" Oh well lets hope he doesnt tell his mum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
influx Posted 29 March, 2011 Share Posted 29 March, 2011 Rule 1 I know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simo Posted 29 March, 2011 Share Posted 29 March, 2011 OMG !!!! Absoluteley YES she's too young. Why ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 29 March, 2011 Share Posted 29 March, 2011 I've taken my 5 year old son to 2 games this season. Blackpool, which he really enjoyed, and Carlisle which bored him rigid, although he wasn't the only one who had that reaction. He's not massively into football but does take an interest in Saints mainly because I go to most games. Before I went to Bournemouth he told me that he wanted them to win because he likes Bournemouth and saw the dinosaur exhibition at the BIC and they have a beach. I told him that if he said that again he couldn't play on his DS for a week, after which he said he hoped it was a draw. I think at that age the atmosphere is vital to their enjoyment of the game. He kept looking around at the crowd all the time and was sucked in at the Backpool game by all the singing and the fact that "Guly just whacked it in the goal from miles out", something which he still talks about now. However at the Carlisle game which was very flat he started complaining he was bored after 30 minutes and I had to ply him with sweets to stop him kicking the back of the seat in front and annoying the old bloke in front of us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avenue Saint Posted 29 March, 2011 Share Posted 29 March, 2011 I'm 29 and it's the atmosphere which gets to me at this age! What school did you go to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labibs Posted 29 March, 2011 Share Posted 29 March, 2011 Someone had brought a very young baby to Charlton away the other night, which I thought was a bit weird. Possible they couldn't get a babysitter or something, but the kid couldn't have been more than 1 yr old. Thankfully didn't cry at all! with kids, think it depends on the child, some will be able to focus for the whole game at a young age, some will need to wait until they are a bit older. Think my first few games I was about 9, went with a friend and his dad. First game was brilliant (4-3 v Ipswich) and I was hooked for 90 mins. Next match was a horrible 1-0 loss at home to Man City and I think my attention did wane for a bit of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_saints Posted 29 March, 2011 Share Posted 29 March, 2011 Went to my first match at 6 years old. Can't remember much apart from thinking the stadium was "cool". I ended up going to all the games on my own as a kid. Mum would drop me off and pick me up from the the young saints club. This got me interested in Saints as I was going to all the games, BUT I could also muck around with the other nippers. Also, I give full credit to my Dad. He doesn't even like football really, and there was one time when I decided I was going to support Man United because they win more and my mates did. He wouldn't have any of it and I got a telling off for even contemplating the idea. He may not be a football fan, but atleast he made me support my local team! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsbridge Saint Posted 29 March, 2011 Share Posted 29 March, 2011 I would say 4 is a bit young. She might get bored and never want to go again. If you wait til she's about 6 and say no a couple of times first she will be a fan for life. Besides, we'll be in the Prem then as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 29 March, 2011 Share Posted 29 March, 2011 I can't wait to start making mini SNSUN's and warping their little minds to support Saints. The biggest barrier is my darling fiancee and her Norwich supporting ways. Unlike myself, the only Saints fan in my family, her whole family is from, and supports, Norwich. Except her uncle, who's a Leeds fan. It's a challenge I look forward to facing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alain Perrin Posted 29 March, 2011 Share Posted 29 March, 2011 Rule 1 Are you some kind of sicko? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rational Rich Posted 29 March, 2011 Share Posted 29 March, 2011 Took my daughter to Oldham away when she was 2 and a half. She enjoyed it (once she had got used to the noise), but that was with chocolate buttons, haribo and toys to keep her entertained. She still talks about Chaddy The Owl to this day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minsk Posted 29 March, 2011 Share Posted 29 March, 2011 After conducting some research, I have discovered that I was four and three quarters when my father took me to my first Saints match; a 3-0 win away at Arsenal. All I can remember of the match is where we sat - high up and near the half-way line - and my dad telling me to be quiet as I was singing, very loudly, about how we had won as we were surrounded by thousands of Arsenal fans leaving the stadium. Oh, and I 'think' Ron Davis scored from a Terry Paine centre for the third goal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonraker Posted 29 March, 2011 Share Posted 29 March, 2011 It depends on the child, my experiences are, two of mine at 4, now 10 and 13 both still Saints Fans, eldest son at 6 now 26 still a saints fans, eldest daughter 22 stills a saints fan, grandson was 3 first game Peterborough away absolutely loved it. So my answer is I don't know, but if you think they are ready give it a go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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