did you enjoy Subbuteo?

[Never to the dark side]

item on BBC points west before 18:55pm on tuesday

[weepywall]

I enjoyed Subbuteo, used to play against my brother and regularly beat him, unfortunately he was bit of a hooligan and used to throw the stands and floodlights about and break the players heads off.

[Daniro]

Yes.   

I preferred it when I played both sides, always City v Rovers, and City always won comfortably.

[Lanterne Rouge]

5 minutes ago, weepywall said:

I enjoyed Subbuteo, used to play against my brother and regularly beat him, unfortunately he was bit of a hooligan and used to throw the stands and floodlights about and break the players heads off.

His travelling army of synthetic supporters?

[Silvio Dante]

12 minutes ago, weepywall said:

I enjoyed Subbuteo, used to play against my brother and regularly beat him, unfortunately he was bit of a hooligan and used to throw the stands and floodlights about and break the players heads off.

I used to play against my cousin, he always beat me because he flicked to kick, and I didn’t know.

[Silvio Dante]

More seriously @spudskiis your man here.

[Lanterne Rouge]

7 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said:

I used to play against my cousin, he always beat me because he flicked to kick, and I didn’t know.

What was his name?

[Silvio Dante]

6 minutes ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

What was his name?

Not saying.

All I’ll reveal is that he became spectacularly good at the synthesiser his mother bought him after Phil Oakey gave him some sound pointers.

[Lanterne Rouge]

5 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said:

Not saying.

All I’ll reveal is that he became spectacularly good at the synthesiser his mother bought him after Phil Oakey gave him some sound pointers.

Ah. I remember him now, had a fur-lined sheepskin jacket didn`t he?

[Shelton’s Love Gravy]

I enjoyed Subbuteo. However my index finger occasionally flew off when I flicked the little men

[Silvio Dante]

10 minutes ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

Ah. I remember him now, had a fur-lined sheepskin jacket didn`t he?

He did. Cost him a packet according to my mum.

[slartibartfast]

1 hour ago, Silvio Dante said:

I used to play against my cousin, he always beat me because he flicked to kick, and I didn’t know.

Sounds like My Perfect Cousin !

Was his name Kevin, by any chance ?

[Curr Avon]

44 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said:

He did. Cost him a packet according to my mum.

Didn't he have a degree in economics, maths, physics and bionics?

[GrahamC]

1 hour ago, Silvio Dante said:

I used to play against my cousin, he always beat me because he flicked to kick, and I didn’t know.

What a ******* brilliant tune that is, with superb lyrics, as well.

They genuinely don’t write songs like that these days.

[1960maaan]

3 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

What a ******* brilliant tune that is, with superb lyrics, as well.

They genuinely don’t write songs like that these days.

Only tells a part of the story, where as Half Man Half Biscuit goes into detail, just to add to @Lanterne Rouge 's post .

 

 

There was one in the gang
who had scalectrix
and because of that
he thought he was better than you
every day after school
youd go around there to play him
hoping to compete for some kind championship
And it always took about 15 billion hours to set the track up
And even when you did, the thing never seemed to work

It was a dodgy transformer, again and again.
It was a dodgy transformer, again and again.
It was a dodgy transformer, again and again.
It was a dodgy transformer, that cost 3 pound 10.

So he sent his doting mother
up the stairs with the stepladder
to get the Subbuteo
out of the loft
it had all the accessories
required for that big-match atmosphere
the crowd and the dugout
the floodlights too
and you'd always get palmed off
with a headless center-forward
and a goal-keeper with no arms
and a face like his

and he'd managed to get hold of
a Dukla-Prague Away Kit
'cause his uncle owned a sport shop
and he'd kept it to one side
and after only five minutes
you'd be down to ten men
as hed sent off your right back
for taking the base from under his left-winger
come to half-time, you were losing, four-nil
each and every goal, a hotly disputed penalty
so you smash up the floodlights
and the match was abandoned
and the dog would bark
and you'd be banned from his house
and your travelling army
of synthetic supporters
would be taken away from you
and thrown in the bin.

and now he's working
in a job with a future
he hands me my Giro
every two weeks.
and me, I'm on the lookout
for a proper transformer

[GreedyHarry]

Great game. We set up a league at our school and played on lunchtimes. I remember having a Manchester City team (they were on offer and this was the late eighties so no glory hunting).

