My grandson advice required

[Vinebaggie]

My grandson is in the context of this 3 things 1) a 6 year old kid who loves sports 2) a kid who is of a v gentle nature, sensitive and averse to any kind of conflict 3) at my instigation a Baggie who wears his Albion top to all football and games events at the school.  More context we live in south Birmingham which over the past view decades has moved from being predominantly Blues, with a lot of Villa and a smattering of Baggies, to in my grandsons generation over whelmingly Villa with a smattering of blues and glory hunters, but virtually zero baggies in our primary schools.  
Issue is my lovely, kind, beautiful grandson is being relentlessly teased that West Brom are crap, shit ( bit disturbing the number of youngsters who know enough to attach the appellation “shit” to a football team) and was v clearly told yesterday that West Brom “are the worst team ever”.  West Brom aren’t the worst team ever we know that, but if a 6 year old is told that by a bunch of older kids in the school he’s inclined to believe it.  It’s making him v upset, he’s one of those kids that wants to fit in be a part of the group, but his West Brom shirt is like a stigma setting him apart from everyone else.  Those of you with grandchildren will know that the love you have for your grandkids is both v deep and special.  Knowing the abuse he’s getting at school is 100% on me wanting him to be a Baggie is v hard to take.  I don’t want him to be taking stick at school for literally being the only West Brom fan in his class, and I suspect in the whole school, supporting a team that will give his classmates endless opportunities to ridicule him and take the piss. And it’s got to the point where his Mom and Dad are concerned, because with regard to football at least this 6 year old kid is on his own.  
Sorry for the diatribe but I’m genuinely upset by this and wondering if any of you had similar circumstances and what did you do, or what advice would you have?

[CarlosCorbewrong]

Just buy him a Man City top and save him 70+ years of misery.

Many a true word said in jest. The laddo is going to have to get used to people being horrible about his team. Teach him some defence mechanisms if i were you - the first one is "yeah they're not great, but they're my team so fuck off"

Unfortunately that's what it boils down to: Either choose a team that's not shit or learn to roll with the jibes.

[Lurker#3]

If he doesn't get bullied in any other way I would see it as a very controlled case of character building. Talk to him about what they say and give him some witty rebuttals.

[baggiebloke]

In the first instance I think you need to instil into a very young mind that words of that nature mean nothing. Not easy.

I'd also try to get him to ask if he just wants to be the same as everyone else. Easier.

Also, show him why you support The Albion.

He won't know anything about our rich history and heritage. Delve into YouTube for the 3-5, some Gera goals, etc., etc., etc.

Finally, tell him about The Seals recent history. Closing a stand section because they haven't got enough fans to fill it, etc., etc., etc.

[CIM]

My kids are Reading born and bred. But both massive Albion fans. They were teased at school by Liverpool/Man Utd fans for supporting Albion. And in one of their cases I know it used to upset them and make them angry. But to be honest as they've grown older their mates have accepted, even admired them for supporting a different team.

And as for south Birmingham. My Albion supporting mom (RIP) and dad were from there. Not sure how Blues fans can ever take the mick out of anyone. And Villa fans you just have to accept are intolerable at any level.

[MGalea]

Grew up in similar situation - but at least 50% of the kids didn't even know who West Brom were.

He'll get the last laugh one day.... until the next day when he'll be laughed at again - that is football.

Just tell him if he doesn't support West Brom you'll kick him out of the family - worked for me.

[11amstart]

This was me when I was a kid and was often accompanied by physical threats, intimidation and physical violence.Back then you just had to get on with it and some today may still consider it as banter. However, it’s not!

Today, it’s called bullying and the school shouldn’t allow this sort of behaviour. At school, make his class teacher aware of the bullying and ask to see a copy of their Bullying Policy. If it continues see the Headteacher and if it continues contact the Chair of Governors.

If you need to chat further please DM me.

[Derek Hardballs]

Sadly football attracts a lot of bullies and loud obnoxious kids in school. Take a look at any leisure centres, sports unions or park football and you will see parents and children acting abysmally when they descend on mass.

I’m not sure what you can do to change the culture around the game. I certainly haven’t as much as I’d like to encouraged any of my kids to be into football because I don’t like many of aspects that surrounds it. I have left it up to them to show an interest.

I think all you can do is to tell him to be proud of his chosen team and understand that this is part of football culture. It may not be right, it may put him off football but you cannot change the culture and I’m not sure to what extent the school will do anything about it. However it may be worth telling his teacher as they might be able to help.

Sorry I’m cynical about football, and have a bit of a love hate relationship with it these days, particularly because I don’t know any other sport that attracts such awful behaviour that is condoned and encouraged by parents and in some cases coaches.

Look at the language on here when there’s a player or manager fans don’t like.

[Llandudno Baggie]

Have you taken him to a game yet?
A decent well thought out trip to The Hawthorns is enough to reinforce things, especially if you play down the importance of the result.
I took my grandson to his first game - we got beat by Sunderland - but he came out asking if we could get him a season ticket! It's even harder up here, with it being Utd, Liverpool, Everton, City and of course Wrexham! He asks me every month when are we going next.

Kids are cruel and thoughtless, and I understand your worries - but he will need to put up with bigger stuff in life. It's character building anyway. He might even thank you in 20 years time!

[tHEgLASSdOORS]

Come back up

Win the cup

Kick fuck out the villa

Good luck to you helping him out fella. Any Albion fan born between about 72 and 95 will have experienced similar at some point, it’s shit at the time but you come out the other side all the stronger