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Original poster

Would you let your 14 yr old and 12yr old attend a football match alone?

73 replies

CurlyhairedAssassin · 31/08/2018 17:37

Only 2 tickets available for upcoming Champions League games. Both sons are into football but hardly ever get to go to the game. The plan was for DH to go each time and alternate which son he took. Problem: The first match is a BIG one and both boys would give their right arm to attend.

It is Ds1’s “turn” to attend a match. They all rarely go as can’t get tickets. So he hasn’t been in many months and is excited. But DS2 hasn’t been to as many games in his life as DS1 has and he also hasn’t been for many months either. Plus one of his heroes will be playing. I can see why they both want to go to it and both have good reasons.

DH has suggested he gives up his ticket so they can both go, and he would take them to the turnstiles and pick them up after the game. I have said a shocked “no way! It is an evening game, with a massive foreign side, there could be trouble at the ground and no-one will be there to look after them, you don’t know who they’ll be sitting next to, and they are CHILDREN.”

DH said that he and his brothers used to go in in their own as kids but that was in the days before the Premier League and Sky andloads more families and kids went particularly on a Saturday afternoon as it was cheap (er)

Am I doing the right thing saying no to this? Ds2 is so disappointed.

OP posts:
YeTalkShiteHen · 31/08/2018 17:38

I would let them go, it would be the outside leaving the stadium that would concern me, but if your DH is picking them up I wouldn’t be worried at all.

Plus its a CL match!

shaggedthruahedgebackwards · 31/08/2018 17:39

Yes I think I would let them go if your DH is dropping them off and picking up

Just make sure your DH makes very clear plans about where to meet them after the match and a back up meeting place in case there are any security issues

FallenSky · 31/08/2018 17:42

Which teams? If it is a team (especially the foreign one) which is known for having "fans" who cause trouble then I'd say no. But then again, all depends where they are sat in the stadium, if it is in a family area that might make me feel better about it. My biggest concern would be if something were to happen, would your DS's panic or would they have the ability to follow any emergency procedures and find their way back to their dad?

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YeTalkShiteHen · 31/08/2018 17:43

My experience in my own club’s stadium is that fans always look out for younger fans. There’s a couple of kids who have season ticket seats beside ours and if they’re ever a bit lost or worried I make sure they’re ok. Even phoned one of their Mums once Smile

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 31/08/2018 17:43

I would check the ground regulations first. The stadium I work at doesn't allow unaccompanied children - the 14 year old would be ok but not the 12 year old - he would need someone over 16 with him. They are really strict on it because it's part of their safeguarding rules - I would have been happy for DS to go with his friends at 12 and over but he wouldn't have been allowed in.

YeTalkShiteHen · 31/08/2018 17:43

If it is a team (especially the foreign one) which is known for having "fans" who cause trouble then I'd say no

That’s what segregation gates are for!

Anythingforacatslife · 31/08/2018 17:45

I would let them go. It sounds like they’ve been to matches before and so know their way around a stadium. It’s the outside of the ground which is more likely to be difficult but if DH is taking them and picking them up from right at the turnstile they’ll be fine.

FallenSky · 31/08/2018 17:45

That’s what segregation gates are for!

Unfortunately that's not always the way. Fans could buy tickets in the opposite sides stands, they can climb over, throw flares or other projectiles.

Bunnybigears · 31/08/2018 17:46

Yes I would be fine with it but we live over the road from the local Premiership stadium.

YeTalkShiteHen · 31/08/2018 17:48

Unfortunately that's not always the way. Fans could buy tickets in the opposite sides stands, they can climb over, throw flares or other projectiles

I’ve literally never seen that happen in 30 years of going to games. Guess different stadia have different standards when it comes to safety.

OlennasWimple · 31/08/2018 17:49

Have they been to this stadium lots of times before?

Do the stadium rules allow it?

Do you know anyone else going, even if they are seated somewhere else?

TeeBee · 31/08/2018 17:49

It would depend who the teams are. My eldest went with his mates when he was 14. I would let me 12 year old go if he was sensible and my 14 year old was sensible. So long as you brief them on what to do in an emergency and you can trust them to do that and use their common sense, I would let them go. You know you own kids.

