The beautiful game can take many shapes and forms

A love of football begins as soon as one’s legs are strong enough to chase the ball. As a child, or even an adult, when not obsessing in the back garden one can be found living out fantasies in the lounge or on a gaming console.

Before the modern electronic forms of the game evolved to occupy players across the globe, a miniature version was the staple alternative of the beautiful game. Subbuteo, or table soccer, mimics the life-size version perfectly with its fast-paced play, structured tactics and precision execution of footballing fundamentals.

Players use their fingers to push their figures around the felt table top in what closely resembles a mix between turn-based snooker and fingerboard, but with constantly moving pieces. Much like the real thing, teams need to maintain shape, treasure, possession, pass accurately and shoot with purpose or risk being on the receiving end of some heavy defeats.

Ruimsig-based Education Through Soccer (ETS) recently formed its own Subbuteo club to join stalwarts, Johannesburg Eagles, in growing the surprisingly exhausting game. Eagles already boast some of the best players in the country, including reigning South African champion, Clifford Graaff.

The game has global appeal and along with Clifford, ETS’ Jason Kennedy and four other players from surrounding clubs were due to represent South Africa at the World Club Champs in Rome this year. That tournament, along with this year’s SA Champs have been rescheduled and will take place in early 2021.

Recent action saw an exhibition tournament at Eagle’s home, Randburg Football Club. Roodepoort veteran Sean Morgan beat future star Liam Chapman 2–0 in the final, with Jason Kennedy claiming bronze. Dating back to the 1940s, Subbuteo is more than a board game as it captures a football fan’s infinite passion for their first love.