First Albion match for the nipper.

[Simster]

I can't decide at what age my 2 year old son should be taken to his first Albion game? Current favourites are the play off final if we get there, or Sept 25th next season. But the thing is, will he get anythng out of it, and will I have to pay for him on the gate or could he sit on my lap as he is under 3?

Has anyone else on here with kids taken their toddlers to matches and is it worth it?

 

[Bozza]

My daughter Madison went to a fair few games when she was only a few weeks old but soon got to that age where she wants couldn't sit still for the sort of time required.

At 18 months, her visit to Ashton Gate this Saturday will be her first for more than a year and it will be interesting to see how she reacts. She already picks up all Albion visual references and immediately lets out a "Seagulls", often accompanied by a raised arm. She could be a busy young lady on Saturday!

 

[Simster]

Yeah I tend to think I missed out by not taking him when he was a few months old - they're so easy at that age. I'll be interested to know how it goes on Saturday for you - I hope for your sake she doesn't get bored...

 

[Bozza]

The good lady is expecting to not see the whole game. We're members of the David Lloyd club that is a few minutes walk away and has a play area - they may spend more of the game there!

 

[Cadiz Seagull]

Whatever game he goes to (or at least the first one he'll understand) will be a crap 0-0 draw. And he'll be a fan for life. That's what happened to my son.
That's the great thing about being an Albion fan; no matter how bad the game is you've just seen, you've always seen them play worse before!

 

[lincs seagull]

My daughter went when she was 3 we scored everyone got up cheered they scored she cheered on her own.

she loved it you must take him.

Her third word was seagulls and anything in blue and white gets a brighton shout.

most grounds will let him in free at that age.

Get them young

 

[Deano's Right Foot]

My daughter went to the Goldstone at about 3 years old, but I spent most of the time drawing Mr Men for her and missing most of the action. She wasn't particularly interested except when Perry Digweed or Nicky Rust did a long kick. "Wow, that went high daddy!"

My son went to the REMF match last year at 2 1/2, but I spent most of the time trying to keep him off the pitch! We ended up playing football behind the North Stand, but at the final whistle he rushed on to score a goal in the East goal, until Hart's Shirt stole the ball from him and made him cry!

I think that I'll try for a real match with him at about four when he can follow the action more easily.

 

[Gwylan]

My first game was a 3-2 home defeat and my first Albion goal was an o.g. Still a fan for life though.

 

[Lush]

Whatever game he goes to (or at least the first one he'll understand) will be a crap 0-0 draw. And he'll be a fan for life. That's what happened to my son.
That's the great thing about being an Albion fan; no matter how bad the game is you've just seen, you've always seen them play worse before!

That exactly what happened at my first game!

My advice is only take them when they are not going to interrupt YOUR enjoyment of the footie.

However, if the only way you're going to be let out on a Saturday to go to the match is by taking the little angel/rampaging toddler with you, then perhaps you should start now!

 

[Simster]

I've always fancied bringing him along and often imagine how cool it would be to let him run onto the pitch in the Albion goalmouth just as the opposition striker goes clear on goal totally unopposed.

Glorious scenes as the ref awards a drop ball and Albion choose to contest it because nimble Kerry Mayo would easily have caught up with fat, slow Scott Murray despite giving him a 10 yard head start.

Famous forever, and think of all those "what happened next?" clips.

 

[Brighton till i die]

me and the misses are expecting our first in November - i cant wait to take him/her to their first Brighton game!!

gonna leave it a couple of months though!!

 

[Brovion]

Took my son at six months into the North Stand (1-3 home defeat to Port Vale, last game of the 92/93? season). Everybody said "you're mad" but apart from the fact my arms ached for rest of the weekend he was no problem.

And Cadiz you're spot on! My daughter's first game (aged 5) was a dire 0-0 home draw against, I think, Rotherham. She's now so much of a fan that coming back late at night on a recent school trip they stopped at the Burger King at the Goldstone retail park. When she realised where she was and despite the fact she was starving she wouldn't get out of the mini-bus or accept any food. In fact she kep her eyes shut until she felt that the bus had been moving again for about 5 minutes when she reckoned it was safe to look.

 

[Brighton till i die]

quality - good girl!!!!

 

[Indefatigable]

Good girl. Give her some more pocket-money. She will go far.

 

[Lammy]

me and the misses are expecting our first in November - i cant wait to take him/her to their first Brighton game!!

gonna leave it a couple of months though!!

So am I!!! My sprog is due on November 28th!!

Haven't decided how old he/she will need to be before the brain washing can commence. But I remember my first game at the goldstone I was bored stupid. Couldn't see much and didn't really understand what was going on. I wasn't really into football much though as a kid. The bug didn't REALLY take hold until my teens.

 

[Brighton till i die]

So am I!!! My sprog is due on November 28th!!

Haven't decided how old he/she will need to be before the brain washing can commence. But I remember my first game at the goldstone I was bored stupid. Couldn't see much and didn't really understand what was going on. I wasn't really into football much though as a kid. The bug didn't REALLY take hold until my teens.

yeah me 2!!

used to go woth my dad to goldstone and went to old trafford in `93 for FA cup 3rd round when we lost 1-nil!!
didnt really get hooked til late teens, wild horses couldnt keep me away now!!!

i think he/she is due on the 22nd Nov!!!

(we will have to compare notes on how bitchy the other halfs can get!!!!!!! )

 

[oldham gull]

A dire warning not to leave it too late..........
Like you, I thought my toddler would not sit still so I didn't take him to his first game until he was 5. Whilst he enjoyed it, it was not enough to convince him, especially as we lost 2.0 to Oldham and Zamora got a red card.
He now proudly wears a latics shirt, I have to take him to as many games as I can. It is all wrong, if only I could turn the clock back!! Not a mistake I will be repeating with the other 2. Be warned!!

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Just a thought....let's say you're losing a critical game at the end of a season. We couldn't get the game abandoned, as we'd all be banned for life subsequently.

But how about everyone take their (under 10) kids or borrow someone elses's kids for the day. Then if it was all going tits up on the pitch, you could release all the children on to the pitch, get them to dig holes, roll in the mud, climb on the nets, everything small children enjoy doing.

Presto! Game abandoned, and no criminal charges as they're all too young to be held responsible.

I will suggest this to the next club to acquire an Archer-like chairman.



"Brighton & Hove Albion versus Colchester United: match abandoned due to toddler-logged pitch"

 

[Scoffers]

my twin boys are almost 7 months old, if we get to the playoff final, I am seriously considering taking them for their first match, just have to convince my wife that it's a good idea!

 

[Train Spotter]

Last Saturday I took all 5 of my childen to Withdean.
As for paying, I've never paid for any of them until at least 5 years old.
Away games are best, take a pram and get some stupid steward to open a gate for you, all the others walk in for free.
Did that at Stockport this season, my 10 year old bunked in.
Even managed it at Cardiff a couple of years ago.
Taking just 4 tomorrow, 1 pram, and loadsa tinnies for the train !