Original poster
CurlyhairedAssassin · 31/08/2018 18:05

It’s LFC v PSG. A Football fan’s dream!

No they haven’t been to the stadium regularly, just 2 or 3 times each. Wouldn’t know anyone else going.

It’s not in a family area, no.

Can’t find the rules about unaccompanied minors on the website, i’ll Ask a friend who is a steward there.

They are sensible but not “streetwise” if you see what I mean. Not “hard”!! Both a bit geeky and quiet. DH says he used to go in the Kop at that age, but he was a much tougher type of kid.

OP posts:
YeTalkShiteHen · 31/08/2018 18:08

PSG aren’t known for troublemaking fans, in fact when we played them at home we had a bloody party with them! Top swapping, scarf swapping, PSG fans in Celtic pubs.

Also, PSG at Anfield on a European night!!!

I’d give my right arm to go and Liverpool aren’t even my first team!

YeTalkShiteHen · 31/08/2018 18:09

And Liverpool fans have a reputation for looking after their own, I honestly would let them if they were mine.

There literally isn’t an atmosphere in the world like a big European night at home.

Aprilshowersinaugust · 31/08/2018 18:12

I have a 14+12 yo and it's a no from me.

YeTalkShiteHen · 31/08/2018 18:14

Also, have to say your DH is some Dad if he is prepared to give up his own ticket to a game like that for one of his boys.

I don’t mean this to be cheeky but unless you’re a football fan, you just can’t and won’t understand how massive this is for your boys.

Original poster
CurlyhairedAssassin · 31/08/2018 18:21

I know and DS2 keeps saying “but, Mum, it’s Neymar!”

Thing is, it seems everyone in this city has a friend or relative who was killed at Hillsborough, we certainly do. I know safety measures are now in place but the nervous part of me thinks “but what if something DID happen? Or even a hoax terrorist attack and they were terrified, with no parent there?”

OP posts:
Screaminginsidemeagain · 31/08/2018 18:24

I asked DH his opinion- categorical no.
“60k people, it will be mental outside the ground and in. 14 year old responsible for 12 year old that’s not fair on either of them”

You know your kids though.

I have been to football only a couple of times and I didn’t like all the drunks and swearing.

Original poster
CurlyhairedAssassin · 31/08/2018 18:24

Yes, he is a fantastic dad and would also be missing the last bit on telly if he had to pick them up.

OP posts:
Original poster
CurlyhairedAssassin · 31/08/2018 18:29

Still haven’t heard From my steward friend but if I’m honest I’m hoping he’ll come back and say that either they don’t allow it or that he really wouldn’t recommend it based on what he’s seen.

OP posts:
YeTalkShiteHen · 31/08/2018 18:32

OP I’m sorry for your loss and I do completely understand your worries.

Please believe me when I tell you that Hillsborough changed everything when it comes to safety in stadia. In fact when we put in our safe standing section the Shankly Society and the families of the 96 were consulted throughout.

On the LFC website it should have evacuation procedures, exits, and how to react in an emergency. There are also stewards all over the place, DP used to be a security supervisor at Celtic Park and every single steward is told the emergency procedures before every single game.

In the (honestly almost impossible in seated areas) even of a crush, there are gates to get fans on to the pitch and advertising hoardings are designed to collapse to allow free movement on to the pitch as part of an emergency response.

Literally every aspect of safety that is humanly possible is controlled in stadia, sadly as a result of horrific incidents like Hillsborough and also the Ibrox disaster.

If you’re still worried about safety procedures contact the LFC SLO (supporters liaison officer) who will be able to reassure you about specifics within Anfield.

bambootwentytwo · 31/08/2018 18:38

I would if they are comfortable with the idea.

Could you take them instead then you could wait nearby rather than going home to watch match in between?

Saidthesharktotheflyingfish · 31/08/2018 18:47

If they would like to go, then I would absolutely let them. I'm not sure what harm anyone thinks might come to them (though I understand that individual club safeguarding issues might prevent it). There will be so many stewards and police to ensure it is a safe place.

I've been going to matches since the age of about 9 or 10, including during the days of proper hooliganism. It is so different now.

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