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?

We are a football loving family, I have been going since I could walk, as have my DC, there are still certain matches I won’t allow my children to go to because there could be trouble. If your ex is a fan he should know when it may not be appropriate. Hope your DS has a great time, evening matches are still my favourite, something about playing under the lights.

Let him go, it's a nice thing to do with his DF. Explain it's a big treat though and that you don't expect him to repeat any bad language he overhears. Enjoy your time off!

Does you DS want to go? If so, then I’d have no problem with it. I’m a single mum of 2 boys and I’ve been taking them to premier league matches since they were 6 and 9. Yes there are big crowds, but in 5 years I’ve never felt nervous or threatened. Most football fans - even the seemingly “thuggish” ones - really take care of kids in my experience .

Evening matches are really exciting.
I expect the worst that will happen is that he’ll hear some language he shouldn’t repeat at school!

I certainly wouldn’t be staying to the end with an 8 year old for an evening game

That's just cruel. Imagine being at Anfield and missing Divock Origi's 96th minute match winner over Everton, a historic moment, all because your mum got shirty about a one-off late night.

@PhilSwagielka Sorry

It will be fine. I’ve taken mine to Wembley and Premier League matches/stadiums at an even younger age. Football is pretty family friendly these days. Can be some swearing but no more than I hear at bus stops, frankly! As for being in a busy place without you etc, you yourself have recognised this is your own issue and that your ex is capable of looking after your child, so don’t let that get in the way either.

Oh thanks for the replies 're tickets

I'd love to take my ds to a man Utd match, home or away but when I look it's all packages for 400 quid !

@bigchris going to away games with the Utd support is virtually impossible, not even long standing season ticket holders have much luck with getting tickets. Home games aren't quite so difficult but you usually need membership unless it's something like the Carabao cup or a smaller team on a cold midweek night in February, that's usually when they go on general sale. Big home games like City, Liverpool etc go into a membership ballot because they get more ticket applications than they actually have tickets.

@ViciousJackdaw I'm used to it.

@andyindurham has it spot on:

More useful answer: I was about 7 when I first went to a top flight football match (was the old First Division in those days, mind). Wasn't a problem, although I was disconcerted by not getting replays and struggled to concentrate for 90 minutes.

A gentle suggestion (for the concentration span...) to take drinks / snacks / sandwiches / a blanket (to sit on - the seats get so cold!) / wrap up warm, and some ear defenders just in case, and the two of them will have an awesome time! We take "our" 2 DC under 10 to a local stadium as often as we can afford to and it's a fantastic experience and a great atmosphere!

I've been going Chelsea for 20 odd years. Never seem any trouble..most exciting moment is other teams busting out their flares.

Get the need to leave early to avoid crowd but you dont know what you'll miss. Not worth it. Never done it.

to take drinks / snacks / sandwiches

Some (at least) Premiership clubs won't allow you to take your own refreshments in, so be careful.

Don't worry. There's very little trouble compared to the tens of thousands of people who go to them. Always lots of stewards and police around to diffuse the occasional time if something kicks off.

@bigchris we love hundreds of miles form OH and DS's favoured club so try and get mostly away tickets, and we tend to only get them 50% of the time, even with being members. Away tickets can frequently be sold out before they get to members

Most stadiums have family friendly areas OP. People are generally quite considerate in those areas - limited swearing and shouting etc.

Rite of passage for any 8 year old and the beginning of a life-long devotion/obsession. .

I've been going Chelsea for 20 odd years. Never seem any trouble
Strange because the only time ive witnessed violence at football matches, on two occasions, is from Chelsea fans at away matches . Both cases kids caught up in it. Disgusting behaviour to witness.

My DH took our DS 8 to an away game at Man United. Got searched with the metal detector wand. He had 6 sausages and 4 chicken drumsticks in his pocket, individually wrapped in foil! The guy just laughed and let him through!!

My (just) nine year old went to his first match at Anfield this month (Santa brought the tickets). He isn't known for outward displays of enthusiasm and he said, and I quote, "It was the best 90 minutes of my life!"
If you're happy that his dad is a responsible parent, let him go, I'm sure he'll love it.

He will be fine, he might be a bit tired and he will probably learn some new words but apart from that no problems.
Leaving before the end is a huge no. Why would anyone want to miss the last 10 minutes. You wouldn't leave a film you had paid far less to see before the end.

Dd was six weeks old at her first league game and six months for England at Wembley.
Most grounds have a family area and facilities are so much better than they used to be. You'll find if there ever is any trouble its away from the family area he'll love it!
Dd is 13 and we're getting to the point she'll start going on her own like I did at that age.