[Albion] Took my nephew to his 1st game last Sunday

[ozzygull]

I took my daughter to her first game against Millwall at the Withdean in 2007, I think Dean Wilkins was the manager. She would have been four and sat under a poncho as it was raining with a coloring book and pencils. Chirped up during the game asking "Arn't they supposed to try to put the ball in the net?" Smart girl. I don't think she was overly impressed. The next game I took her to was away at Wycombe (we live there at the time) in 2009 it was the 4-4 FA Cup game where Gus was about to take off Glen Murray because he kept getting caught off side, but then he scored and ended up with a hatrick. It had 8 goals, two sending offs and three penalties. She was much more impressed. She became a season holder at the Amex and was one until she went to Uni and still comes to games with me when she is home.

 

[Eeyore]

That's the ideal age I think. My son went from occasional visit to STH in the season when he was 8/9. And it was the Hyypia season....

I've discussed this before with @Eeyore and we have a theory that clear memories of football start at around 8. The first FA Cup Final I can remember fully is the one that happened when I was 8 years old and I think it was the same for him.

You may well have stumbled on something that cuts through his ADHD which is brilliant. I once coached a kid with severe ADHD (to the point where, for safeguarding, I wasn't sure he should have been there, but his family insisted). The day I found a training game he engaged with was a massive, massive breakthrough.

The original theory I had about wholesome memory forming was 7 years old. I tried it out on a group of friends and every one told me the first FA Cup Final they remembered. All were 7 or very close to 7 at the time, maybe just turned 8. It's not an exact science but will be mostly correct. Of course, we will all have flash memories from before 7 but none are likely to be so full as to remember great detail. It won't be a good barometer now with so much football on. I couldn't even tell you all the cup finals of the last ten years. I could tell you in detail 1976 for about 25 years.

My first memories of watching football start at the 76 FA Cup Final. It is always the cup final because that was the main and almost only full match that involved domestic clubs. I vaguely remember the day of the Euro 76 final but I didn't know much about it. I do remember Brighton missing out on promotion that year as well as them 'trailing' at Millwall with me asking Mum what that meant.

A funny story from that year is an argument I had with my Mum as we passed through a railway station in Dorset on the way to Paignton. I insisted that Gillingham were a football team. She told me it was a different one. I just wouldn't have it.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Took my nephew to the forest game, 10 mins to go in the game asks me where the club shop is as wants a shirt, then walking round says what the chances of getting a season ticket next season and wants to come to the villa game (considering his dad is a Chelsea fan) feel quite proud of myself after 1 vist gets a shirt and wants to come to home games now, another supporter to add

My 7 year old grandson attended his first league game…unfortunately not with me ..sat the other side of the stadium (with his Dad a gooner )…..straight to the shop after for a shirt (I think I bought both sleeves) with his name on it ….good lad….his Dad on the other hand

 

[LeicesterGull]

Yeah he’s 9 it’s actually mrs gulls nephew but call him my nephew, I was worried in taking him as he does have severe adhd (I know but I will give him this one he does have it ) so was worried how long he would last only stoped watching to get a burger before the half time ques, no talking just sat there transfixed by the game , will get him a membership next season, so that’s me the mrs our daughter and now nephew going to games next season, and with the shirt couldn’t wait to show it off, even said while waiting for the bus back to esc when he’s 18 he’s getting a Brighton tattoo

Both my son and daughter have ADHD and 90 minutes of football is the only thing they can sit down and watch without moving about. They now come to away games and the noise, smells and just stuff always happening around them just keeps their attention. Maybe not for all kids but works for my two.

 

[Eeyore]

Get ‘em while they’re young!

My boy was 4 when he did his first game, a 0-0 against Woking in the Cup at Withdean. Fortunately he got bored, we left at half time and he can’t remember it.

But one trip to the Amex seemed to make him a fan for life. We’ve gone full circle now, from he trying to convince Mrs GB that is going was a good idea, so I didn’t miss a game, to him being disappointed at missing any game at all.

As I get older it really does warm my soul to see youngsters who love the club even more than I do.

I remember having a detailed discussion with your lad at your house one day about the intricacies of Lua Lua's attacking play and how he should be deployed as an impact sub. I think he was about 9. Seem to remember a bit of bias on his behalf. Lua Lua could do no wrong.

 

[Guinness Boy]

I remember having a detailed discussion with your lad at your house one day about the intricacies of Lua Lua's attacking play and how he should be deployed as an impact sub. I think he was about 9. Seem to remember a bit of bias on his behalf. Lua Lua could do no wrong.

Yes!

His favourite player for absolutely ages.

 

[HangletonGull]

Both my son and daughter have ADHD and 90 minutes of football is the only thing they can sit down and watch without moving about. They now come to away games and the noise, smells and just stuff always happening around them just keeps their attention. Maybe not for all kids but works for my two.as

Both my son and daughter have ADHD and 90 minutes of football is the only thing they can sit down and watch without moving about. They now come to away games and the noise, smells and just stuff always happening around them just keeps their attention. Maybe not for all kids but works for my two.

