Nothing to Inspire the next generation

[Top Flight]

Good post.

I'd add that the football 'experience' is somewhat different to how it captured the imagination of children in the 60s and 70s.

Compared to the sights on offer in those days the football experience now is rather anaemic by comparison.

It's funny really what does capture the imagination in young minds but I remember being thrilled by the sights, sounds, and smells, oh the smells, in the south bank at Elm Park.

A waft of woodbine or Old Holborn in the face of an seven-year old is never forgotten, nor the smell of frying onions, the terror of having to go to the toilet, the surging crowd, the fashions, the silk scarves, the characters on the terraces, and the real possibility that you might be in physical danger.

I could go on but I think you get my drift. What is on offer for kids now by way of a formative experience in an adult world? Plastic seats, a hilarious man in a lion costume, inane drivel on the PA instead of hits of the day, pre cooked hot dogs, people hissing at you if you step out of line for pretty much any reason, very little interaction with fellow supporters, no smoking, lack of real characters on the pitch, soulless and stifling PR from the club, etc, etc.

Oh yeah, and get a new wife as well, she doesn't sound on message really.

This is what sums it up for me...

When I started following the Royals back in the 80's it wasn't about the football. It was about everything else. Everything above.

These days there is nothing else. It's only about the football. The football experience is dire nowadays. It is unbelievably boring.
There is nothing to get kids excited. I just go out of habit. I don't think I really enjoy football anymore.

The fans don't even sing. I don't blame them, when you have to sit on your backside for 90 minutes, who can be bothered. When your under CCTV surveillance and the slightest word out of line... There used to be so many songs.... So much banter. The football was appalling lumping the ball all over the place. But there was so much more atmosphere on the old South Bank. There is no atmosphere anymore. I can see attendances decline for a prolonged period now, or maybe I'm just being pessimistic.

[melonhead]

I'd imagine they'll continue to dip for as long as we are shit
No longer

[Royalwaster]

My son is football made (like me) and started going regularly from when he was about 7 - he'll watch any game .... be it a conference game, a boring 0:0 between two Italian teams on TV or whatever. He's tougher than me in that respect. But my older son gave up watching after the Arsenal game in the Prem - just couldn't stomach us lose so much.

I guess when it comes down to it - it'll depend on whether your son/daughter is into football or not - if not, it'll be pretty hard to get them enthused at an early age.

[Aubery Boyce]

Took my eldest to his 1st game in the League Cup against Barnsley in the Rogers era. It was awful. We lost. He loved it and is now an obsessed season ticket holder and lover of "away days" at the grand old age of 10. Audery Boyce knows this!! They either like it or they don't.

My youngest is 8 and a pain in the arse as well as an Arsenal fan. Delighted he has followed his Mum's team as it means I have an easy Saturday!!

Audery!!!

he's like I was at that age. Day out at the footy with Dad and his mates. Learning new words and learning what not to tell your mum.

you either get it or your don't

Although 5 years old maybe a bit young I imagine to expect a child to enjoy it without other entertainment like ipads etc.

TBF Wally Basson your 4 year old son is old beyond his years. having a music knowledge and taste of a 40yo.

[The Rouge]

5 is too young. 7-8 about right.

[leon]

Loving all the non parents giving out parental advice.

[Ian Royal]

5 is too young imo.

I took my nephew to his first game when he was about 8 or 9. Millwall iirc. He loved it then and was old enough to actually appreciate it.

'Greed. I was 7 at my first game, and having taken my nephews and nieces over the years, up to about the age of 7 they didn't really get what it's all about. I wouldn't get too disheartened paddy, just wait til he's a bit older and understands it a bit more.

If you wait until they're old enough to pick a team then they're not guaranteed to pick shitty old Reading though, that's the risk.

Kids are fickle. I went through about 5 teams from 6 - 13. None of whom were Reading, went to my first game and was hooked with them for life.

It's not like you can't do ground work. And if they're showing an interest earliier take them a big earlier. Just not much point in trying to draw interest that young

[Einstein agogo]

Future wife? That's rather persumptive? He might turn Homo or ,sensibly , stay a bachelor

[royalsmudge]

I take my 6 year old & 7 year old to one game a month.
The 7 year old also has a season ticket at our poor relations 25 miles north as my father in law is a season ticket holder.
They're both as interested in the scores in other games as they are the action, what little there is of it this season, on the pitch. Though they both prefer the live atmosphere of being there than they do watching on TV.
The swearing, occasional singing and vagaries of the people sitting among us all add to the match day experience.

As long as they are both plied with sweets solidly for 90 minutes, there don't tend to be many complaints.

I'm resigned to both liking other teams as well, with other influences other than myself, but as long as they are always at least 51% Reading, I'm content enough.

My first game in '85 as an 8 year old with my Dad's workmates is more memorable now than each and every one of those I've seen this season (bar maybe the middle half hour of the Rotherham game), but that is indicative of the state of football now, with wall to wall coverage across all forms of media.
Back then it was World Cup, FA Cup and that was it pretty much.
Hard to say which is better overall

[paddy20]

You have damaged him for life. I hold you totally responsible. We lost 3-0 in my first game but there were 2 punch ups on the pitch, some supporters ran on before the end and were rugby tackled by the police, and some bloke in the crowd punched one of our supporters. Cup of hot oxo and a bag of cheese & onion at half time. Eyee it were grand!

[wally bassoon]

Took my eldest to his 1st game in the League Cup against Barnsley in the Rogers era. It was awful. We lost. He loved it and is now an obsessed season ticket holder and lover of "away days" at the grand old age of 10. Audery Boyce knows this!! They either like it or they don't.

My youngest is 8 and a pain in the arse as well as an Arsenal fan. Delighted he has followed his Mum's team as it means I have an easy Saturday!!

Audery!!!

he's like I was at that age. Day out at the footy with Dad and his mates. Learning new words and learning what not to tell your mum.

you either get it or your don't

Although 5 years old maybe a bit young I imagine to expect a child to enjoy it without other entertainment like ipads etc.

TBF Wally Basson your 4 year old son is old beyond his years. having a music knowledge and taste of a 40yo.

He is going mental for Joy Division and Run DMC ate the moment!

[stl_royal]

Meh. I didn't get really into sports other than playing them until I was around 10, and it took one of my local teams being outstanding for that interest to peak. I think I would have gotten into it anyway as I am now an avid fan of just about every sport, but having a good team certainly helped. While I don't have kids myself, my nephews are all seem to be about the same, they don't understand the game yet but get excited when their parents are talking about how good a team is and seeing great results. Until they are older or have played a game long enough that they really start to understand whats going on, going to a sporting event is just a really boring way to sit around for a few hours when they'd rather be running around with friends.

[Fox Talbot]

5 is definitely too young.

After a few games at that age I got the hint when my kid - just after the ref blew for kick-off - asked when's half-time?

[Top Flight]

5 is definitely too young.

After a few games at that age I got the hint when my kid - just after the ref blew for kick-off - asked when's half-time?

Yes, you are right! I won't put him through that ordeal again. At least not for the next few years. I'll wait until he is 9 or 10.

[Lower West]

These days there is nothing else. It's only about the football. The football experience is dire nowadays. It is unbelievably boring.

Days are gone when grounds were full an hour or so before kick off. Just to get a good position on the terracing and enjoy the prematch banter. Now it's roll up with 5 minutes to go and leave before the end. Crowds wait to be entertained. Rather than creating an atmosphere for the players.

[Norfolk Royal]

Not sure I wrote that tbh.