Murrayfield & kids under 2 : Sun Apr 19, 2009 7:44 am  

Following on from my gripe about the lack of suitable merchandise in the shop (which, incidently I have had no reply to) I now have a second issue relating to the retail staff.

When purchasing our Magic tickets I asked whether we would need a ticket for our 7 month old grandson. "No, no" was the reply, "he can't sit in a seat and, like here, they'll just let him in". WRONG!!!!!

Thankfully I read the letter in the Rugby League Express complaining about the pushchair ban and rang the RFL. Yes, the stadium have a ban on pushchairs being taken into the stadium - great! but then I learn that I do need a ticket for him, albeit I do not have to pay for it (H&S was the reason quoted!).

So word of warning if you are taking a child under 2 to any of the RFL events (Challenge Cup, Grand Final, Test matches, Magic) you have to get a ticket from the RFL. And, if you want to know anything about anything don't ask in the Carlton Lanes!!!!!!

: Sun Apr 19, 2009 3:37 pm  

You'll find similar in most RL grounds. Certainly Warrington is the same. You do need a ticket for H&S reasons, if there is an emergency evacuation they need to know exactly how many people are inside the stadium, which is fair enough.

: Tue Apr 21, 2009 7:24 am  

A ban on pushchairs is very understandable in any ground really, and as you don't have to pay for the ticket then I don't really understand your complaint on that one either as rugbychick said it makes sense when you think about it - although the club should have been aware of this when selling you the tickets.

: Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:40 am  

gateaux wrote:

A ban on pushchairs is very understandable in any ground really, and as you don't have to pay for the ticket then I don't really understand your complaint on that one either as rugbychick said it makes sense when you think about it - although the club should have been aware of this when selling you the tickets.

My major complaint is about the inefficiency of the staff employed within the shop. It's not the only occasion when they have given incorrect advice - and that's when they have got a clue!

I understand the implications of pushchairs in the stadium to some people however I would value your opinion if you had to hold a 7 month old for 5 or 6 hours. By the way there was no issue last year at The Millenium with regard to this as pushchairs were allowed in as long as they were folded down when in the seats but could be taken to the front when up so the children could sleep - and we are supposed to be a family sport.

I'll give you a shout when my arms are aching

: Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:43 am  

mitch1 wrote:

My major complaint is about the inefficiency of the staff employed within the shop. It's not the only occasion when they have given incorrect advice - and that's when they have got a clue!

I understand the implications of pushchairs in the stadium to some people however I would value your opinion if you had to hold a 7 month old for 5 or 6 hours. By the way there was no issue last year at The Millenium with regard to this as pushchairs were allowed in as long as they were folded down when in the seats but could be taken to the front when up so the children could sleep - and we are supposed to be a family sport.

I'll give you a shout when my arms are aching

You are sat down so its not that difficult, and you can get the carriers that go on your chest that the child can go in. I am also guessing its not you on your own with the child so there are probably going to be others who can hold him.

At the end of the day though you make the choice to take a child with you so you have to be flexible to do so and you can't expect the ground to go out of their way to the extent of letting push chairs in where space in limited.

: Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:34 am  

gateaux wrote:

You are sat down so its not that difficult, and you can get the carriers that go on your chest that the child can go in. I am also guessing its not you on your own with the child so there are probably going to be others who can hold him.

At the end of the day though you make the choice to take a child with you so you have to be flexible to do so and you can't expect the ground to go out of their way to the extent of letting push chairs in where space in limited.

There endeth the lesson by someone without a child.

: Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:38 am  

gateaux wrote:

.

At the end of the day though you make the choice to take a child with you so you have to be flexible to do so and you can't expect the ground to go out of their way to the extent of letting push chairs in where space in limited.

At the end of the day the RFL should do all it possibly can to cater for what will be its future audience--simple as that.

: Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:39 am  

mitch1 wrote:

There endeth the lesson by someone without a child.

I haven't, but my sister isn't going to Edinburgh this season as she has a baby who will be 6 months old then and she feels it would be too much for him so she is watching at home this season.

He has been to games at knowsley road but they have at no point expected to be able to take him in a pram - they carried him for the game.

It seems like common sense to me and you seem to just be looking for reasons to complain!

: Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:43 am  

gateaux wrote:

I haven't, but my sister isn't going to Edinburgh this season as she has a baby who will be 6 months old then and she feels it would be too much for him so she is watching at home this season.

He has been to games at knowsley road but they have at no point expected to be able to take him in a pram - they carried him for the game.

It seems like common sense to me and you seem to just be looking for reasons to complain!

1 game is fine - 3 or 4 becomes a little more difficult. And yes it would be our choice to go or stay and also to watch 1 match or more. As I've said we are all entitled to our own opinions and I'm bored of trying to reason with you now. Family sport should have family values and family friendly decision makers - end of.

: Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:46 am  

mitch1 wrote:

1 game is fine - 3 or 4 becomes a little more difficult. And yes it would be our choice to go or stay and also to watch 1 match or more. As I've said we are all entitled to our own opinions and I'm bored of trying to reason with you now. Family sport should have family values and family friendly decision makers - end of.

It does have family values but they can only go so far at the end of the day and the fans have to have some flexibility and common sense in what they are expecting.

You can't always have everything you want thats life unfortunately.