Caution if going to OT with very small children
Posted: 23 May 2011, 22:44
Just to make people aware I have been informed by both Manchester United and Stevenage that tickets will need to be purchased for children of any age, including under 1s.
I did ask Torquay but they have not responded to my emails nor picked up the phone in the last two days, but having queried with Man Utd regarding the possibility of storing a pram at the ground I was informed that:
a. This is not possible
b. I would need to purchase a ticket for my 3 month old son otherwise he will not be let in
When I queried why I should buy a seat for someone who won't use it, I was told they would need a ticket for health and safety reasons to make sure the ground is not over-filled. I stated there would be 60k empty seats so couldn't see it being a problem, however they wouldn't budge. I confirmed this by calling Stevenage (who picked up straight away and were very helpful) and they said this is a ground order and that every individual must have a ticket but the club has the right to sell at a concessionary rate.
I have been to lots of games recently with a small baby and never been asked to pay for him. Equally at places like Theme Parks a ticket is required but this is to manage numbers and does not come with any cost. Forking out for travel, a hotel and tickets for the rest of my family was bad enough, but throw another 'unplanned' ticket into the mix and I am understanding the argument of the stay at homes.
Had I not queried the possibility of taking a pram to the ground I would not have thought to buy him a ticket so wanted to make people aware who, like me, are in the position where they have no choice but to take a baby along, that they would need to buy an additional ticket and not be faced with getting caught out at the ground.
I did ask Torquay but they have not responded to my emails nor picked up the phone in the last two days, but having queried with Man Utd regarding the possibility of storing a pram at the ground I was informed that:
a. This is not possible
b. I would need to purchase a ticket for my 3 month old son otherwise he will not be let in
When I queried why I should buy a seat for someone who won't use it, I was told they would need a ticket for health and safety reasons to make sure the ground is not over-filled. I stated there would be 60k empty seats so couldn't see it being a problem, however they wouldn't budge. I confirmed this by calling Stevenage (who picked up straight away and were very helpful) and they said this is a ground order and that every individual must have a ticket but the club has the right to sell at a concessionary rate.
I have been to lots of games recently with a small baby and never been asked to pay for him. Equally at places like Theme Parks a ticket is required but this is to manage numbers and does not come with any cost. Forking out for travel, a hotel and tickets for the rest of my family was bad enough, but throw another 'unplanned' ticket into the mix and I am understanding the argument of the stay at homes.
Had I not queried the possibility of taking a pram to the ground I would not have thought to buy him a ticket so wanted to make people aware who, like me, are in the position where they have no choice but to take a baby along, that they would need to buy an additional ticket and not be faced with getting caught out at the ground.