First game advice

[1879Rovers]

A few things.

Firstly, I am thinking of taking my 5-year-old lad to his first Rovers game at Reading on Saturday. It will be just me and him, giving his mum the day off, so what do I need to do to keep him entertained if his interest in the game starts to disappear.

I took him to the second half of a FA Cup Third Qualifying round last weekend and he loved it. He has been to a game before. He was at the Mexico v Japan Olympic Games semi-final at Wembley last year. He lasted 40 minutes before getting bored but his interest in football wasn't the same as it is now.

Secondly, it takes me back to my first game. I went to watch Rovers play Derby County in a League Cup clash at Belle Vue in 1976. The main thing I remember from that night was the tense atmosphere and lots of trouble. Rovers just lost to Derby, who had been crowned champions of England just a few years earlier.

What was your first game?

[IDM]

First game?  Boxing day, 1975 (I think) at home vs Lincoln.  We lost 2-4.

[Draytonian III]

18th of October 1975, Swansea at Belle Vue won 2-1

[BobG]

I remember that Boxing Day game IDM. Dennis had a bit of a stinker I recall. But we always, always used to lose on Boxing Day anyway so it didn't really matter - except I'd taken a rather nice young lady with me. She wasn't very impressed I have to say......

BobG

[Padge_DRFC]

Rochdale at home 95 lost 1v0

[ch-ch rover]

I was there that day to it was bloody freezing and i remember Lincoln being a good side Mick Harford as a young lad

[not on facebook]

A few things.

Firstly, I am thinking of taking my 5-year-old lad to his first Rovers game at Reading on Saturday. It will be just me and him, giving his mum the day off, so what do I need to do to keep him entertained if his interest in the game starts to disappear.

I took him to the second half of a FA Cup Third Qualifying round last weekend and he loved it. He has been to a game before. He was at the Mexico v Japan Olympic Games semi-final at Wembley last year. He lasted 40 minutes before getting bored but his interest in football wasn't the same as it is now.

Secondly, it takes me back to my first game. I went to watch Rovers play Derby County in a League Cup clash at Belle Vue in 1976. The main thing I remember from that night was the tense atmosphere and lots of trouble. Rovers just lost to Derby, who had been crowned champions of England just a few years earlier.

What was your first game?

I was at that game,seem to recall Charlie George attacking the cow shed end and hitting the ball and it just rolled Across the rovers cross bar

[nice one rovers]

My advice with taking your kids is , don't be tempted to let them take a friend , they always mess about when they've got a mate with 'em.
Just keep drip-feeding sweets.

[RobTheRover]

And stick a copy of "Cars" or "Toy Story 3" on your phone as a fall back.

[The Red Baron]

8th November 1969. Rovers 3 Bristol Rovers 1 in the old Division Three.

[Iberian Red]

SYP let the dogs loose on the bit of waste land behind the old kop after the Derby game. Absolute chaos,and the only time to this day I've seen that happen.

[RedRover45]

Home to Burnley in a pre-season friendly on 5th Aug 1970.

[1879Rovers]

Thanks for the words of wisdom. Despite living down south for 25-years, I am still a tight Yorkshireman so there is no-way he would be bringing a friend. I have told him tonight that we are going so he is looking forward to his first Rovers game.

[1879Rovers]

We are all ready for going, I have taught him a few Rovers songs so be loud and proud as usual this afternoon and you might have a little lad joining in.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Take a few books. Take a drink and snacks. And indulge him. Talk to him all the way through the game. Good luck b

[1879Rovers]

He did ok. Lasted about 40 minutes before he started to get bored. Luckily no-one was sat in our row so he could run up and down the aisle in the second half. He still enjoyed it though.

[Donnywolf]

Thanks for the words of wisdom. Despite living down south for 25-years, I am still a tight Yorkshireman so there is no-way he would be bringing a friend. I have told him tonight that we are going so he is looking forward to his first Rovers game.

I have no idea who my first game was - only that it was at Belle Vue in 55 56 or 57 ? My first memory was of a Team in Black and White stripes but that may have been my second or third game

So my advice (and what I did for my Great Nephews debut) was to take photos of the day and make a poster for him and frame it. I have a copy of it myself and whereas I have nobody to ask and no way of finding out I know he will never forget the Game Attendance Opponents (Rotherham) and Score 3-1 as its all there for him

[The Red Baron]

Home to Burnley in a pre-season friendly on 5th Aug 1970.

I remember that. We played very well against Burnley who were a good side- near the top of Div One- in those days. IIRC it was a 2-2 draw. I thought we'd be all right that coming season. Just shows how wrong you can be!

[carlislerover]

Probably the earliesxt game I recall was Rovers 10 - 0 hammering of Darlington at Belle Vue in the '60s. All I remember is shouting 'we want 11' I know it was hard for at least one regular who didn't make that game (I ate all the pies).........magic!