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Original poster

Keeping warm on the touchline: football watching newbie needs advice

32 replies

JackieNo · 10/09/2007 15:31

DD has just started playing football for the local under-8s team, and I can see from the 2 matches we've already been to that I'm going to spend Saturday mornings freezing my bits off standing watching her.

I've got a good warm waterproof coat, but what would people recommend for keeping feet warm? If I had £99 to spare, I'd invest in this, but I really only want to spend about £30-£40 at most (preferably less).

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 10/09/2007 15:35

you need cod - she's a rugby mummy

(I'd take the insoles out my MN Official Wranglers and wear ski socks)

fryalot · 10/09/2007 15:36

wellies that are one size too big for you, line them with an old plastic bag and stuff loads and loads of shredded newspaper inside.

Not the most glamorous of looks (although wellies are very IN this season) but they really do keep your feet warm.

If you can get hold of hay, that works even better than newspaper

Original poster
JackieNo · 10/09/2007 15:37

Yes - it was seeing cod on the other thread that reminded me I was going to start this thread. I guess I could try, is it aluminium insoles that are good at insulating?

(and fat calves mean I'd be unlikely to get into those Wranglers, unfortunately - but I have v old walking boots.)

OP posts:
Dinosaur · 10/09/2007 15:38

walking boots or doc martens with thermal socks

i used to go to a lot of away matches

the away end at elland road is absolutely baltic

Original poster
JackieNo · 10/09/2007 15:38

squonk - does the hay/paper go in between the bag and the boot? Conjures up an amazing Worzel Gummidge kind of image. Might have to try it though. Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
JackieNo · 10/09/2007 15:39

I wonder if there's a market for some sort of insulated platform you could stand on....

OP posts:
FluffyMummy123 · 10/09/2007 15:53

Message withdrawn

FluffyMummy123 · 10/09/2007 15:54

Message withdrawn

fryalot · 10/09/2007 15:54

dino - the home end at Elland Road is so high I think that the atmosphere is too thin for warm air to reach!

the hay/newspaper can go between placcy bag and boot, or you can do the double bag method, which is boot, placcy bag, paper/hay, placcy bag, foot.

You do have to be careful when removing boot as insulating stuff can go everywhere.

Original poster
JackieNo · 10/09/2007 15:55

Fair enough. Thank you everybody - will give these a go once the weather gets colder, and hope I can stay warm.

OP posts:
Original poster
JackieNo · 10/09/2007 15:56

(although I do look like Cartman from South Park in hats - I think warmth will have to win out over vanity though)

OP posts:
Dinosaur · 10/09/2007 15:57

squonk, the away end is really really draughty!

Deffo the coldest ground I ever went to.

And then had to run away from scary Leeds fans afterwards - that warmed me up, anyway...

fryalot · 10/09/2007 15:58

I was in the home end.

(as an away supporter )

luckily, the scary leeds fans were all very nice to me, and commiserated when my team managed to lose 3 - 0 - not sure how friendly they would have been had we won 3 - 0 though

scattyspice · 10/09/2007 16:01

So you're not going for the VB soccar mom look then?

Original poster
JackieNo · 10/09/2007 16:01

VB is about a third of my size, scattyspice - don't think it would work.

OP posts:
Dinosaur · 10/09/2007 16:02

Are you a Hull City fan, squonk?

Magicmayhem · 10/09/2007 16:02

You need to be tucked in and have lots of layers.... thermal socks, gloves, hat... and I wear an old tracksuit under my jeans

I'm looking for a nice hat to wear but its proving difficult as I've got a small head!

ChippyMinton · 10/09/2007 16:04

moonboots

TigerFeet · 10/09/2007 16:04

I have watched a lot of football - in the rain, sleet and snow. My team have just been promoted to the dizzy heights of the Championship so the quality of away ground should improve. The coldest I have ever been? Chesterfield away end in January

Here is the TigerFeet definitive guide to keeping warm at the footy

  1. Layers layers layers - long sleeved tshirt, jumper, hoodie (replica shirt over the top in my case)
  2. Tights under jeans (I generally wear cargo trousers - thick ones - to avoid having to take bags into football grounds
  3. Scarf & gloves essential
  4. Woolly hat even more so
  5. Footwear - thin socks, thick socks and then any flat shoes that do not have the whole sole on the floor iyswim, eg trainers or walking boots with plenty of ridges. DH swears by his astroturf footy boots, less surface area on the cold ground = less cold feet.

HTH JackieNo and good luck to dd

fryalot · 10/09/2007 16:05

no, dino - I went to Elland Rd when Leeds were in the premiership (so a little while ago - I am a MANCHESTER CITY fan (and proud of it) how 'bout you?

Dinosaur · 10/09/2007 16:06

Oh God. I support the only other team which is habitually as crap as Man City, except you're not, of course, this season - Spurs.

fryalot · 10/09/2007 16:06

ooh, yeah, tigerfeet, I forgot to mention tights under jeans - leggings are even better. Or if you want to be really sure, tights, tights, leggings then jeans!

Original poster
JackieNo · 10/09/2007 16:06

chippyminton, I found these, these, these(not keen), and these, but not sure any of them are quite right - maybe I'll try the layers/insulation in existing boots first, and invest later.

OP posts:
fryalot · 10/09/2007 16:07

well, dino - we started well but it's kind of gone a teensy bit down hill from there.

I predict we'll end up comfortably mid-table.

and Spurs are ok. Have been to your ground a couple of times in the past - but it always had a reputation for being the most expensive ground, so only went in the seasons when I wasn't going to miss ANY matches for any reason

Dinosaur · 10/09/2007 16:08

squonk - how cool! I never managed a season without missing any matches, I'm afraid!

I have fond memories of Maine Road, actually.