As you say I think with the mascot fan zone and just the excitement he bearley moved , on the other hand my daughter who has a season ticket and only missed the Brentford home game was a complete pain in the arse sunday

 

[HangletonGull]

My 7 year old grandson attended his first league game…unfortunately not with me ..sat the other side of the stadium (with his Dad a gooner )…..straight to the shop after for a shirt (I think I bought both sleeves) with his name on it ….good lad….his Dad on the other hand

I will give my brother in law credit tho even tho he is Chelsea he actually went to games pre Roman so I can give him just a bit of credit

 

[el punal]

This is a lovely thread. As I described earlier on my grandson is now a season ticket holder. His first taste of the Albion was watching us play Blackpool just after Hyypia had taken over. If I remember correctly it was an awful game, we drew 0-0. The highlight was the North Stand singing for Paddy McCourt to come on. Yep, that’s how bad it was. Anyway, my grandson survived that baptism of boredom and is now a fully committed aficionado of the mighty stripes. Hoorah!

 

[tstanbur]

The original theory I had about wholesome memory forming was 7 years old. I tried it out on a group of friends and every one told me the first FA Cup Final they remembered. All were 7 or very close to 7 at the time, maybe just turned 8. It's not an exact science but will be mostly correct. Of course, we will all have flash memories from before 7 but none are likely to be so full as to remember great detail. It won't be a good barometer now with so much football on. I couldn't even tell you all the cup finals of the last ten years. I could tell you in detail 1976 for about 25 years.

My first memories of watching football start at the 76 FA Cup Final. It is always the cup final because that was the main and almost only full match that involved domestic clubs. I vaguely remember the day of the Euro 76 final but I didn't know much about it. I do remember Brighton missing out on promotion that year as well as them 'trailing' at Millwall with me asking Mum what that meant.

A funny story from that year is an argument I had with my Mum as we passed through a railway station in Dorset on the way to Paignton. I insisted that Gillingham were a football team. She told me it was a different one. I just wouldn't have it.

Definitely true for me. First memory is the 86 cup final and then bits of Mexico 86 when I was 7.

 

[Albion my Albion]

Good on you, HangletonGull!

 

[Robert Codners Nostrils]

It was my daughter’s first game on Sunday. 9 years old. A big day for both of us! She absolutely loved the experience and won’t stop talking about it! She said she would have enjoyed the game even if the result was different. It would have taken the shine off for me, though! A fan for life now. Very proud!

 

[AZ Gull]

...

A funny story from that year is an argument I had with my Mum as we passed through a railway station in Dorset on the way to Paignton. I insisted that Gillingham were a football team. She told me it was a different one. I just wouldn't have it.

Bloody hell, I dread to think how much time and money you spent following us in the late nineties.

 

[Eeyore]

Bloody hell, I dread to think how much time and money you spent following us in the late nineties.

I don't know how everyone says they were at Gillingham. There were only about 30 of us at each match and I never saw folk going there or back.

No-one ever seems to reference the famous comeback against Wimborne Town either.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Bloody hell, I dread to think how much time and money you spent following us in the late nineties.

There is Gillingham in Kent (soft G) where the Albion played, and a Gillingham (hard G) in Devon.

 

[BN9 BHA]

There is Gillingham in Kent (soft G) where the Albion played, and a Gillingham (hard G) in Devon.

Dorset

 

[Sheebo]

Innit!

The proper deicated one’s chose really shit first games to show their commitment. My older lad chose the 5-1 home shambles that saw off Mark McGhee as his first game to attend. His first ‘favourite player’ was Doug Loft!

Shudder.

 

[Sheebo]

Yeah he’s 9 it’s actually mrs gulls nephew but call him my nephew, I was worried in taking him as he does have severe adhd (I know but I will give him this one he does have it ) so was worried how long he would last only stoped watching to get a burger before the half time ques, no talking just sat there transfixed by the game , will get him a membership next season, so that’s me the mrs our daughter and now nephew going to games next season, and with the shirt couldn’t wait to show it off, even said while waiting for the bus back to esc when he’s 18 he’s getting a Brighton tattoo

We try not to spoil our kids & family… but when it comes to buying their first Albion shirt or scarf etc it literally doesn’t count does it!? Great that the young lad with his difficulties liked football and the club. Great story.

 

[Eeyore]

I will give my brother in law credit tho even tho he is Chelsea he actually went to games pre Roman so I can give him just a bit of credit

Anyone who supported Chelsea pre-RA I regard as a proper fan.

An old work colleague of mine who has supported them for 40 odd years, and goes everywhere with them, often posts in Facebook. He lives locally but is from London.

His posts are so rational and reasonable about Chelsea- except one recently where he thought folk were being nasty about them.

I resisted the temptation to post a laughing emoji or a wanker sign. After all, I have no beef with ordinary folk who support them, I just want them to be tonked every match. I'm the most rational person in Rationalia. But I really, really don't like Chelsea.

 

[Justice]

You can’t beat live games compared to watching on TV. The first time I entered the Goldstone that was me done for a life sentence.