My grandson advice required

[PatelsPlatoon]

Some snippets of ropey advice on here IMO.

Two specific bits I disagree with:

1.  Don't tell the school (unless it's actual bullying) - it's a shortcut to getting proper bullied
2.  Don't pretend to support another team - I'd rather get bullied for being an Albion fan than bullied for being the person who changed teams.

Now then, bullying in the 80s and 90s - that was proper horrific compared to today's standards.

I know 2 kids who were glory hunters Liverpool and Man city. One at 13 became Blues and the other 15 also Blues. They never had any problems with the fact they said they decided to start following their dad's team and it's not proper support following a glory team.

Agree with the first bit of advice. You need to realise being punched and have your chocolate stolen is a world away from saying albion are shit, which we currently are.

[KRO]

I was the only Blues kid in my school in yamland. Blues , Albion and Wolves were on the way to being shit and vile won the league and that thing in Rotterdam they rarely mention. My old man just kept buying me kits for Birthdays and Christmas and took me to games. No viler was ever going to make me not support Blues. Nowadays you can report abuse and hopefully stop it.
My lad was the only Blues fan in his school and got stick but I did the same. Kits, go to games as often as possible. Get him a mascot package (much cheaper in this shithole league) and he’ll be fine mate. It is character building

[CarlosCorbewrong]

Some snippets of ropey advice on here IMO.

Two specific bits I disagree with:

1.  Don't tell the school (unless it's actual bullying) - it's a shortcut to getting proper bullied
2.  Don't pretend to support another team - I'd rather get bullied for being an Albion fan than bullied for being the person who changed teams.

Now then, bullying in the 80s and 90s - that was proper horrific compared to today's standards.

I know 2 kids who were glory hunters Liverpool and Man city. One at 13 became Blues and the other 15 also Blues. They never had any problems with the fact they said they decided to start following their dad's team and it's not proper support following a glory team.

Agree with the first bit of advice. You need to realise being punched and have your chocolate stolen is a world away from saying albion are shit, which we currently are.

You're probably right - it's more socially acceptable to change teams when you're a little kid too.

[AnelkasBeard]

I was one of a handful of Baggies at my school, which was mostly Villa with some Noses thrown in, and one solitary Dingle. The dynamic was usually the Vile and Noses having pops at each other, with the occasional "oh yeah, those knobs support black country teams", so luckily it wasn't as bad as you've described, especially at 7.

Best advice to give is that you have to teach the lad to own his choice of team, get him more invested by taking him to a few games as suggested and hopefully he'll be more comfortable with it and be able to brush off the harsh words.

The words thrown at him only have power if he lets them. I'm aware that at 7, that's a very difficult message to get across to him.

[Vinebaggie]

Just want to say a big THANK YOU to all the posters who took the time to respond to the OP. There's some great advice and it really has made me feel better about the situation. Having read all the advice I have a two point plan 1) just take more time to explain how special our football club is, its history and what it has meant to generations of good football fans through out the ages. The fact that its often not easy being a Baggie and that's actually what makes us so special, anyone can be soft and support successful glory hunting teams. Supporting the Baggies through tough times makes the good times great (I'm kind of writing my script here!) The fact that there's not loads of Baggies at his school is the very thing that makes him, in terms of football, special and unique.2) I need to get him to a game and as some have said make it a special experience, not just turn up watch a game and go home. Thinking of going to MacDonalds before hand, what kid doesn't love a pre match burger, then arriving early and allowing the atmosphere to build and really soak in. I've seen us play FA Cup semi finals, play off finals, play in Europe the Villa and Wolves loads of times but I can honestly say I will never have wanted us to win a game as much as his first game.
Once again thanks everyone, this bored is easily the best thing on t'interweb

[baggy1]

There is something special about grandkids that brings in the more protective element, i'd say even more protective than I was with my kids. I think the long game is what is needed here, at 6 he will have plenty of time to make his own decisions and your role is just to fill him with the stories that you heard added to your experiences. Little snippets such as my Grandad walking from Burnt Tree with throngs of other workers to the ground in the 30s after they finished work at 12 to get there for the kick off because the buses and trams were full - there is probably a fair amount of poetic licence in there but it evokes a memory that is still with me about 100 years ago. Sprinkle that blue and white gold dust liberally and take him to the games with the full experience like you say.

My nephew and lad regularly moan at me and my BIL for what we have made them suffer, but they are still the most vocal in the WhatsApp group during a game.

[HawkingsHalfpint]

Glad you’ve found it helpful. This ‘ere dump is exactly that, in so many aspects of life; both football and non-football related.

Just to advise, though, the Maccies on the Brummie Road (more or less opposite) is sheer mayhem, and makes our ticket office and boardroom look wonderful, functional enterprises. Both my lad and I stop at another en route if that’s ever his preference for pre-match grub.

[man in the corner shop]

First of all he sounds like a cracking little lad, well done to the family involved.
My lad is the only Baggie in his school. This was viewed as odd by his peers at the time that we were in the PL. Probably viewed more negatively now.I don't think he got too much stick for it. Just piss taking and "who?"He's stuck with us I'm glad to say.

The point raised about bullying is very relevant I would say. I also think that we have given our offsprings a burden to carry, unfortunately.

Kids generally want to fit in with everyone else and if they choose something different....hair, clothes, football team, music etc...they are setting themselves up for ridicule.

If he wasn't so young he would find his own way but you and his parents are gonna have to help him and try and give him the tools he needs to get through this challenge ....and many other challenges he will face. Maybe some kids just need to be sheep and do the same as everyone else - if that's what they need to carry on. Better that than traumatising em non stop.

Me, I always went against the trend in everything coz i am contrary. My kids generally do what every else does to fit in, bar Albion, possibly in rebellion against me!. There isn't really a right or wrong answer but you have to do whatever you think is best for the lad. And you will know what that is better than me.

[Supamart1]

Some snippets of ropey advice on here IMO.

Two specific bits I disagree with:

1.  Don't tell the school (unless it's actual bullying) - it's a shortcut to getting proper bullied
2.  Don't pretend to support another team - I'd rather get bullied for being an Albion fan than bullied for being the person who changed teams.

Now then, bullying in the 80s and 90s - that was proper horrific compared to today's standards.

Spot on. He will be fine.
We are now all are - well sort of !

[man in the corner shop]

At my sink comp I was very good at cross-country running. Why? I had plenty of practice being chased by East Birmingham's finest like Daz, Woz, Tez, Jez & Bez.

Being an Albion fan in enemy territory is character building.

And the Labour Party Young Socialists.