How old should kids be before they go to football matches?

[rcf0712]

My little lad was mainly interested at the Rochdale game this season and he's only just 6, although he did miss Bennett's goal 'cos he was mucking about under the seat. I wouldn't want to take him every week just yet though, if I had the opportunity to. He got sunstroke at the last Perth Glory game last season and hasn't shown any great interest in going back but is looking forward to the Bournemouth game on Saturday (probably 'cos it means he can stay up late)!.
I guess what I'm trying to say in a round about rambling manner is it's really a case of horses for courses.....

 

[shaun_rc]

My 6 year old girl asks to go with me the whole time, then shows no interest when we're there. Last time she brought a book which she started reading before they'd even kick off. She amazingly doesn't ask to go home either though, though I missed a goal on a hunt for chips once, which I wasn't too happy about. She also really loves all the Gully's Gang freebies, all that's missing is actually liking the football!

 

[Dirty Dave]

I've taken my 6 year old son to a lot of games since a young age. The first time he really sat, watched & enjoyed the whole game was Southampton away last season (at 5 years 7 months)

Before then, I'd taken him several times, home and away. He would mainly asked how long's left, wanting to go home etc, especially at Withdean

St Mary's last year just completley transformed him with one game and now he loves going to games ever since.

Prior to that though he would say how much he wants to go to a game but then just get bored when there.

A good indication is when he sits and watches a full game on T.V, you'll know it's the right time

 

[bhadiv1]

I first took my lad when he was 5 - only lasted 1/2 a game
Tried again when he was 6 - and lasted the whole match, but didn't pay
much attention.
Last year when he was 7, he seemed to get the bug and went to about 5
homes games and a couple of away matches.
Got him a season ticket this year.

So in summary I'd keep trying from about 5 years onwards until he/she
is shows/loses interest.

 

[eastlondonseagull]

My son has just had his 5th birthday, and I want to take him to a home game as soon as possible, so he can say in years to come that he went to the Withdean. However, as we live in Leeds, it's quite an event to get him down for a game.

How old do you think children should be for their first live game? I was eight when my dad first took me along to the Goldstone - we drew 1-1 with Leicester...

My first ever football match was when I was five, Reading v Bournemouth in Division 4, a dire 0-0 draw that put me off football for a while. Then, aged 8, my brother took me to the Goldstone, 3-3 against Liverpool, and I was hooked. The rest is history.

So it's tricky. Granted, the calibre of opposition and the exciting scoreline will have helped, but I wonder whether 5 was a touch too young.

Saying that, my boy's three soon, and I'd love to take him to Withdean, so he could say he'd been there...

 

[The Wookiee]

Very good question, my boy is 6 and am thinking of taking him but am worried he would get bored and be put off from ever going again. Think I will wait and take to our shiny new home next season

 

[Gritt23]

My son has just had his 5th birthday, and I want to take him to a home game as soon as possible, so he can say in years to come that he went to the Withdean. However, as we live in Leeds, it's quite an event to get him down for a game.

How old do you think children should be for their first live game? I was eight when my dad first took me along to the Goldstone - we drew 1-1 with Leicester...

Really hard to be sure. You just have to go for it - maybe somewhere more local - and see how he takes to it.

My son is nearly 9, and can barely sit still and watch 5 minutes of a live game on telly. Perhaps he could muster 20 mins if it's England, but take him to a game and it's completely different. We go to Brighton games (my team), Ebbsfleet games (his team) and a couple of England games. He has probably been to about 20-25 games live, but still can't be bothered watching it on telly.

 

[On the Left Wing]

Took my youngest son to his first match when he was just 3 years old ... mind you it was Berwick Rangers v Hamilton Accies on National Falmer Day in 2004!
He went to three Fans United days when he was 4 years old in 2004/05 at Wrexham and Cambridge and then his first Albion match when he was almost 5 - Burnley away when he timidly joined in with GOSBTS
Think the first few games he was only interested in te hit dogs and coke ... but later he really got into the games

 

[Stat Brother]

My boy will be approaching 6 next season, which is the same age as my first game, Arsenal v Bristol City. So that will do me.

 

[steve-c]

my grandaughter's first game is going to be the charlton game , she is seven, she is all excited and keeps checking her ticket every time she comes round, here's to hoping she enjoys it, train trip, football, albion fans at our best ..........

 

[Spider]

my grandaughter's first game is going to be the charlton game , she is seven, she is all excited and keeps checking her ticket every time she comes round, here's to hoping she enjoys it, train trip, football, albion fans at our best ..........

.......overzealous policing, wanker stewards, south London pikeys, respectable middle aged men acting like tits after too many pints in The Market Porter - she'll love it.

Only joking, it will be a cracking day!

 

[Gully]

I was 7 when I went to my first match, all I remember was a Sunderland's player short's came down. And not the score
So I would say around 6/7/8 is the right age

Wasn't that Nige Erskine...if so, I don't think he ever played for Sunderland!

 

[Gully]

My 6 year old girl asks to go with me the whole time, then shows no interest when we're there. Last time she brought a book which she started reading before they'd even kick off. She amazingly doesn't ask to go home either though, though I missed a goal on a hunt for chips once, which I wasn't too happy about. She also really loves all the Gully's Gang freebies, all that's missing is actually liking the football!

Aaah, the innocence of youth...wait till she is old enough for the football to ruin a nice day out!

 

[Deanbha]

My son was 4 for his first game. he sat and watched the lot.

 

[jimhigham]

Very topical. I'm taking my 11 year old girl to her first match this weekend for the Bournemouth game. I wanted her to see Withdean at least once before we upgrade.

Most people seem to start earlier but for my own part, I went to my first match when I was about 8 or 9 and I don't remember a bit of it, as I spent most of it running around on the East Stand terracing. I think I was probably in double figures before it really "took" and I really wanted to go.

 

[Uwinsc]

I took my now 5 year old god son to a horsham game aged 2 1/2 or 3 and he loved it- watched the whole thing although he either had to stand or sit on my alp as he couldn't see when sitting in his seat! He was terrified of the mascot though! I took him to withdean last season and he really enjoyed that to although he doesn't care which team has scored and cheers regardless so I was quite pleased we were in the family stand.

 

[Uwinsc]

Oh yes and he is also terrified of Gully!

 

[steve-c]

.......overzealous policing, wanker stewards, south London pikeys, respectable middle aged men acting like tits after too many pints in The Market Porter - she'll love it.

Only joking, it will be a cracking day!

was pissed of the wall got promoted, i think she would of enjoyed the den, lol

if the valley is half as good as last year she will be hooked.

 

[Tim Over Whelmed]

I regularly take my 7 year old and, occasionally, my 4 year old. To be honest 5 seems the right age unless you enjoy your football interspersed with trips to the loo and buying hot dogs!

 

[Westdene Wonder]

Before all seating stadiums 8/9 years of age would be the minimum, now its not age but height because of the growing number of fans who jump to their feet when the ball nears the penalty area resulting in all they see is peoples backs.
I cant believe that fathers have so little regard for their children in arms, that they take them to matches where they can be hit by missiles, squashed in a moving mass and frozen stiff.