Footy in person advice please

[thehornets]

Bizarrely, despite going to many, many games all over the country (and abroad) between Jan 1979 and May 2008, I never collected autographs at football. It used to be a social thing for me, so I never thought about it.

I have a rare opportunity to go to a match next Saturday for the first time since May 2008 as the tickets for Watford v Barnsley are only £10 (£1 for kids), and I had some spare cash.

I would love to try for some autographs, but cannot leave my wife/daughter at home too long, so have a fairly limited time window on the day.

On average, how long before a game does the visiting team arrive, and how long after before they get on the team coach to leave? Is there a rough rule of thumb for this?

Thanks in advance for any help/advice.

[owlet21]

Most visiting teams get to a ground between 1 and a half hours to 2 hours before the game and afterwards it depends on the club concerned what time they leave. As a rule, most leave within 45 minutes to 1 and a half hours of the game finishing.

Hope this will be of use to you

[thehornets]

Many thanks for that, most helpful. Now to decide whether to go for before or after. I will not have enough time to try both.

[norwichcity78]

Nigel when i go to games at Carrow Road the away teams tend to turn up around 1.30 - 2.00pm and the home team tends to start to arrive around 12.30 - 1.30, hope this helps mate

[loobyloo6]

Nigel, Most teams tend to arrive around 1 and a half hours before kick-off time. Oxford today left the Stanley ground at 6.10pm..players drifted back to the team coach from 5.15pm onwards..some do a warm down, some of the subs who didn't play were out first. a nice steady trickle out the dressing room today..missed no one. Got my share again today.

[thehornets]

All good advice, thank you. Do you all tend to find it is better after a game than before?

[loobyloo6]

I always IP after the game Nigel. Never been one for getting graphs before the game. Can't miss out this way.

[norwichcity78]

Im the same as Alex with regards to the away teams i never bother with them on the way in as most just ignore you as they are prob told to get in, sometimes you mybe lucky with the odd one or two players but i always wait after the games

[tots-junction-baby-shop]

Good luck Nigel look forward to seeing your replies 🙂

[thehornets]

Thanks, sounds like after the game is the way to go. I'm on the wrong side of the ground, so will have to go agianst the flow of the crowd leaving, but fingers crossed.

[ethanmartha]

all great advice mate,but for me if you havnt been to a game since 2008 enjoy the game mate dont worry about graphes