My daughter informed me the other day that my nine year old grandson had won a “tickets for schools” voucher.
I didn’t think too much of it, as to be honest, I didn’t think he’d be arsed to bother taking it up.
He’s a typical kid, caught up in all the latest gaming stuff, where footy quite doesn’t cut it.
Imagine my surprise then, when I get a text from the nipper asking me if I’ll take him to a game.
Having been someone who advocates boycotting because of prices, I couldn’t turn this down, whatever the cost.
It’s the chance to get the Villa into the blood of one of my own, after all, isn’t it?
So there you go; after a right bloody rigmarole (I was previously registered, but my credentials didn’t work, so I had to re-register) we’re going to the Man City game and we’ll be in K4.
Well, I couldn’t do the family area, could I?
If you’re going to blood a nine year old, it has to be where it’s happening, imo.
The freebie ticket will be handed back.
I wanted to take him to Arsenal too, but I’m struggling on that one, as you need a buying history.
The whole thing is quite pathetic.
I won’t even mention the fact that it’s costing the best part of £60 to go and watch this game.
Oh sorry, I just have done.
Absolute joke and how you regulars do it is beyond me.
Whatever, the point is, if my nipper is now interested, perhaps we should be too.
My interest is now momentarily aroused, in a serious way.
And while you might not have the same incentive as me, maybe some serious support is in order?
[...] taking it up. He’s a typical kid, caught up in all the latest gaming stuff, where [...] …read more Read more here: Aston [...]
Show the lad a good time. It will be fun. Regardless of the clubs dysfunctions you’re spending quality time with your grandson and that is all that matters.
what are you asking for Badger? I have thought for some time that there ought to be an incentive scheme for people taking kids to matches. Are you saying VIlla should do this or people should pay £60 to take children to the grown ups area?
A scheme to take young children could only work in the family area. Personally I would think twice about taking youngsters in the bits of the ground I go in, standing up, bad language and at the moment its a course in how fickle fans are.
But I can see a strong case for a priority scheme in the family area. Or is there already one? I have never taken any interest not having any children. But it is worth thinking about
trevor fisher
I was introduced to the holte end at a young age,it did me no harm the language i heard was no different to what i listened to at play time.unfortunately it’s part of life.take the lad to the game enjoy he’ll be gobsmacked when he’s actually in the ground,thats one thing vp is & thats a fantastic complex it’s a shame the team dont match it.
I see spuds have joined the race to sign benteke in the summer,according to the sun say no more.
Badger my 9 year old grandson is on his DS playing football every day, Villa against whoever, out even now playing football, today training, tomorrow two games, the kid is Villa mad, think he will be playing one day for the Villa, I have to go with you Trevor on where you take the child into the ground, I took him into the Doug Ellis part and all his interested was the way the Holte end fans was reacting to the players. Never the less he keeps asking when do we go again, I tell him, we will one day soon.
spot on giddy, me 1st visits to the Villa were as an 8/9 year old in the holte, standing in those days and yes the language was not anything i hadnt heard or used myself in the playground.
the young man in question i hope will love it, theres nothing better than the buzz and the excitment of a match, something watching on t.v doesn’t come close to, the sounds, the banter and if you’re down near the front even the smell of the turf! amazing.
like our author i think the prices are ridiculous. when i was a kid in the late 70′s early 80′s my dad could take me to a game no trouble money wise, it was literally pennies, even relatively, i dont know what it is but the 50p rising to £1.50 we paid those years was extremely do’able on a fortnightly basis for a working bloke to manage. to take one kid to a game like he says, £60! and that don’t include travel and food, program, scraf ect, a working class bloke with 2 kids, anything upto £200 every two weeks to go watch you favorite team?! how does that relate to the average working wage? and i dont mean the B/S gov’ stats either, i mean the real money in the pocket working class take home.
villa and all clubs should be breaking they’re backs to encourage the youngsters and families to come week in week out, it is the future of football.
Harumph! Harumph!! :/
Couldn’t agree more, NM. My first game was in 58, and often when I went to VP as a kid with my dad and grandad. Relatively speaking, entrance costs were much more affordable. I remember that often, I was lifted over the turnstile, effectively being let in for nothing. Fat chance these days!
For years I went to every home game as a ST holder, and many away, but since retirement, prices have long overtaken my capacity to pay every week, so I only get to some games now; I was at Noocassel home and Everton away, for example, but missed the Hammers.
