Right of passage!

[notloyalenuffroyal]

I am currently sorting out bringing my 5 (nearly 6) year old son to his first game.

I know lots of nobbers will have great advice and wanted to experience from your expertise (e.g. is the Lower West the best place to start?)

Not only this, but there must be.... "The things you MUST do the first time you go to a football match".

Mine was having a hot chocolate and not being able to see anything as my Dad wouldn't let me go down the front at Elm Park - and I remember going home sad as we lost, but still to this day don't know who we played!

Grateful for any advice.

[SpaceCruiser]

I think you mean "rite".

[Bandini]

Grateful for any advice.

It normally helps to get the Mrs drunk first.

[ZacNaloen]

To be honest. North West is as good a place as any.

Cheaper than the west stand and relatively sparse attendance quiet so won't be much swearing or other unwanted behaviours.

[notloyalenuffroyal]

I thought it was quite a clever play on words

Right passage - the right path - rite of passage.

Oh well - only in my head obviously.

North West sounds good. It is obviously quite important to be low-ish as he will want to meet Kingsley of course!

[blindedbythelights]

honestly, if you're going to bring your kid to football then moan when people start swearing - just dont bother

[notloyalenuffroyal]

honestly, if you're going to bring your kid to football then moan when people start swearing - just dont bother

Oh - it's time to get back on this one is it.

Generally - I don't swear too much at football, but the occasional expletive might pop out.

BUT

I would prefer my 5 year old not to be brought up Effing and Blinding on the football pitch just because some chav has been shouting it in his ear, thinking it is acceptable language to be had in a normal society.

Therefore I would choose - along with many other fans - to sit, (when bringing my 5 year old) in an environment that is a little more sanatised and less vulgar.

Is that a problem? - if it is then why should I bother introducing my son to my favourite club.

[blindedbythelights]

thats why I said don't bother. Really. Don't.

[boycey]

honestly, if you're going to bring your kid to football then moan when people start swearing - just dont bother

Oh - it's time to get back on this one is it.

Generally - I don't swear too much at football, but the occasional expletive might pop out.

BUT

I would prefer my 5 year old not to be brought up Effing and Blinding on the football pitch just because some chav has been shouting it in his ear, thinking it is acceptable language to be had in a normal society.

Therefore I would choose - along with many other fans - to sit, (when bringing my 5 year old) in an environment that is a little more sanatised and less vulgar.

Is that a problem? - if it is then why should I bother introducing my son to my favourite club.

LOL at worrying your son will pick up bad language at a football game.

Have you heard the language used in the average school playground? (no paedo)

[notloyalenuffroyal]

LOL at worrying your son will pick up bad language at a football game.

Have you heard the language used in the average school playground? (no paedo)

I'm a teacher!

I hear it! I stop it! Because otherwise I get accused in the media of causing riots with some sort of broken society - "We've got to get the teachers to sort this out" nonsene! Why do they do it? Because footballers, football fans and parents swear in front of them. What do children learn? What people teach them.

As a responsible adult, if I have young children around me I don't swear - if I am out late with some friends or at home I might swear - ooh aren't I hard!

I don't get stressed about it - but what is wrong with wanting my son to grow up without it and being able to go to a public place, where I have paid £35 to get in and not be exposed to it. Would you go out to dinner and expect everyone around you to swear?

Surely me finding somewhere to sit where it is less likely to happen is sensible isn't it blindedbythelights?

You go and enjoy yourself - I'll enjoy myself. Just keep your language away from young kids so they don't have to grow up as unpleasant as you want them to be. If we stop swearing at kids - they might stop swearing - amazing!

[FiNeRaIn]

You seem to be of the opinion only chav's swear at football matches. It'll be a rude awakening when you are surrounded by lawyers and accountants screaming out expletives.

[manny96]

To be honest. North West is as good a place as any.

Cheaper than the west stand and relatively sparse attendance quiet so won't be much swearing or other unwanted behaviours.

^ This. Plus if you're in the opposite corner to me, I won't try and hug your missus again.

I don't think I swore too much at Wembley but was steaming so can't really remember.

[TFF]

OP - you sound like an upper west kind of a guy to me.

[TBM]

Not got a problem with swearing at football but kids or no kids i'd tell someone to shut the fcuk up if they were constantly yelling "pcunt pcunt pcunt pcunt" in my ear for 90mins

[ZacNaloen]

Kingley is always in the NW corner as well, it's his favourite hang out.

[Row Z Royal]

Not got a problem with swearing at football but kids or no kids i'd tell someone to shut the fcuk up if they were constantly yelling "pcunt pcunt pcunt pcunt" in my ear for 90mins

Thought you'd be used to it from the missus m8.





Anyway, the family in front of us have it right. Young lad can get excited and shout and occasionally swear at a game (he's maybe 10?) but once the games over, then it's back to normal.

It's a bit like the French and wine - get them on it early doors with meals and they learn that it's for certain occasions only, rather than a 'treat' or something that makes them look cool in front of their m8s.

[ZacNaloen]

I only swear at bad referees

[manny96]

something that makes them look cool in front of their m8s.

Yeah but swearing, like smoking, is actually cool. You just can't tell them that.

[Row Z Royal]

something that makes them look cool in front of their m8s.

Yeah but swearing, like smoking, is actually cool. You just can't tell them that.

Fair point.

[Terminal Boardom]

1. Buy a programme so that your son will have a reminder of his first game
2. Buy him some bovril
3. Explain that what he hears at football stays at football
4. Take some soft drinks in with you preferably with the bottle tops intact.
5. Check the weather forecast. If good then aim for seats in the lower 10 rows of the North Stand
6. Enjoy