Getting youngsters to support Everton.

[Crestfallen]

I look at my son lately and have an overwhelming feeling of guilt. He loves them though!

 

[Tipp blue]

They find their own way mate, i played it all, Rugby, GAA and football - funnily enough not basket ball, its all about the fun of playing at that age. Once they start going to school, they start with the tribal stuff of clubs, usually there is a dominent one depending on whose successful was the RS in my day, thats when id be straight in their with the Everton gear. Amazed there isnt a football club out in Portlaois. Pal of mine use to play out in Mountmellick - not sure if they do junior!
Are you Hurling stock mate? Portlaois is a big Football town. Though hurling in Loais has come on hugely, since Micko had his day there.

Rovers is a good night out and Tallaght isnt that far away, they have a good stylish team at the mo.

We don't live in portlaois, we are about half an hour away, He has GAA and Basketball now and want to get him swimming soon.. 3 things is probably enough for both him and us driving around the place, also his younger brother will be getting into these things soon too.

 

[sladen90]

Get some popcorn or his favourite snacks. Put some classic games on or YouTube some iconic moments. That should hopefully grab his initial attention. And buy him an Everton top too. Don't take him to goodison Park as all he'll learn is how to boo.

 

[Shibbywiggles]

We live down in the south east and when I got into football at around six my dad said I can support anyone I want except Liverpool but if I support Everton he’ll take me to games.

I said I was well keen to go to a match so he took me to an away at Upton Park and big Dunc scored in the last minute right in front of us. 2-0 down at half time, Southall saved a pen, then a last minute equaliser and I’ll never forget that eruption in the away end with everyone cheering jumping hugging and throwing v signs at the hammers fans, beautiful.

Weirdly I’ve just looked up the game and that wasn’t my first match because I’d been to Goodison for my birthday that season when Kanchselskis scored against Sheffield Wednesday and I definitely did some local aways before going to Goodison but either way, great memory.

 

[voodoobloo]

I look at my son lately and have an overwhelming feeling of guilt. He loves them though!

That’s it. It’s family tradition to support Everton. Even when we are bad, it’s our thing. It’s also good for people to have balance and I think the Blues bring that to my family.
It really annoys me when Evertonian dads and grandads don’t encourage (force) their kids to support us.

 

[hallamblue]

I deliberately didn't get on at my eldest lad to support Everton. Then 1 year we were at my mum and dad's for Christmas and he asked to go to the Boxing Day game against Sunderland. We were crap, Tim Howard gave away a penalty and got sent off and we lost 1-0. It still didn't put him off. Daft sod! At least it wasn't my fault. He's not as addicted as me though, hardly surprising since I grew up watching Latchford, Mackenzie and Andy King, and shortly afterwards our greatest team in my living memory.

 

[Marius57]

If you aren't taking him to the game. Play some reruns of the martinez first season for him. He won't know the difference. When you do then get him to a game, just explain that those players he watched on the TV have now left us.

 

[PhilM]

As others have said, take him to the match. My son is only young but he’s hooked on the experience and loves his ST regardless of whether we win, lose or draw.

Take him the pub before hand, feel the buzz as you pass through the crowd, walk up the steps and take in the view in all its wonderful glory. If you know, you know.

You never, ever forget your first match (unless you’re too young, involved in a serious incident or get Alzheimer’s etc).

 

[paultheblue]

The only way is by taking him to a match mate.

The result won`t matter to him, as the whole experience, the noise, the smells, ( not the St End Bogs skunk by the way ) the crowd, the atmosphere and the whole " being there " will stay with him forever.

I use to bribe one of my lads with the little Everton badges from the seller outside the ground .

 

[Yarrgh]

Like the kid has any choice if his dear ol' dad supports us.

 

[bluenotred]

I used to be a ST holder but now live in Canada. Took my son (now 16) to Goodison in 2016 to opening game against Spurs.
He enjoyed it but is not hooked like I was. He is not really interested but I guess he is nominally an Everton fan. I will take him to BMD stadium hopefully. Maybe that will get him hooked.

 

[diggerdestroyer]

I gave my lad simple option. Support anyone apart from koppites,rangers. If he does want to support everton I'll bring him to matches. If he wants to support others no probs but I ain't flying him to matches. He supports everton and comes with me now. He is 10 and in for a life of misery?

 

[Ruairi77]

We don't live in portlaois, we are about half an hour away, He has GAA and Basketball now and want to get him swimming soon.. 3 things is probably enough for both him and us driving around the place, also his younger brother will be getting into these things soon too.

Definitely recommend LOI, There's usually some juicy derbies on the opening day of the season. Shels play Pats on the opening day Feb 18. Shels just got promoted so there'll be a good atmosphere. It's probably a bit of a drive but it'll show him that supporting one of the PL big six is not cool!
I was always an everton fan but my dad brought me to my first Drogs game in the early 90s and I was hooked.
I live in the States now with a young lad and I don't want him to end up wasting every saturday morning watching Everton. I wish I was at home so we could both go to United park. (he'll have to waste every saturday morning watching Everton).

 

[thebluebullet]

Commented this on another thread maybe it needs a thread of its own.
I have a 6 year old who is starting to develop an intrest in football, we live in Ireland so we aren't going to get to games very often certainly not while covid is going around I it's current form.
How could you get a 6 year old to support Everton, come on son let's watch Everton you are in for a treat.. and have him watch the complete rubbish on display..
I'd be OK with him supporting any team apart from Liverpool and United.. obviously I'd rather have him support Everton.. thoughts?

Play the new stadium card to him and by the time its built he can be one of the privileged regulars as he gets older.

 

[roy vernon]

Commented this on another thread maybe it needs a thread of its own.
I have a 6 year old who is starting to develop an intrest in football, we live in Ireland so we aren't going to get to games very often certainly not while covid is going around I it's current form.
How could you get a 6 year old to support Everton, come on son let's watch Everton you are in for a treat.. and have him watch the complete rubbish on display..
I'd be OK with him supporting any team apart from Liverpool and United.. obviously I'd rather have him support Everton.. thoughts?

Coming from the county you do, just get him into hurling, he’ll get far more satisfaction from that than from watching us.