Also in the later packs the polystyrene packaging could be dissolved with Tipp-Ex thinners - very satisfying.

[The Saturday Boy]

I remember my dad watching me play against a mate. Dad asked "which team is City?". My reply - "we haven't decided yet - we'll decide at the final whistle"!

[sglosbcfc]

Hanham High School Subbuteo World Cup 1990 was legendary. Understandably homework was out the window as we all focused on winning the Jules Rimet. Between us lots of the countries were represented. I brought in Jackie Charlton's Republic of Ireland team, resplendent with numbers on the back. It was Brazil who really caught the eye though in their famous yellow shirts and bright white socks. I have a feeling it was West Germany who lifted the trophy...probably won on penalties 

[Offside]

2 hours ago, Daniro said:

Yes.   

I preferred it when I played both sides, always City v Rovers, and City always won comfortably.

I used to do that too!

I loved Subbuteo, it was a fantastic game. 

[cidered abroad]

I ran a league in Filton with about a dozen of us plus a couple of lads also from Patchway and Horfield from 1958 for two or three years. We had an initial draw for City and Rovers. I didn't win City, so played as Sheffield United as I'd been given a complimentary ticket when I went there in August '58 by their keeper who was England goalie at the time.

We played home and away on Sunday evening throughout the winter. Great fun and very competitive. Didn't like losing on the real pitch and the subbuteo table!

Edited September 20, 2022 by cidered abroad

[Maltshoveller]

19 minutes ago, Offside said:

I used to do that too!

I loved Subbuteo, it was a fantastic game. 

Subbuteo is not a game its a HOBBY

Hence the name 

 

[Lorenzos Only Goal]

Never understood it if I'm honest. 

[The Constant Rabbit]

Genuine question.

Don't remember ever playing but like to do something with grandkids.

 

What would I need to get started?

Seems to be lots  of games on ebay Australia - but all incomplete.

I'd need the game plus...?

Can people post accessories that they used?

I've seen a scoreboard and a TV tower so far plus heaps of different teams.

Anything else?

 

If anyone has a complete game and extras - looking to  buy I guess. Shipping to Australia (which I will pay obviously) - been thinking of stuff to do with the little 'uns.

This could be it!

 

 

[Norn Iron]

1 hour ago, Maltshoveller said:

Subbuteo is not a game its a HOBBY

Hence the name 

 

Indeed. The bloke who invented it, iirc, wanted to call it The Hobby but when patenting/copyrighting it was told he couldn't use that name. The Latin name for Hobby (as in the bird) is .....Subbuteo. He then suggested this name and got the rights. Clever bloke!

[PHILINFRANCE]

8 minutes ago, Norn Iron said:

Indeed. The bloke who invented it, iirc, wanted to call it The Hobby but when patenting/copyrighting it was told he couldn't use that name. The Latin name for Hobby (as in the bird) is .....Subbuteo. He then suggested this name and got the rights. Clever bloke!

How very interesting - Falco Subbuteo, Eurasian Hobby, bird of prey (Thank You Google).
I studied Latin in school, and I am surprised it was never mentioned as a number of us were keen subbuteo players.

Upon reflection, this was a long time ago, so it may well have been mentioned and I have simply forgotten.

 

 

[spudski]

7 hours ago, Norn Iron said:

Indeed. The bloke who invented it, iirc, wanted to call it The Hobby but when patenting/copyrighting it was told he couldn't use that name. The Latin name for Hobby (as in the bird) is .....Subbuteo. He then suggested this name and got the rights. Clever bloke!

This is true. Peter Adolph the inventor ( stole the idea of the game from Newfooty which was around way before WW2. It's a blatant rip off. Adolph was the better businessman so Subbuteo succeeded over Newfooty.

Adolph was also an ornithologist, hence the Hobby Falcon connection. If you notice, the Subbuteo logo has a Falcons head over a football.

Pretty much all the history and what there is to collect can be found on this website. Be warned though...there are hours of rabbit holes to go down.

http://www.peter-upton.co.uk/sub1.htm

8 hours ago, The Constant Rabbit said:

Genuine question.

Don't remember ever playing but like to do something with grandkids.

 

What would I need to get started?

Seems to be lots  of games on ebay Australia - but all incomplete.

I'd need the game plus...?

Can people post accessories that they used?

