What do you mean by "a game"... teaching him basic ball skills and fun is what he should have at that age.
Sorry wasn't very clear. I mean taking him to St Marys I was always planning on leaving until next season but Burnley tickets only a fiver for him
A friend of mine recently took his five year old (spare tickets were on the go), but he had to leave before half time as it was too loud* and he got upset. *It was St Mary's before anyone asks, the West Ham game. Every kid is different of course, but from personal experience of trying to take a child anywhere to sit and watch something for two hours, I would estimate 8 years as a good age. Perhaps have a trial run with a game on the TV.
Mine was my 5th birthday treat.......My sons at 5 was also a birthday treat......his son also a 5th birthday treat.........one of my older granddaughters....6th birthday treat. All still go although not regularly because of their own sport or work but do go when they can...........(Especially when Dad/granddad is paying!!) To be honest it depends on the child...they must want to go..........as it can be very daunting...... agreed not every one is the same though.............
I would encourage every parent or guardian to try to get a youngster to do something, or at the very least, watch something, outside of home life, especially if they are a stay-at-home type. Encourage them to get out there. I have a great nephew who is absolutely manacled to his games console. He's 17 and, as far as I know, still will not travel on a bus or go to a shop on his own because he is uncertain of it. Yes, you say, there are plenty of youngsters who suffer this sort of fright. But, in his case, it had been avoidable. He is an otherwise very confident young person. But he has barely experienced anything of everyday reality in his life. He'd never done anything away from his family strings and his lack of exposure has begun to set a pattern. So get them out there experiencing life. And before you ask why I have not directly encouraged him to do something, I have, several times. I even offered to take him to St Mary's to watch Saints v Chelsea [his favourite team at the time], but he managed to come up with an excuse to duck out of it. And yes, he does like me.
All kids are different, but generally watching football is boring to a 3 year-old. I took my kids to St Mary's from that age a few times and sat in the family section, neither of them enjoyed it. However, when I took them to an away game, they absolutely loved it, the energy, the atmosphere, the noise (ear-plugs are a must though) it wasn't even a good game, 1-1 boxing day game at Craven Cottage. That taught me that if I want my children to enjoy watching the Saints, it had to be about more than what was happening on the pitch, that was secondary, what they enjoy is the great big sing-along and the sense of being part of something tribal.
Ok it's time I gave away my parenting/football attending secret: Take them at any age, just make sure you have your jacket pockets filled with lots of different packs of sweets. Works a treat. Oh and if one of them doesn't go with this, take your mum like I did, so that Granny can take that one for a drink and to the toilet and to see the pigeons and to where that funny burger smell comes from
Nothing changes. They can't sit still for 45 mins as adults either* *Usual argument anyone? We haven't discussed people going early at half- and full-time for a while.
I actually had the reverse tonight. The wife came in with apple crumble for me and the lad in the first half and walked right in front of us. Bloody annoying while we we're trying my to watch the game
That's my thinking too, it will be the atmosphere that hooks him more than the game, so when I go I won't sit in the family area it will be in the Kingsland towards the Northam. Must admit that is my plan too, not a fan of taking tablets etc. to play with but sweets is definitely a good shout I was going to wait until beginning of next Summer, but they have an offer on the Burnley game where his ticket will only be a fiver so won't have lost much if it doesn't go well. Really considering it...
Sunday 15 October 4pm Southampton v Newcastle (Sky Sports) Referee: Kevin Friend Assistants: Constantine Hatzidakis, Matthew Wilkes Fourth official: Roger East
In fairness though, they probably have a greater tactical awareness and overall patience with the game than 90% of the crowd at St Mary's