As you say, goodness knows how an ordinary working stiff with a couple of kids manages to go to a game on any sort of a regular basis these days. Sadly, I don’t think that things are likely to change anytime soon.
In fairness to the club Badger, they offered your grandson a cheap ticket and you have decided to pay extra.
I don’t have any problem booking tickets for home or away games for me or my mates.
The prices are steep admittedly, but that’s life.
We haven’t sold out this season and there have been plenty cheaper games than Citeh on a Monday night to go to.
I am an Aston Villa supporter and i obviously want the Villa to win every game. However, the day at VP is so much more than the game its the build up, its the anticipation of seeing the team, how the team are set up, who has been dropped. its the driving up the M6 before everygame thinking about the result how the league will stand, its trying to find a space for parking, its the walk up to the ground surrounded by fellow Villains either moaning or being optimistic. its then about sitting down waiting for the game to start and then for the game to happen and hear the Holte End singing in unison.
You are introducing your grandson to something magical the managers, the players and the owners come and go but us we stay because we love the Villa I hope you enjoy the game and i hope your grandson loves being a part of the Villa family, sometimes we just have to the politicians be just that and for us to enjoy what is regradless of result a fulfilling day out
Some interesting comments.
Trevor, I don’t really think I’m asking for anything, apart from lower prices throughout the game.
This “tickets for schools” thing is a good idea, but I’d particularly like to see prices slaughtered for kids.
Every game that isn’t forecast to be a sellout, should be kids for a quid, imo.
And those that are, kids should pay no more than a fiver.
Vaze, yes I decided to pay, because I’m in the fortunate position where I earn a fair bit more than the vast majority of people I know and my thinking was that if the ticket goes back to the lad’s school, it might go to a kid who’s parents could never afford to take them otherwise.
Which is exactly the position my daughter and SIL are in, even with a free kid’s ticket.
How the hell we’re going to pull the next generation in, is beyond me and it amazes me how clubs don’t see this. Talk about jam today.
Ian has previously made the point about the average age of spectators increasing, for example.
All that said, I’m now considering using the free ticket for another game if he enjoys the Citeh game.
You know, try and get him into the habit, etc.
Given that I mostly work away, this is probably going to cost me a day’s wages too, as I’ll have to have the day off, which makes it decidedly expensive!
But whatever, I’m going to make sure it’s an enjoyable evening for him, whatever the result
I do hope we get a win though, as that’s what makes it so memorable, imo. The thought of following a winning team etc.
The points about which part of the ground to take him are valid, but I decided that he’ll sample more of the atmosphere that Naughtius and Morgan so rightly rave about in the Holte, warts and all.
He’s a lovely kid and comes across as very innocent, but as said, I’m sure he’ll have heard it all before.
I’m really looking forward to it now and hope my experience is better than my last one.
I forgot to say normally I love to sing, but will have to curb my normal enthusiasm for most songs, which will put a slight dampener on things, given that my language is immaculate when I have kids around me.
Some of you older readers might remember the following line from a certain manager;
No swearing Gentlemen please
I took my daughter to her first game at 4 and been to about 10-15 since. Always sat either Holte End or lower north and play the system right (as a season ticket holder easy enough to) and it becomes quite cheap.
The problem is that less and less are doing this and really worries me about the future. The TV money next season should be used across the boaard to reduce prices. It will not be as the PL new rules means the club have to fleece every penny out of the fans, forget the long term.
You know what I would do ?
U16 – ST £50 – match prices £5 in Holte and north stand and Trinity and Witton lower
16 – 18 – ST £125 Match prices £10 as above
18-21 – ST £175 Match prices £15 as above
This should happen at all grounds i think an independent body should set up how much tickets are, football is ripping off its punters and the grounds are getting empty, only a handful of clubs fill up week in week out and have waiting lists for season tickets. The FA must be looking north of the border and seeing how damaging this elitist treatment of our game is, the SPL rarely fill out a stadium and is in massive decline the English league are not far behind
the problem with football fans is unlike any other consumer product we can not simply switch to another product and the clubs have always exploited that.
I like your thinking Ian.
The jump from youth to adult is shocking as it stands and takes no account at all of how people’s wages improve, imo.
whilst we have student fees if you are 20-25 in a first job, wages likely to be low and of course other demands on your pocket which have to be filled first and especially housing.
The future of the club is not on a bunch of 40-60 year olds keep on going