I've seen a scoreboard and a TV tower so far plus heaps of different teams.

Anything else?

 

If anyone has a complete game and extras - looking to  buy I guess. Shipping to Australia (which I will pay obviously) - been thinking of stuff to do with the little 'uns.

This could be it!

 

 

Just go on eBay mate. There are thousands of items for sale. Buy a box set. Two teams, pitch, balls, goals...that's all you need to have some fun. Then if they get hooked you can add more. Tbh...the accessories are great for collecting as are the different teams, but when playing the accessories just get in the way.

 

[Oh Louie louie]

Not a wind up but the guy who ran the supporters club bar for many years his son respented England at subbuteo recall him being in the evening post weird thing was his surname was flicker 

[Never to the dark side]

If your going to watch the news item its available on i-player for TWENTY FOURS ONLY

Don't shoot the messenger

[spudski]

10 minutes ago, Oh Louie louie said:

Not a wind up but the guy who ran the supporters club bar for many years his son respented England at subbuteo recall him being in the evening post weird thing was his surname was flicker 

There is presently a father and son who are both City fans and attend regularly, who represent England at 'Subbuteo'. 

What they actually play is sports table football, which is very similar to Subbuteo but not, if you get my drift. In the same way Billiards is to Snooker.

Subbuteo is all about escapism, collecting, building stadiums if you like, playing with your mates, having banter and a few beers. Lots of imagination whilst trying figuratively speaking to replicate a football match on a table. It's something to do whilst socialising with mates with perhaps a BBQ thrown in as well. Just fun.

Sports table football ( which associates itself with Subbuteo) is far removed from the former. Basically it's just posh push h'penny. Mainly Middle aged blokes wearing sports clothing to play Subbuteo best not to judge Subbuteo on this side of the game, as imo...it's a bit sad. There are actual people that consider it a sport and even wanted it considered for the Olympics taken wayyyyyy too seriously.

It's a past time, a hobby, something to do with mates or the kids. Not imo...a sport

[Robbored]

I loved Subbuteo as a kid and like others played regularly with mates after school. I remember using a fine felt tip pen to carefully write the numbers on the back of the players - bit sad but I enjoyed doing it!

[cidered abroad]

1 hour ago, Oh Louie louie said:

Not a wind up but the guy who ran the supporters club bar for many years his son respented England at subbuteo recall him being in the evening post weird thing was his surname was flicker 

Rob Flicker was the father. I met him first en route by train to Scunthorpe for first match of 1959-60 season. 

[Davefevs]

2 hours ago, Oh Louie louie said:

Not a wind up but the guy who ran the supporters club bar for many years his son respented England at subbuteo recall him being in the evening post weird thing was his surname was flicker 

True!

Also, the old Bishop Sutton GK Darren Clarke played subbuteo for England too.  Story was he had his fingers insured.  Must’ve been a high premium unless he didn’t declare he played in goal too!

[spudski]

26 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

True!

Also, the old Bishop Sutton GK Darren Clarke played subbuteo for England too.  Story was he had his fingers insured.  Must’ve been a high premium unless he didn’t declare he played in goal too!

Not sure about the insured fingers but I know some have.

A few Bristol connections, and one of the lads mentioned still plays for England. Again it's ' sports table football'...even though it's associated with Subbuteo. 

The 'Politics' in 'Subbuteo' is mental. So many different codes and fractions. 

Sad tbh...because it puts many off playing again. 

http://subbuteoassociation.co.uk/articles/161/Player-Profile--Darren-Clark 

Also just watched the BBC points west article. Father and son both City fans. Great that they've bonded as father and son and enjoying playing the 'game' and getting to travel and enjoy other countries, experiences etc.

Whatever bonds you as family has got to be good.

 

 

Edited September 21, 2022 by spudski

[Barrs Court Red]

Bought my boy a set at Christmas…which led to me getting all the stuff I used to have put my parents loft.  It’d been so long, if forgotten how much I had.

Then I went on eBay and got more.  
 

9 months later, the kids aren’t really interested but every so often some mates come over, we stick the football on and play subbuteo while having some beers. 
 

 

[archie andrews]

Preferred super striker meself..... 

[Rob]

I was trying to remember the name of super striker game, thanks for that.  One thing I remember if you hit the head too hard too many times it would snap off and you'd he left with a headless footballer.

