I've got a new regular standing next to me in J block.
The problem is he's only about 11, on his own and no sign of parents etc.*
Do I talk to him?
offer him an m&m?
Pretend he's not there?
I can talk for England but find this a bit awkward.
*if he belongs to one of us he's perfectly safe but things were getting a bit heated with the stewards next to us and looked like it would kick off.
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In fact, just to be on the safe side, change stands.
Did he get jumpy when the floodlights were turned on?
Went on my own and still sit in the same seat on my own
Being the Premier League the East Stand was a sell out yet sat next to a lovely bloke (he only sat next to me the one season before moving, shut it!!) who I chatted with every week, still one of my main memories is balling my eyes out when we got relegated against Sheffield Wednesday and he stood there asking if I was okay - Over the years I spoke to others around me who have since moved on and dont attend anymore leaving just the three of us (a couple of others still show up and make sure they sit behind me so we catch up etc.)
Because of those around me its probably the harder reason to give up my season ticket now, not because of the football but losing the friendships I've built
Its a long winded answer but I'd suggest talking to him, will potentially give him more cause to attend games because its then more than just the game they're attending
The only word of caution I'd offer is its not 1998 anymore, people have got a lot more tetchy about even speaking with kids
More on point, just ask him a question like, do you remember that clown Fraye? Or how good it was when we beat Chelsea. Your quickly get an idea of how old he was or/and who he is and who he is with.
Had a really bizarre run in with a young lad down my road in March last year... Said some kids had broken his phone and was terrified of going back to his parents because they wouldnt believe him
Didnt want to escort him home and help explain as was worried about how it may look
Had another instance with him a few months afterwards where he was around my road asking for some advise which I cant remember now and again brushed it off
Third case I heard of a kid (strongly fitted this lad's description) being threatened by kids in town one night with a knife, seemed very agitated when he spoke with these adults - Now it could have been a different child and he could regardless have been telling tales in sob story / cry wolf attempt - He'd been really polite when he'd spoken to me though so decided to act this time by going out for a walk to see if I could find this kid and see if he was okay... Walking around my plan would have been to call the police the moment I found him (never did and havent ran into him since) but in a way I'm glad I didnt, how would it look to the police, me an adult standing around with a kid I'm no connection / relation with, despite my efforts of being a good samaritan am adament even now it wouldnt have ended well for me had I found him
Exchange a friendly greeting, when you're that age it's good to be acknowledged by your fellow fans if you are just taking those first steps towards making football your thing rather than something you have to do with parents, etc.
Ps just read your post again and realized he's been there more than one match.
Could it be AFKA, Canters or Oztumer ?
Considering I have never seen you sober other than when you were in the funeral march. Some strange and poor parents around.
Ps. I gave your black and white scarf to a Grimsby fan who came down to London because he hated the smell of fish and was selling the big issue near Charing cross. Even though the scarf had been washed, the scarf had the aroma of Smirnoff, and he was grateful to get a reminded of his football team. I thing it was at the Hull 6-0 defeat that you gave me the scarf.
Still Lee and Matt only speak the truth so shouldn't be needed now.