My daughter is nearly 6 and enjoys watching football on TV. We'd love to take her to a live match, but feel the whole experience is very un-child friendly. The crowds pushing and shoving, the seating that means she wouldn't be able to see properly...it all means she won't get to go for years yet.
Is there anything that clubs could do to change things?
2007-11-28 09:41:09 · 17 answers · asked by almond1966 2 in Sports ➔ Football ➔ English Football
I've gone with my friend & his youngster, people tend to be carefull if you have a child with you. One supporter even apolagised for swearing next to us once!
I think your correct though something could be done, maybe a special section or something?
If it doesnt make them any money though you've got no chance, clubs only really care if they think they have to, there not really after anything else other than your money.
2007-11-28 10:06:31 · answer #1 · answered by 8 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those who say that family sections where alcohol and profanity are not allowed work well in the US are correct. However, on a recent trip to England, I went to four pro soccer matches (3 of which were EPL), and only one of the games didn't seem family friendly. So, I think it depends on the team and where you sit in the stadium. The atmosphere at Derby County and Aston Villa actually were quite good, and lots of kids were around. At another match I went to, the fans were f-this and f-that and racist and homophobic in almost every sentence. I felt so bad for the families around us. I think the parents of the young kids were horrified.
So, maybe your best bet would be to chat with some season ticket holders at various clubs and find out what they think and where they suggest you sit. Or, go to a game yourself to test it out first.
Or, take your daughter on a trip to the US for an MLS match! Not very exciting, but certainly family-friendly!
2007-11-29 08:25:42 · answer #2 · answered by soccerlemon 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Of course there things clubs 'could' do........but I for 1 would be firmly against it. What clubs should introduce in stadiums is standing sections for people who want to stand and sing. At OT on Wednesday we had the stewards and even police telling us to sit down constantly, talk about killing the atmosphere.
Old Trafford has had a family stand for years but sitting in the famiy stand does not stop many of the songs containing swear words....If the child is trying to join in the chanting they will either have to swear or ask you "what does **** mean mummy?"
2007-11-29 09:42:34 · answer #3 · answered by not Stidge again 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I no longer go to sporting events due to obnoxious and rude audiences/fans/whatever (even that bastion of civility, tennis, has boorish fans).
If it were up to me, I'd have security kick out anyone baring their bods, painted or not, along with anyone using devices like whistles, drums, air horns, etc. I would also ban alcohol. I'd hire high school kids to hold fake video cameras with the red light always on; that way, the loonies will get their thrills, thinking they're in the spotlight (most won't even notice that other such cameras are attracting similar jerks, like flies to a bug zapper) and, eventually (hopefully), tire of it, especially when they find out that nobody saw their shenanigans, and that, in essence, they made more of a fool of themselves than usual (of course, it might be wise to use real cameras, so that jerks who throw bottles, firecrackers, and other dangerous objects are caught and arrested and/or permanently barred from that stadium).
I can dream, can't I?
Thus endeth the rant. ;)
2007-11-28 17:53:48 · answer #4 · answered by skaizun 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i go to watch Southend whenever i can, i take my 8 year old son and my 7 year old neice, we have no problem what so ever, the only time it could be a problem is at the end of the game when everyone is making a dash for the exit, we just sit and wait for 10 minutes and it is fine. Find out if your local club has facilities for families, most of them do, try not to make her wait, she may lose interest. take care and good luck.
2007-11-29 01:55:03 · answer #5 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think every stadium should have a Family Stand where only family tickets can be bought and only families can sit there
You could write a letter to the football team you support and ask if this could be done. You never know if might work
2007-11-28 17:44:32 · answer #6 · answered by Stuart 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think every stadium should have a Family Stand where only family tickets can be bought and only families can sit there
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This season Spurs introduced a family stand, as an adult has to have an U16 to sit there...
The atmosphere is rubbish in the Family Stand, but I suppose it wasn't that good there before anyway.
I strongly recommend going to White Hart Lane
2007-11-28 18:06:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As the premiership players command such ridiculous amounts of money from their clubs,gate prices are very high.
This makes it very expensive for families to attend and attracts younger people,mainly young males and that's when the trouble starts.
I agree with you that a family area would be fantastic,let's hope the football bigwigs take notice
2007-11-28 17:48:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
i wish i could give you a certain answer, but i cant because thats what football is about, like many people have stated i think watching matches on tv is the best choice
2007-11-28 20:04:25 · answer #9 · answered by sulz152 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
depends on your area where you live ,if you can get a front seat she should be fine and be able to see the game ,not all football fans are bad and will protect her if there is trouble at the game ,but this does not happen often
2007-11-28 18:24:39 · answer #10 · answered by telboy 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