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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

Tips for football parents

32 replies

scrappydappydoo · 12/09/2014 13:16

So DD (6) is all signed for her first season with a football club. She loves/lives football. DH and I are clueless - we don't even watch the world cup.
So far I've managed to navigate getting her kitted out by standing in sports direct looking pathetic with the club kit list. However standing and watching practice the other day I've realised this will be MY life for at least 4hrs a week for a year. It was one of those moments where I realised that at some point its going to get v. cold and wet and snowy and generally miserable and I couldn't run to the safety of my car as it was in the car park and the club insist you are there to watch at her age. So what are your top tips for parents to keep warm, dry and sane??

OP posts:
QueenAnneofAustriaSpain · 12/09/2014 18:42

Watching with interest as I am also about to embark on the football parenting journey.

Rivercam · 12/09/2014 18:46

Layers work better than one thick Woolley. Therefore in winter wear a thermal, long sleeve top, jumper, coat plus warm socks and hat. A lot of football mums wear snow boots pitch side as they are thermal and warm. It can get muddy, so well ise or walking boots can be useful also. Take your own thermos flask of coffee also, ...or find the nearest pub/cafe!

Rivercam · 12/09/2014 18:47

And beware of competitive parents who's little darlin' has been spotted by Walford wanderers fc!

nachohousekeeper · 12/09/2014 18:51

Not quite what you were asking but keep lots of spare carrier bags in the boot for muddy kit and boots. I also used to leave towels and clean comfy clothes out ready for when DD got back so she could strip off in the hall way and go straight to the shower.

A blanket or towels in the car for then to sit on as their bums and legs are often very muddy.

For me, I used to walk a circuit of the park/rec before the match and at half time. Keeps you warm and fit!

Oh and wash boots while the mud is still wet, much easier than banging off dry cakes on mud.

Enjoy!!

Costanza · 12/09/2014 18:55

For you: Thermos. Cake. Gloves.
For Dd: Thermals.Gloves. Layers.

pilates · 12/09/2014 19:09

The thin stretchy tops and leggings for your DD when it gets really cold and lots of thin layers for you. Last year was pretty bad as it was wet and cold.

Taffeta · 13/09/2014 16:50

What a great thread. My DS (10) has been playing for 4 years. Here are a few things I wish I'd known about.

There are lots of different types of boot/trainer. Astros, moulds, studs etc. Check with the club what they will need. Different surfaces require different soles. Summer dry ground is different to sodden or frozen winter ground is different to 3G etc. Certainly with my DS, it's all about having the latest boots as well. Hmm It can get very expensive, with growing feet and constant new trends, so we build in as Christmas and birthday presents.

Ditto any strip. We have never bothered with a full strip, rather a mismatch of socks and sometimes different shorts/tops. Long sleeve tops are important for the winter, as are base layers. Base layers are expensive but IME buy big as they can last a good few years as are stretchy. Worth buying good ones if they play a lot. DS currently has a club strip, home and away, a district strip, home and away, a club training top, and numerous other tops and shorts, plus a few pairs of socks. Check what of anything the club will provide before you go out and buy loads.

Don't tumble dry football socks as they shrink.

Get the right size shin pads.

For you : Very warm clothes, to protect against biting winds, so hat essential IMO. Also boots for you that you don't mind being covered in mud. Wellies no good unless you have thick wells socks, your feet will freeze in winter.

A really good thermos and snacks/sandwiches for child once they've finished. Lots.

If they have a younger sibling you have to take with you, is can be a challenge. We try to have it so DD doesn't have to come as she has no interest whatsoever and is therefore bored and a PITA.

But the most important tip of all : if you ever get a choice of club that she plays for, choose one with an indoor viewing area with comfy chairs and a bar/coffee shop. Grin They aren't the norm, but if you find one, man is it a delight.

Original poster
scrappydappydoo · 14/09/2014 14:58

Thank you all - I have the football boots, astroturf trainers, and base layers.
Wish I'd known not to put socks in dryer - oops
Sadly there is no viewing area - there is one park bench which I might get if I turn about 30mins early and I can't retreat to my car as the club says I have to stay.
Good idea to turn it into an exercise opportunity.
I had not thought about mud in the car on the way home - thanks for the those tips
I'm thinking a big golfing umbrella might also work (or maybe a popup tent where i'll make soup on a camping stove and charge for entry Wink)

OP posts:
ChillySundays · 14/09/2014 16:39

All good advice above. The only thing I would add is take a fold up chair if you will be fighting for the bench. Don't rely on there being a cafe nearby where you are going - always take a flask. I reckon a raincoat with hood is better than an umbrella. I know someone has already mentioned a hat but it does make a hell of a difference wearing one
Both my DD and DS played. After 9 years my DS has just stopped. Instead he is refereeing on saturday and sunday. Although now we don't have to stop and watch the match we still have to take him and collect after about an hour. Depending where it is we do end up stopping.

