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Original poster

Premier league football match for a 7 yo. Yes or No?

33 replies

shoebedobedobedobedoo · 29/12/2019 23:22

DS is football crazy and ‘supports‘ a premier League team. I have never followed football and tend to be horrified by the football crowd.....although have come to appreciate that it’s actually an internationally bonding sport. I found some tickets to a game late in the season and suggested taking DS. DH has previously tried to take DS but the tickets were £300 each!!!!! DH doesn’t think I should take DS as I’ll be really shocked by the culture and swearing. (Im not sure why this wasn’t an issue when he was going to take DS). Any thoughts appreciated. I’m happy with noise and light heart banter, but I don’t want to take DS to an event where swearing and racism is considered normal.

OP posts:
TigerDroveAgain · 29/12/2019 23:26

A 7 year old will be fine at a match but I would be surprised if you could avoid swearing frankly. Despite the recent high profile incidents racism is much much less likely. I started taking DS when he was 7: ten years later we now both have season tickets and rarely miss a match

GrumpyHoonMain · 29/12/2019 23:29

I have been to premier league games and never found any behaviour outside of a local derby shocking. One thing you do need to plan for is food - half time gets crazy busy with people racing to get burgers etc so if you can get seats that are fairly accessible to the loos / cafes etc it would be good.

nextdecade · 29/12/2019 23:30

Sit in the family stand, he’s heard worse swearing at school. I’ve taken mine from babies (with ear defenders) and they still go 20+ years later with me

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GodLovesATrier · 29/12/2019 23:37

Take them. They'll love it. We've taken ours for years. Our rule is that any bad language that is repeated means they don't go on again. We usually find the bad language in songs is difficult to understand to an 'untrained' ear anyway. We also often find fans tone their language down when there are children nearby.

Starbucksbasic123 · 29/12/2019 23:40

Don’t go to an away match as the supporters can get lairy (not always just my experience) but a home game everyone is friendly and they have family areas

skintbutok · 29/12/2019 23:41

I go every home game and while I know it happens, haven't personally heard any racism, however you will hear some strong language. It's less if you get tickets for the area where families tend to sit, I'd advise you to avoid the singing section if it's a deal breaker for you.
£300 a seat is ridiculous, where are you trying to buy tickets from? Why don't you get tickets for another competition like the FA or league cup? Early rounds are generally cheaper and for a year old it will be just as thrilling.
Hope you have a great time.

KnickerBockerAndrew · 29/12/2019 23:42

It's the most thrilling experience. You'll both love it.

skintbutok · 29/12/2019 23:42

*7 year old is what I meant to say.

skippy67 · 30/12/2019 00:06

You will hear swearing, so if that's your main concern, don't take him. My ds has been going to premier league football regularly since the age of 7. He's had a season ticket with his dad since he was 12. £300 for a ticket is ridiculous though!

Llareggub · 30/12/2019 00:09

I often take my two sons to watch our team’s U23s. Often it costs us no more than a fiver for tickets and parking. Obviously it isn’t as exciting as an actual premier league game but it meant we could go often. What I couldn’t fathom was the fact they could play a limited number of over 23s so we occasionally got to see first team players who had been injured get a game.

I think when mine were around 6 or 7 they got bored quite easily. If they could last a game of u23s I knew it wasn’t much of a risk forking out for actual match tickets.

TokyoSushi · 30/12/2019 00:15

DS is 8, a friend of ours offered us 2x tickets in the Kop at Liverpool. I'm very open minded, but the language was unbelievable!

It all went completely over DS' head though and the game, seats and atmosphere were incredible - we had an absolutely amazing time!

I wouldn't hesitate to take him again, just perhaps not in the Kop!

stilldoesntknowwhatshappening · 30/12/2019 00:28

DS has been to more games than I can count. He started going with his Dad at 4. Major Prem side.

Yes there is swearing. A lot of swearing. Especially in the songs.
However. DS was taught early that they are completely inappropriate and the moment we heard him say one would be the last time he went to a game.