Edited September 21, 2022 by Rob

[Davefevs]

2 minutes ago, Rob said:

I was trying to remember the name of super striker game, thanks for that.  One thing I remember if you hit the head too hard too many times it would snap off and you'd he left with a headless footballer.

Diving goalies (prone to diving too slowly), or swivel arm goalies (very prone to throwing it in your own net)”

[Northern Red]

All the stuff we had is still in my parents' garage, although I don't know if there are any completely intact teams, and the FA Cup is definitely missing one of its handles and the top of the lid.

 

[spudski]

23 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

All the stuff we had is still in my parents' garage, although I don't know if there are any completely intact teams, and the FA Cup is definitely missing one of its handles and the top of the lid.

 

It's worth checking what you have. Some collectors pay silly money for less common teams.

This team went for just over £1100 in July. A friend of mine bought it.

I tell him every time I see him that he's got more money than sense :laugh: 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125402297456?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=Jy16ppz6QGq&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=c-tt8z5WRDe&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[Mad Cyril]

I still have my boxed astropitch (rolled not folded) plus a wide array of boxed teams. My fav is Coventry city circa 1977, the one with the hand painted braces now recreated in this season's kit.

The striker is a bit heavy - a large transplant of super glue following a near career-ending injury, smashing into the kitchen wall from a penalty follow through....

[downendcity]

5 hours ago, spudski said:

This is true. Peter Adolph the inventor ( stole the idea of the game from Newfooty which was around way before WW2. It's a blatant rip off. Adolph was the better businessman so Subbuteo succeeded over Newfooty.

Adolph was also an ornithologist, hence the Hobby Falcon connection. If you notice, the Subbuteo logo has a Falcons head over a football.

Pretty much all the history and what there is to collect can be found on this website. Be warned though...there are hours of rabbit holes to go down.

http://www.peter-upton.co.uk/sub1.htm

Just go on eBay mate. There are thousands of items for sale. Buy a box set. Two teams, pitch, balls, goals...that's all you need to have some fun. Then if they get hooked you can add more. Tbh...the accessories are great for collecting as are the different teams, but when playing the accessories just get in the way.

 

Used to have Subbuteo late 60s and lads from school around Downend had a league going.

Fast forward to 1980 when I covered the Tunbridge Wells area for work. Went to meet a business connection in a little place called Langton Green and came across the place where Peter Adolph started Subbuteo.

Recollection is hazy but I think there was a big green hut/shed which was where it all began.

[Red-Robbo]

I was the only one in the gang who used to have Subbuteo cricket - with its giant bat, miniature slide to "bowl" and stationary fielders. Much like myself, whenever I was put in field at school.

Also, Subbuteo rugby, with its giant rugby ball shaped device for deciding where the ball came out of a scrum. 

[BigAl&Toby]

I used to play with my brother. Always remember the pitch going up in the air when one of us lost.

And we had the floodlights…..

[Oh Louie louie]

Bob flick rip another person who was the fabric of the club.

[Sheltons Army]

1 hour ago, Red-Robbo said:

I was the only one in the gang who used to have Subbuteo cricket - with its giant bat, miniature slide to "bowl" and stationary fielders. Much like myself, whenever I was put in field at school.

Also, Subbuteo rugby, with its giant rugby ball shaped device for deciding where the ball came out of a scrum. 

Subbuteo Cricket was a copy / versionof the Balyana cricket game which was beautifully made (I think mine is in the loft ) and IIRC emanated from a game made by prisoners in WWII

Edited September 21, 2022 by Sheltons Army

[Red-Robbo]

4 minutes ago, Sheltons Army said:

Subbuteo Cricket was a copy / versionof the Balyana cricket game which was beautifully made (I think mine is in the loft ) and IIRC emanated from a game made by prisoners in WWII

 

Great knowledge there, SA. 

Wish I still had some of my old childhood games. 

[old_eastender]

5 hours ago, archie andrews said:

Preferred super striker meself..... 

Me too, genuinely different players kicked the ball in different ways when your pressed their heads (by accident I'm sure), but I had one that did a perfect chip into the goal from any side angle - he was "Jimmy Mann" in my City side! The Rovers team was made up of the worst kickers I could find.

Still got the game and about a dozen teams in the loft somewhere! 

[swanker]

I’ve still got my five a side court and about 10 teams. Mrs always threatening to throw them out!

