Football match

[beckywiththeshithair27]

My ex wants to take our ds8 to a premiership football match. So very big, busy stadium in a very big busy city. Also an evening match so would be a late finish and a very long journey home.

I have no reason to doubt ex's care but still feel a bit uneasy. Am I being over protective? Would you/do you allow this?

It's absolutely fine, an experience with his dad that he'll probably always remember.

My Dad first took me about that age in the 60’s, which at the time was rare as a girl and I loved it.

He’ll be fine

I genuinely can’t recall the last time I heard of an outbreak of violence at a game. Modern football in this country is safety obsessed. Violence is usually going to occur between rival fans, so they do all they can to stop it. Separate entrances and exits, walls of stewards between rival fan sections, separate toilet blocks and food areas, blocks of seating with stairs marshalled by stewards, plus no alcohol allowed to be drunk in seats, cctv everywhere, bag checks, pat downs, sniffer dogs, police horses...honestly, it’s about a safe as it can be to have 10s of 000s of people in one place.

Thanks all I appreciate the reassurance that so many people think it's ok.

I do find coparenting a struggle sometimes. I just don't like to think of ds in busy, unfamiliar surroundings without me. I know it's daft and it's no reflection on my ex. I just worry about everything from the long journey to the crowds to the possibility of trouble.

How do you all get tickets ??

He'll love it !

Not just absolutely fine but incredibly exciting for an 8 year old. Probably the best night of his life.

You don’t get a huge amount of violence and trouble. Most people going to games will never ever see any violence or trouble.
It’s great.
We’re taking our 3yo to his first game on Saturday!

My DS has been going regularly with DH since he was around six (Aston Villa). They love it and I sometimes go too, it’s a great day/night out.

He will be absolutely fine. Maybe a bit tired the next day, but probably having had a great night it will be worth it.

I genuinely can’t recall the last time I heard of an outbreak of violence at a game

Millwall !

Yes, I started going to football matches at 11 and my brother at 8/9. I see loads of little kids at Hillsborough - I always end up sat near them! Most fans are pretty chill, it's just a minority of idiots who cause trouble. He may learn some interesting words though.

We got our season tickets back when no one wanted to go in the championship, ironically the season they got promoted, so since then we've watched the title winning season, priority to all home matches and Wembley.

Ours have all been going since they were small. No problems ever, and they are all adults now. I used to go as a child with my dad in the times when hooliganism was a major issue, never got into any trouble then either.

Its such a brilliant experience, please don't try to stop him going. There may well be a dedicated family area, would you feel better if they sat there?

My DS goes to occasional premier league games. Also big city, big stadium. He's been to a couple of midweek evening games. It was fine, but he was v tired for the next couple of days. He was too excited to sleep in the car on the way back though, so perhaps your DS will some sleep with it being a long journey. At this age, he will remember it as an adult, one of his earliest memories of something special with his dad. It will be lovely for him.

Some grounds do have family stands - I know Goodison Park does cos I've sat in it. They're quite near the front as well, so you get a nice view of the managers/subs.

It'll be fine. When DH wants to take the DTs (girls) to a premier league game in London so as big a city as you can get I go to, but only because of the toilet siyation. Too old to go in the men's and too young to go alone in the ladies because the queues can be ridiculous.

They went to their first game at Wembley when they were 5.

@bigchris we are club members.

Just to add that there are certain games we wouldn't take them to - local derby / sunday 4/5pm kick off as way too many pissed people.

I think it is natural to be worried, for all the reasons you stated.

I think the main thing is, if you trust your ex, whether the trip is something that your DS will enjoy? Or is your ex getting carried away and only thinking of himself?

He'll love it and will be absolutely fine. My niece was a babe in arms when she first went to football and she still comes along now and then.

It will be fine. My two DS’s have been going with DH to Manchester City matches since they were very young.
The only problem you may have is if DS has school the following morning? I’m assuming that won’t be the case, but if it is and ex is driving, it would be worth leaving 10 mins before final whistle in order to clear the stadium and it’s surrounds - otherwise it can take a good 30 mins or so to get off the car park.

My DS (7) regularly goes to football matches. His classmate is going to a premiership night match tonight. Your son will love it.

BigChris I just go to Championship games at the moment.

I took my DS to his first evening game when he was 8. He loved staying up that late but nearly nodded off! Send him with some headphones in case he doesn’t like the noise.

YABU let him go

He’ll love it. I took DS to his first match when he was 3. he doesn’t really like football though so it’s a waste of money taking him now he’s older, which is a real shame because I like to go.