He's never sworn. Even when singing in the stands. He just misses the word out.

stilldoesntknowwhatshappening · 30/12/2019 00:29

The Kop is DS favourite place on Earth 😂
DH was so unbelievably proud that DS stood for the entire 90 mins of his own accord 🙄

Itsagrandoldteam · 30/12/2019 01:03

We started taking our son to premier league games when he was 7, yes there is always swearing, but our son never repeated any of it. It does get pretty busy, we always used to wait an extra 5 or 10 minutes before leaving at the end, otherwise you can get a bit carried along with the crowd. I have never heard any racism and I have been going to premier league games for around 30 years. Take him, he will love it.

ForalltheSaints · 30/12/2019 06:28

I agree with the suggestion about an FA Cup tie or perhaps the under 23 side, and most clubs have a family area.

Though be prepared for it becoming a regular thing, and don't encourage him if it is Liverpool or Manchester United as he will be accused of being a glory seeker.

stilldoesntknowwhatshappening · 30/12/2019 06:33

I don't think anyone supporting Utd can be accused of being a Glory seeker 😂

ooooohbetty · 30/12/2019 07:11

Take him, he'll love it and you'll always remember his first match. Take photos so he can look at them when he gets older. Agree with what others have said about the swearing, unavoidable. Apart from the Person who said he'll have heard worse at school Confused. Not sure that's true.

EightWellies · 30/12/2019 07:14

It depends on the teams and the fixture too. You couldn't pay me enough to take my children to an Old Firm game.

Original poster
shoebedobedobedobedoo · 30/12/2019 07:36

Thanks everyone. I think it’s a yes! Next question, where is the best place to buy tickets? And at football matches does everyone sit according to who you support or do supporters get mixed up? And how do you get a ticket in the family area- I’ve not seen any websites advertising family areas. Thank you from a rookie football mum.

OP posts:
Original poster
shoebedobedobedobedoo · 30/12/2019 07:36

It’s not Liverpool or Man U!!!

OP posts:
DeathMetalMum · 30/12/2019 07:42

You'll need to sign up to your clubs fan site first, then you will be able to look at tickets. Bearing in mind a lot of clubs do sell out except for seats in the gods. We have been to a friendly before which was a really good test and much cheaper. Other options is the FA cup there are games coming up which may have some tickets left, they'll be cheaper than standard tickets.

MuttsNutts · 30/12/2019 07:55

He’ll love it! I took my DS all the time when he was growing up. Don’t worry about the swearing - we used to laugh to each other at any particularly angry men and when he was very small he didn’t even know some of the words they were coming out with!

How hard it is to find tickets depends on the club and also which match it is for but they all have family areas. Start by looking on their website and give them a ring if you’re still not sure.

What a PP said about food is correct - queues inside the stadium at half time are ridiculous so we used to get a burger outside before we went in (you’ll find the best ones from the queues Grin) and take some sweets in for half time. Oh, and depending on when you go, assume it will be freezing and dress accordingly.

ExpletiveFairylighted · 30/12/2019 08:16

If it's late in the season it may well be boiling, I took DS to his first game towards the end of the season, we were in full sunshine face-on and hadn't taken sunglasses or caps, it was pretty uncomfortable. Lots of swearing/abusive language/banter but racism/homophobia is not tolerated. Some will moderate their language around children (we once sat near some men who yelled about the "flipping referee" throughout) but most won't.

Beatone · 30/12/2019 08:39

Go on your own clubs website and purchase if possible, that will be the cheapest way. Fans do not mix and most clubs have a family stand or family area, that is for children.
Like others have said FA Cup games are coming up which tickets are often cheaper. And most clubs categorise games, if they are playing a big club you'll be looking at far more money, for the lesser teams it will be cheaper.

WutheringTights · 30/12/2019 08:52

FA Cup third round is a good starter match if they're at home (Man City fans here). Easier to get tickets as it's not included in the season tickets and, in my experience, more family friendly. The usual fans often don't bother going and it's usually full of kids at their first football match so it's a gentler atmosphere.

Having said that, I've taken my 6 year old to premier league City matches. He's heard a bit of bad language but people do generally try to not swear when there are kids around. I've also explained that words he hears at football must not be repeated elsewhere. To be honest, I think they go over his head anyway.

For most clubs you'll struggle to get premier league match tickets at this stage in the season. Cup matches are a better bet.