[Davefevs]

2 hours ago, Sheltons Army said:

Subbuteo Cricket was a copy / versionof the Balyana cricket game which was beautifully made (I think mine is in the loft ) and IIRC emanated from a game made by prisoners in WWII

I had the football and cricket, my cousin had the rugby.  
 

For cricket we played on our snooker table, so that the little red ball stayed within reach most of the time.  If you angled the bowlers triangle to one side you could bowl spin.

For rugby you could put the ball into the scrum machine at an angle so you always win the scrum!

[archie andrews]

7 hours ago, Rob said:

I was trying to remember the name of super striker game, thanks for that.  One thing I remember if you hit the head too hard too many times it would snap off and you'd he left with a headless footballer.

before that was plain old striker......

[spudski]

5 hours ago, downendcity said:

Used to have Subbuteo late 60s and lads from school around Downend had a league going.

Fast forward to 1980 when I covered the Tunbridge Wells area for work. Went to meet a business connection in a little place called Langton Green and came across the place where Peter Adolph started Subbuteo.

Recollection is hazy but I think there was a big green hut/shed which was where it all began.

That's fantastic. There's a blue plaque there now showing where it started.

Tunbridge Wells housewives were the people that painted Subbuteo. Thousands of figures laid out in living room tables. Van turned up, dropped off figures, then picked them up later. So village

[archie andrews]

2 hours ago, Sheltons Army said:

Subbuteo Cricket was a copy / versionof the Balyana cricket game which was beautifully made (I think mine is in the loft ) and IIRC emanated from a game made by prisoners in WWII

test match was a good one too big shoot for the bowler and if the ball went between the feet of the fielders that meant a catch...

[Med/MadHatter]

We had a league going at school where we would go to eachothers houses to play, my Dad glued my pitch onto a sheet of plywood which made altered the nap of the pitch and made the ball run faster, a bit like early astroturf :laugh:, unfortunately the plywood also warped from corner to corner so the pitched sloped too, giving me and my brother an advantage over the visitors as we knew how to play on the sloping pitch :laugh:, a bit like the old Yeovil ground!

[LondonBristolian]

I had the same thing with my Subbuteo as I had with my model trainset where I loved the idea of it and loved excitedly setting it up with my Dad on the dining table but it always seemed to take so long to set up that I was always losing interest by the time we started to actually play!

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

Loved subutteo as a lad. Had lots of teams including Dukla Praha (although sadly not the away kit). 

[GreedyHarry]

3 hours ago, Davefevs said:

I had the football and cricket, my cousin had the rugby.  
 

For cricket we played on our snooker table, so that the little red ball stayed within reach most of the time.  If you angled the bowlers triangle to one side you could bowl spin.

For rugby you could put the ball into the scrum machine at an angle so you always win the scrum!

Sounds like it must have been the rugby league version.

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

I had the cricket. Great game. I remember once claiming a stumping when my opponent missed the ball which rebounded off my keeper back on to the stumps. The rugby (presumably early) version I had was poor as it was just a lot of discs and no model players. I also had the Subutteo Angling board game, and I really enjoyed that. 

[hantsred]

I didn't have subbuteo but had a version of a football game...dont know what the game was called (and dont think it was the super striker game mentioned above) where you would pull back the spring loaded leg of the player and get some pretty good kicks. Any ideas? All I remember is that if you tried to get too much out of the spring leg it would pop out the hip socket. I remember always gluing players back together as well.

[Red7]

11 hours ago, RoystonFoote'snephew said:

Loved subutteo as a lad. Had lots of teams including Dukla Praha (although sadly not the away kit). 

I had a few teams, too. My favourite was the Peru kit in white with the red diagonal stripe.

[Oh Louie louie]

Older bloke who used to drive us to games used to get us playing pub cricket the rules seemed to differ but for how many legs there was in the pubs name you got runs like the dog and duck for example I always seemed to get the bell and go for a duck 

[brady bunch]

wow - thanks for posting and so many happy memories of the late 70's early 80's when i was a lad have come flooding back to me!

I had a odd up bring as a kid being born into the Plymouth brethren (odd christian church/cult that was big in Bristol), so grow up with no TV, Radio, trips to cinema, basically lots of going to church and not too much fun........ but that did not stop us supporting City (although we were not allowed to go to games!!) playing loads of footy after church in the car park and being allowed games like the mighty Subbuteo......

