[Football] Subbuteo, What team you have in the opening box ?

[BN9 BHA]

My most disappointing Christmas present ever (c.1980) was the Subbuteo astroturf pitch. Came rolled up in a tube and never flattened out enough to even be able to play on.

You’re not the only one that couldn’t get the pitch flat.

 

[Invicta]

I used to walk past their main site most days when going to primary school. They had several sites in and around of Tunbridge Wells and most of their painting and assembling work was undertaken by homeworkers.

Remember the factory in Chiddingstone Causesway near Tonbridge as a kid.

Loved subbuteo but the setting up the pitch and accessories was more fun than the actual game!

 

[Bodian]

If you had a Palace team, to keep it current didn’t you have to change the colours wildly from year to year? Their kit changes in the 70s were mental!

It was this one I had. I suspect I was given it, as I can't think of any reason I would have bought it. Except of course for 'practice' games when they would regularly lose 23-0 to my Brighton team.

 

[Screaming J]

I bought bits and pieces as couldn't afford a boxed set, so started off with two teams, balls and goals and added a pitch later when I had the cash. First teams were the Albion and - from memory - Arsenal. Goodness knows why Arsenal, never liked them particularly!

 

[Bodian]

I bought bits and pieces as couldn't afford a boxed set, so started off with two teams, balls and goals and added a pitch later when I had the cash. First teams were the Albion and - from memory - Arsenal. Goodness knows why Arsenal, never liked them particularly!

Probably because they were red - and so a good colour clash.

 

[Taybha]

Peru obviously.

 

[Change at Barnham]

Ajax and Celtic were my favourite two Subbuteo teams.

I was gutted when Ajax played at the Amex this season in black instead of their classic red and white kit.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Leeds.
My middle brother had Chelsea.
We also had Liverpool, Citeh, WBA, Wolves, Derby and Arse.

I still have a little notebook with all the scores.

Leeds.

This was 1969.

On the box I wrote Sprake, Cooper, Charlton, Reanney, Hunter, Gray, Bremner, Giles, Lorrimer, Clarke, Jones (Bates on the bench).

Later I added Jordan, Ellam, and McQueen

 

[Eeyore]

I had the 74 version. The version I was promoted from Division 2 with in 1978.

I was playing kids two years above me and was hated by the 4th year. I came down faster than I went up- much to the joy of the older boys. My biggest achievement being to keep the reigning champion down to 0-2. Some of those kids played electric Subbuteo. Thinking about it, I reckon that match was lined up first on purpose.

One game I had a broken goalkeeper and the bastards wouldn't lend me one. So I had to forfeit.

 

[Bodian]

Leeds.
My middle brother had Chelsea.
We also had Liverpool, Citeh, WBA, Wolves, Derby and Arse.

I still have a little notebook with all the scores.

Leeds.

This was 1969.

On the box I wrote Sprake, Cooper, Charlton, Reanney, Hunter, Gray, Bremner, Giles, Lorrimer, Clarke, Jones (Bates on the bench).

Later I added Jordan, Ellam, and McQueen

And amazingly it was always the teams playing Leeds that suffered from the traditional leg-breaks.... Even their Subbuteo version were dirty.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

And amazingly it was always the teams playing Leeds that suffered from the traditional leg-breaks.... Even their Subbuteo version were dirty.

And we had no superglue back then. The state of some of my players, bollock deep in boiled horse bone.

 

[Triggaaar]

I think I've only told you all about ten times that I was St Luke's School Division One champion in June 1981. So I'll tell you again.

I played as Aston Villa

So you cheated

 

[Eeyore]

You’re not the only one that couldn’t get the pitch flat.

My parents bought me that, so must have been Christmas 1980. I just didn't get on with it and soon went back to the cloth.

 

[Bodian]

And we had no superglue back then. The state of some of my players, bollock deep in boiled horse bone.

Araldite. That was the glue of choice.

 

[PeterT]

Subbuteo was fantastic. Mention of the ‘extras’ like stands etc reminds me of the Subbuteo Cricket though. I just loved the scoreboard!

The scoreboard was great but otherwise I wasn’t impressed with Subbuteo cricket or rugby. Never owned them, though, just knew others who did.

 

[Bodian]

The scoreboard was great but otherwise I wasn’t impressed with Subbuteo cricket or rugby. Never owned them, though, just knew others who did.

I preferred Test Match to Subbuteo cricket.

 

[PeterT]

I preferred Test Match to Subbuteo cricket.

Now you’re talking.

They have tried to revive it but I’ve seen the modern remake and it’s not a patch on the original, that was grrrrreat!!

 

[jakarta]

As you say basic teams were red with white shorts and blue with white shorts.

Living in the North-west they were obviously Man Utd and Everton!

 

[Comrade Sam]

I have a 1980s version with generic blue and red teams.

However, following that, I met the absolute artistic genius that is @Comrade Sam who had many many many subbuteo teams, all beautifully painted as different era Albion teams as well as a 'Classic' Palace team. I think he had about 100 different teams, domestic and international.

Some of my fondest memories as a teen ager were spent with Sam and @zefarelly amongst other, in Shoreham.

Anyhow, Sam used to run at Subbuteo World Cup every summer and I recall winning the tournament twice with Holland.

I spent many nights at Sam's playing Subbuteo, drinking Gin and of course becoming World Champion. Plus of course we played Brighton v Palace.

Just thinking about Subbuteo bring back sooooo many associated memories from those days back in Shoreham, from playing football every day during the summer, Nov 5th bonfires, Subbuteo and that crop circle we created in the Downs.

Thank you @Comrade Sam

I'm touched and your praise brought a tear to my eyes. I remember them with equal fondness. I tried to relive the subbuteo buzz with my daughters during lock down - they didn't bite so it all went back under the eves. I did make Tallulah a personalised BHA in a handmade box during the months of filling time during Covid. I was relieved we no longer wear Adidas as the triple stripes are now beyond my eyesight and steady hands.

 

[GJN1]

I got the Floodlight Edition for Christmas in about 1980. Set it up on the floor, waiting for Dad to get home from the local after his Xmas pint. It wasn't one pint. He knelt on so many players that we were down to 6-a-side in no time.