By AliceT (as told to KevT)
January 10 2003

I was very excited because Dad had said he would take me to Harlequins on Saturday. Dad likes taking me because as I am under five and he doesn’t have to pay for me to get in. I don't get my own seat but I can sit on his lap or hope that kind people move over if there are spaces near by. Dad says he wouldn't take me to the really big matches as there are no spaces. Dad also likes taking me as Harlequins had won both of the times that I had been before.

I wrapped up warm which is very important because we were sitting in the cold for two hours. We drove to the ground and parked in the Harlequins Car Park which we can do because Dad has a season ticket. He says that you can also pay £5 to park in a car park a little bit further up.

When we got into the ground I wanted to go to the shop first. There were lots of things for babies like my brother Will but the shirts are small boys which are too big for children my age. I really like the shop though and the people in the shop are very friendly.

We then went to the East Stand bar which was very crowded because it was cold outside. I'm only little and could get lost easily so Dad had to carry me through the bar. We saw lots of friendly faces and it's a good place for Dad to take me to go to the toilet. Dad says the loos in the West Stand aren't so nice.

Mighty Quins Village

One of the best things about going to Harlequins is the Mighty Quins Village. There are lots of things to do. There's a bouncy castle, Little Tykes cars and toys or you can have your face painted. The thing I liked the best is that there are lots of paints and lots of paper so you can do painting. Dad likes the fact that the wall of the tent which forms the village is clear so he can see all the players on the pitch. Dad has to stay with me in the village but there are also lots of friendly people to help me with getting more bits of paper. Dad says my face lit up when Harley and Charlie Bear walked in. Lots of children had their pictures taken with them. Harley waved at me and I ran over and gave him a big hug.

West Stand

Dad took me into the West Stand bar which was less crowded than the bigger bar. It was a bit smoky but there isn't much smoke at my height. A very nice man with a small beard wearing very loud trousers bought me a lemonade which was great. He asked me if I wanted a pork roll but I said no. We then went out to our seats. There were no spare seats for me so a very kind man offered to sit in the row in front so I could sit down.

The Match

There was lots of noise when the players ran out. Dad told me what the players were doing. The players started kicking and throwing the ball. I could see Will Greenwood get the ball and I shouted "Get Off Him" when one of the other players jumped on Will. I really enjoyed the noise and all the people. There was a man sitting near us who Dad said was called "The Horned Helmet". Whenever he sounded his horn I shouted as loud as I could "Har-le-Quins". I enjoyed that as Mummy and Dad don't like me shouting at home. I couldn't understand the other song which people were singing. "The referee's a Lander" or something like that. There were some other people shouting behind us. They weren't looking very happy. Dad said they were called Evs, Scotty, Tommy and JK.

At half time I normally go back to The Mighty Quins Village but there were lots of police dogs chasing and biting people. I really enjoyed watching them. Dad looked to the press box and said 'the dogs aren't the only ones who are barking'.

Dad had told me to cheer the Harlequins team and not the team in white but I couldn't understand why the Harlequins supporters were cheering Brendon Daniel when he walked off. Everyone seemed to get annoyed with someone called Mr Archer. Dad said he took nearly took Jim Evans' head off. He said he should have joined another Mr Archer in prison. I thought that was a bit harsh.



After the Match

When the match finished I was sad and asked why Harlequins had to finish. Dad said that everyone was tired and had to go home. I also asked Dad why Will Greenwood stands on the grass and we sit in chairs. Dad couldn't answer that one. He asked me who my favourite Harlequin was. I said the Horned Helmet. We got back home for my tea. I asked Dad why he never seemed to get home in time for tea after going to Harlequins. My Mum wondered why that was as well.

I had a great time and really want to go again.

Dad says: "It's a real pleasure to take young children to The Stoop. The management at Quins have made a real effort in the whole matchday experience for young children. The Mighty Quins Village is a fantastic facility. It means that the whole family can buy into going to Quins which is great. They are often told when they get it wrong. It's great to see them get this right."