I remember playing in leagues with other kids in the church and playing hours on my own (as my older brother gave up, due to me being better then him at it!!) the odd thing I found is often I would play two teams against each other and always start the game with a favorite (in those days it was Rochdale, Arsenal, City and West Germany - don't ask me why other then the city!). but somehow occasionally the team I wanted to win lost and I used to get slightly unhappy (the same feeling I had last week when we lost to Norwich!) even though I was playing against myself...... weird but true!

The Half man half biscuit song sums up my childhood!! at least the worst that happened in subbuteo was a uneven playing surface (we glued our pitch to a thick piece of wood my dad got). I still have scaletrix up in the attic that never really worked, back then and certainly not now..........

 

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

1 hour ago, Red7 said:

I had a few teams, too. My favourite was the Peru kit in white with the red diagonal stripe.

I remember that one and had it too. Never quite mastered the Cubillas free kick though. 

[Red-Robbo]

37 minutes ago, brady bunch said:

wow - thanks for posting and so many happy memories of the late 70's early 80's when i was a lad have come flooding back to me!

I had a odd up bring as a kid being born into the Plymouth brethren (odd christian church/cult that was big in Bristol), so grow up with no TV, Radio, trips to cinema, basically lots of going to church and not too much fun........ but that did not stop us supporting City (although we were not allowed to go to games!!) playing loads of footy after church in the car park and being allowed games like the mighty Subbuteo......

I remember playing in leagues with other kids in the church and playing hours on my own (as my older brother gave up, due to me being better then him at it!!) the odd thing I found is often I would play two teams against each other and always start the game with a favorite (in those days it was Rochdale, Arsenal, City and West Germany - don't ask me why other then the city!). but somehow occasionally the team I wanted to win lost and I used to get slightly unhappy (the same feeling I had last week when we lost to Norwich!) even though I was playing against myself...... weird but true!

The Half man half biscuit song sums up my childhood!! at least the worst that happened in subbuteo was a uneven playing surface (we glued our pitch to a thick piece of wood my dad got). I still have scaletrix up in the attic that never really worked, back then and certainly not now..........

 

 

One of the great things about Subbuteo was, if you were into the (perhaps) even more nerdy hobby of wargaming - as I was as an early teen - then you could turn your Subbuteo pitches upside down, drape them over small piles of books and other objects and create a realistic battlefield for your 25mm soldiers to fight it out on.

Of course, once a serious girlfriend came into my life then the Subbuteo and wargaming got swiftly sidelined.  

[downendcity]

54 minutes ago, brady bunch said:

 

The Half man half biscuit song sums up my childhood!! at least the worst that happened in subbuteo was a uneven playing surface (we glued our pitch to a thick piece of wood my dad got). I still have scaletrix up in the attic that never really worked, back then and certainly not now..........

 

The "normal" pitch configuration was to pay it on the carpet, but any sort of pile on the carpet made it pretty naff.

One of my friends market a pitch up on his 1/4 size snooker table and this was the best I played on. The down side was the number of broken limbs when disentangling players from the pockets.

My Dad got a big piece of hardboard and the pitch stuck nicely to the rough side. Unfortunately the hardboard warped when kept behind the radiator so one team had to kick uphil!

[Davefevs]

1 minute ago, downendcity said:

The "normal" pitch configuration was to pay it on the carpet, but any sort of pile on the carpet made it pretty naff.

One of my friends market a pitch up on his 1/4 size snooker table and this was the best I played on. The down side was the number of broken limbs when disentangling players from the pockets.

My Dad got a big piece of hardboard and the pitch stuck nicely to the rough side. Unfortunately the hardboard warped when kept behind the radiator so one team had to kick uphil!

Yep, short pile carpet, smooth it down nicely (my house).  Long pile carpet, like playing on a sponge (mates house, and he was a shover not a flicker).

Kitchen table with clothes pegs to keep it in place made it play like Loftus Road Astroturf.

[spudski]

10 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

One of the great things about Subbuteo was, if you were into the (perhaps) even more nerdy hobby of wargaming - as I was as an early teen - then you could turn your Subbuteo pitches upside down, drape them over small piles of books and other objects and create a realistic battlefield for your 25mm soldiers to fight it out on.