Rivercam · 14/09/2014 18:18

You don't need to buy expensive sports thermals or under layers. Many parents, including me, buy them from an outdoor shop, or elsewhere. Buy them for you, as well as the children!

snice · 14/09/2014 18:21

I wouldn't buy base layers big to grow into-unless they're snug they don't work properly

snice · 14/09/2014 18:23

Oh and keep a pack of baby wipes in the boot of yr car: you will have to get the wet and muddy boot laces untied and the boots off her frozen feet and you will need to wipe yr hands after!

Taffeta · 14/09/2014 18:26

IME size up base layers the only difference is the length of sleeves and body, not so much the "cut". We buy Nike ones and it seems to be fine.

PrimalLass · 14/09/2014 18:30

Allow longer than you think for shin pads and socks. It's my most hated 5 minutes of the week.

BornToFolk · 14/09/2014 18:36

You need good boots, a good warm waterproof coat, and a folding chair. Also, a pair of those gloves that you can use your phone with. I gave myself nasty chilblains the winter before last by not wearing gloves so I could MN at football! (I do watch DS too, btw, but it gets a bit dull...) Last winter, I got a pair of those gloves and put woollen fingerless ones over the top. Perfect!

Those clicky handwarmer things are really good too.

Snacks are very important, both for your DD and for you.

Have fun!

ChillySundays · 14/09/2014 18:37

And when shopping for boots/trainers then remember to take football sock with you

simpson · 15/09/2014 23:07

Don't run onto the pitch if your DC gets hurt Blush

Cheap camping stools are fab for watching the game.

ChillySundays · 16/09/2014 08:57

Keep an eye on the ball. Seen many a parents been hit in the face by the ball

Original poster
scrappydappydoo · 16/09/2014 20:06

LOL thanks chilly - I'll practice ducking!

OP posts:
QueenofLouisiana · 16/09/2014 22:02

Didriksons coat. I was a rugby mum, I think there is a great deal of overlap between the experiences!

sunnyrosegarden · 19/09/2014 21:46

Thermos of coffee, fold up camping chair, warm warm socks, gloves, hat.

Realisation that you will never be able to do anything else on a weekend again.

agnesf · 25/09/2014 16:54

Re weather readiness - a good thing is that football matches are often cancelled in winter because the pitch is too wet/ covered in snow etc. So actually not likely to be as bad as you might think.

Re organisation/ communication skills of coaches - in my experience of several different teams 2/3rds of them are utterly useless and are prone to texting you at 9pm the day before with info for matches/ training etc which occur during the hours when normal working people are working. They also rely on DCs to bring home info delivered verbally at training.

Make sure you get to know all the other parents well in the hope that you can form some kind of transport network.

Do not allow your DP to be the main football contact unless he is also the main taxi driver in your household.

ChillySundays · 26/09/2014 19:22

Second what agnesf says about main contact. My son changed teams last season and my DH knew the manager so he was always contacted with details. Never knew what was going on

Jhaagensen · 11/10/2021 14:27

Layers layers and layers I got a Sittingsuit from Norse Supply. Super cosy wearable sleeping bag coat :D

starfleet · 11/10/2021 15:07

DS is now 21 but I spent every Saturday and Sunday from when he was 6 to 18 standing on the sidelines watching him play football, plus the many many hours at training. He played for school from the age of 11 which were Saturday morning games, sometimes he played another game in the afternoon and always on a Sunday (he filled in for the Saturday team and the other was his regular team).

It was initially trial and error with boots/coats. Wellies only with sheepskin liners and wool socks or Timberland boots. Arctic Parka, a decent warm hat and sheepskin gloves worked for me. Never underestimate the weather - might seem warm and sunny when you set out but it will turn into a wind tunnel as soon as you stand on the side of the pitch.

Waterproof car seat covers and rubble sacks in the footwell. Blankets, a pair of sliders and towels in the car. Boots and muddy over kit went into a plastic box in the boot (he is a goalkeeper so was usually covered head to toe in mud).

A decent travel mug or thermos and a folding chair.

Good Luck.