Would a relegation battle quash the enthusiasm of a 7 year old

I had a season ticket upto 98-99, but then my son was born, and wifey decided that since we worked M-F that Saturday and Sunday were 'family days'. Consequently, football took a back seat - i went to about half a dozen games a season. Last season i took my son to 5 games (4 wins & 1 draw) which he seemed to enjoy the first 70 mins before getting bored. My wife always agreed that once he was old enough to want to go each week that we would both get season tickets. Obviously, i am now itching to get them. However, whilst my son enjoyed watching the team scoring goals and winning, that may not be such a common occurence next year. The last thing i want to do is turn my son off watching Barnsley due to boredown/ constant losing. I don't know whether to just take him to a selection of games which may be winnable or entertaining, or wait and see how they are doing at christmas and consider half season tickets, or just buy the season tickets, and if he gets bored, stop taking him and go alone (seems a bit unfair on wifey and son). As mentioned earlier, he is only 7, and is only just grasping the fact that although we won promotion we are still in a different league to all the teams his friends talk about at school. Perhaps he is still too young. Any thoughts ?

 

well, my first match was at seven.

we beat portsmouth two nil on new years day 94. i went to a few the next season, then a few more the one after, then by the promotion season i went to em all. i don't really remember how i got hooked, but i just learned from me dad that you follow your local team over the next few years. I'd say take him to ones we are likely to win this season, and keep telling him that it's important to follow the team nearest you, not just who is winning (ie chelski, manure).

thats my two pennorth anyway.

 

RE: well, my first match was at seven.

I was lucky that we were good when I first started going - we had the Glavin's , Banks's and Aylott's playing for us. I just got hooked. The mid to late 80's were poor but I was in far too deep by then. ff

 

Get him down NOW!

That's the way to make him a fan if he's anything like I was. I understand your point about losing etc, but being there in big crowds will get him into it. I'm not saying you should definitely get him a ST, but at least get him to the Leeds, Wednesday, Sunderland, Birmingham type games.

Surely some of his mates support Barnsley, Leeds, Wednesday?

 

I used to go age 7 at the beginning of the seventies with my dad and kept myself interested by walking around the ground several times, seeing what was behind the stands and looking out away from the ground. It was very boring at times. I got interested at age 11 when I went to the big school, so I might suggest keeping it down to a few select matches taking along a few school friends and making it a day out -hot dogs etc- rather than a week-in week-out event that turns out into something to be endured rather than enjoyed.

 

Good thinking.

 

The same as what your saying Journo, take him to the big matches, look out for the bring a kid free deals etc

 

Thanks for the advice. It makes good sense. I shouldn't really be using my son as an excuse to get to all the games, at the risk of turning him against it. I agree that it should be enjoyed rather than endured. I will take him to the games where there will be a great atmosphere (wednesday, leeds etc). Most of his friends support the premiership teams and i keep telling him to ask them how many times they have actually been to watch their team. I'm gutted that we are actually on holiday for the cardiff game - i really would have liked to go to the first game.

On a different note, my sons favourite player is Chris Shuker, so for my sons sake, i hope he re-signs !

 

Took my 6 year old son to nearly every home game last season (and a few away). Obviously cos it was successful he's loved it and can't wait for next season to start now he's got a season ticket. At 60 quid you really can't go wrong, that didn't even get him into half a dozen games last season.
He knows we're gonna struggle this next season and seems prepared for it. That's probably my pessimistic nature that's inbred into him ! Go for it I say and get him into the habit. Who needs Man U, Liverpool, Chelsea etc it's your own that counts !

 

I think Dav's got it spot on. For £60 you can't really go wrong, plus if he only goes to a few games you're guaranteed to have be sitting next to each other rather than you having to move to find two seats together.There's also the added advantage that if you go ith a mate they can always use his seat if not his ticket.

 

It's a bit sad really, like watching two people who won't back down. As the saying goes...To err is human, to forgive is divine. GS & Shuker, best of friends tomorrow on bfc.co.uk. That would be a tonic and clear the air.

 

I started taking my son from about age 8 and he was interested part of the game and then he would go on about the floodlights, crowd and alsorts of stuff. But that`s all part of being a kid and learning. I must say I didn`t like the swearing and had to chat to him about that. He is now 11 and I have decided to get us both season tickets as I feel he loves football generally and certainely is an 100% Barnsley fan. Cardiff more than cemented his passion for the club, I just hope we get a couple more players to keep our chances alive and encourage more youngsters to support and ENJOY Barnsley FC.

 

RR#2 has gone to almost every home match

since he was 6! His first full season was a relegation battle that we lost.

He has never been fidgetty, complained, whined, got bored or fallen to sleep.

At 7 he thoroughly enjoyed the tribal feeling of the Liverpool match!!!

At 8 he could recite stats since the club was formed and told his headmaster that Oxbridge was never going to be for him cos iot was too far to travel for home games.

RR#1 stopped going at 13 and was never really bothered.

I guess its down to the kid and their personality but I'd say give it a go!

 

First match I took ar lasses lad to was when he was 7 and we lost against Norwich to get relegated.

He's been to a few games since then and is yet to see us win! He used to say he supported Liverpool (cause his dad does), Barnsley and Doncaster (cause that's where his dad lives). He now considers himself a Barnsley and Liverpool fan and I'm sure that Liverpool bit will fade even more as he won't get chance to see them. I think what cemented it though was going to Cardiff…he said his legs were shaking during the penalty shootout….we had a laugh after when I said to him that he'd still not seen us win a game!

He's not got a season ticket as he goes to his dad's every other weekend but he'll go to some games this season….and the one he really wants to go to? Norwich!

 

Used to be in the same situation. Took our two boys for the first time when they were 6 and 8 - six years ago and we have never looked back since. We now have season tickets (for the last 4 seasons) and go to all games - home and away (they won't let us miss any!) This has included our relegation to League One and now of course our promotion. It just becomes a way of life - go for it!

 

You can also get them into the Junior Supporters club for a few quid. They can meet players,have a kick around in the sports hall before certain games and they can win stuff. They also get a goody bag with posters etc and is well worth joining. We also got some away tickets last season free. Well worth the joining fee alone.

 

Not if his Dad's got owt about him.

Titanic 4th division battles with Workington, Halifax and Southport in the late 70's didn't dampen my childlike enthusiasm. More's the pity.................

 

Were you constantly pissed at games?

I only recall seeing 1 Glavin, 1 Banks and 1 Aylott playing for us!

 

RE: Not if his Dad's got owt about him.

Me too, cold damp Tuesday night`s, drinking Oxo and sneaking through the railings at half time for a better view.
As a 14 year old without a dad(died when 8)I had no one else in family remotely interested in footy, so me and a mate used to go. Now 43 and still love it. It`s everything though, the pies at half time, atmosphere, slagging the ref off after the match and during(price you pay being a BFC fan)etc.Now going with my son it adds another dimension and it is something we both look forward to.

 

My son was eight in 94/95

he said 'Dad I want to watch football'</p>

I said ' Man U'</p>

No</p>

I said 'Wednesday' who were doing well at the time and his mates supported.</p>

He said' Dad, I'm from Barnsley,I want to watch Barnsley, I want to be a Barnsley fan and I will never support anyone else !!!'</p>

Two season tickets later we were both happy.</p>

I'd also re-discovered the club I'd watched since 1975 although in 93/94 my interest had dropped off. </p>



Brings a tear to the eye doesn't it !!!!</p>