Of course, once a serious girlfriend came into my life then the Subbuteo and wargaming got swiftly sidelined.  

This reminds me of when I converted my Subbuteo 5aside pitch that had thick cardboard surround, into a speedway track

Used the fine dust like stuff that they use for Model Railways for the track. Stuck it down and a little left on top loose. Painted the white inner line and starting gate. 

We used the Britain's model Speedway riders. Which came in all black leathers. We used to paint up different leathers with Matt humbrol paint. Based on actual riders of the time. This was when Bristol Bulldog's raced at Eastville on a Friday night. I used to go every week with Dad and friends. Dad had a friend who worked in the pits, who'd let me in to get all the riders autographs. I digress...

We marked the inside white line in sections and moved the riders with dice throws. Heat leaders would get +1 added to the roll value, middle order riders the value of the dice throw, and reserve riders the roll value less 1. This method gave surprisingly realistic results. We'd meet up after school, have race meetings, keep a programme, rider averages, league table etc. It was brilliant fun. 

Then when you ' bought' a new rider, you'd place plastic rider in meths, strip off paint, and repaint into his new leathers.

The detail we went into was ridiculous.

And as you'd expect we'd do similar with Football Subbuteo leagues. 

On rainy days after school it kept us entertained.

If dry, we'd be out playing footy or having cycle speedway races...street leagues.

All this whilst playing league footy on a weekend for local club,  school team footy and Rugger, and Junior Golf at local club.

I loved my childhood 

Simple times I wish I could do again.

[redysteadygo]

19 minutes ago, spudski said:

This reminds me of when I converted my Subbuteo 5aside pitch that had thick cardboard surround, into a speedway track

Used the fine dust like stuff that they use for Model Railways for the track. Stuck it down and a little left on top loose. Painted the white inner line and starting gate. 

We used the Britain's model Speedway riders. Which came in all black leathers. We used to paint up different leathers with Matt humbrol paint. Based on actual riders of the time. This was when Bristol Bulldog's raced at Eastville on a Friday night. I used to go every week with Dad and friends. Dad had a friend who worked in the pits, who'd let me in to get all the riders autographs. I digress...

We marked the inside white line in sections and moved the riders with dice throws. Heat leaders would get +1 added to the roll value, middle order riders the value of the dice throw, and reserve riders the roll value less 1. This method gave surprisingly realistic results. We'd meet up after school, have race meetings, keep a programme, rider averages, league table etc. It was brilliant fun. 

Then when you ' bought' a new rider, you'd place plastic rider in meths, strip off paint, and repaint into his new leathers.

The detail we went into was ridiculous.

And as you'd expect we'd do similar with Football Subbuteo leagues. 

On rainy days after school it kept us entertained.

If dry, we'd be out playing footy or having cycle speedway races...street leagues.

All this whilst playing league footy on a weekend for local club,  school team footy and Rugger, and Junior Golf at local club.

I loved my childhood 

Simple times I wish I could do again.

Oh for those uncomplicated, joyful days and speedway at Hengrove where my friend now resides on the former track in Long Eaton Drive.

[Davefevs]

50 minutes ago, redysteadygo said:

Oh for those uncomplicated, joyful days and speedway at Hengrove where my friend now resides on the former track in Long Eaton Drive.

Wasn’t that known as the “dog track”…assume because of dog racing?

There was a cycle speedway track off of Cadogan Road, by the “brook”.

[redysteadygo]

2 hours ago, Davefevs said:

Wasn’t that known as the “dog track”…assume because of dog racing?

There was a cycle speedway track off of Cadogan Road, by the “brook”.

Yes, dog track and speedway at Knowle Stadium back in the day.

Airport Lions cycle speedway team rode at the track at Oakdale Road off Cadogan Rd and across the brook from Airport Road hence the team name. One rider's  name maybe familiar to you;  Carlo Mancini?

[Davefevs]

19 minutes ago, redysteadygo said:

Yes, dog track and speedway at Knowle Stadium back in the day.

Airport Lions cycle speedway team rode at the track at Oakdale Road off Cadogan Rd and across the brook from Airport Road hence the team name. One rider's  name maybe familiar to you;  Carlo Mancini?

Yes, played footie against him a fair bit over a few years (versus Broad Plan).

I’m a hengrovian.  Sold my soul and moved north of the river though.