Subbuteo at the SVP Community Supporteo Hub

19/09/21
Other events

Westcliff SVP

Westcliff SVP was created in 2000, and has been involved in supporting homeless people through the Winter Night Shelter and many vulnerable people within the community who need a hand with bills, food parcels, necessities, emotional / spiritual support and other services

In the Summer of 2021, as lockdown restrictions were eased, the Friends of Old Subbuteo were asked to hold a Subbuteo event at their Community Support Hub. The Friends of Old Subbuteo don't need a second invite to arrange a local Subbuteo event, so it was game on!

The event

This was either the first time anyone had played Subbuteo, or the first time for at least a couple of decades!

With two tables set up, there was a chance for anyone to have a go, and with a barbecue being prepared and served by our host and event organiser Daniel, there was a relaxed atmosphere for folks to eat, chat and play, as they wished.

In the end, 5 games were played, some lasting around 20 minutes with others played for nearly an hour! For some (especially Lee), once the playing got started, it wasn't very easy to stop! ? The game with Elliot was a bit of a marathon, and eventually needed settling with an epic shootout.

The games

Lee 2 v 2 Steve (Lee won 1-0 on shots)

Chris 1 v 0 Alex

Steve 1 v 0 Jimmy

Lee 0 v 0 Elliot (Lee won 4-2 on shots)

Graham ? v ? Russell

The result of the game between Graham and Russell is unrecorded. It might go down as a mythical Subbuteo incident - a mystery never to be solved(!) ? ...or, it might be we find this out at the next event!

The action...

Steve on the attack and shoots! In the background Graham and Russell are playing that mythical mystery Subbuteo match
Steve has clearly missed the target , as Lee is taking a goal kick. In the background, is a goal being scored in the mystery match?
Chris and Alex in the foreground, with Lee and Elliot drawing what is to date, a record crowd attendance for a game of Subbuteo at Westcliff SVP!
Half way through their epic encounter, Lee fends off an Elliot attack. Elliot plays in a thoughtful, yet casual style. Lee is more your 'all-action' type of player!
Elliot lines up for a shot on goal...
Lee being goalie while eating cake!
Elliot is more of an Orangina goalie!
The shootout... Elliot blasts this one wide! ?
Lee chips into the roof of the net - first time he's played? ?

Next event is planned for October 2021... watch this space! ?

October 2021

The event

The second event at Westcliff SVP saw several closely contested games, which adopted a variety of formats. Singles, doubles and games purely consisting of shoot-outs were held, to give all a chance to get involved in a way that suited them.

Also, Russell was there, which gave the opportunity to explore what happened in that mythical unrecorded match in the Summer. Apparently both he and Graham had played Subbuteo as teenagers, but with the decades since had forgotten the rules and most of the skills(!). This didn't deter them from playing a game where the rules were agreed on as the game progressed. Russell magnanimously admitted to winning the tight affair 1-0, attributing the victory to a healthy slice of good fortune.

The games

Steve 1 v 1 Chris

Russell 2 v 2 Steve

Catherine 1 v 0 Steve (Shots)

Russell 0 v 3 Nate (Shots)

Nate 4 - 3 Russell (Shots)

Nate 2 - 1 Chris

Nate/Steve 1 - 0 Chris/Russell

Some action between Steve and Russell, with the corner-kicker also being used for goalie drop-kicks ?
Steve equalised to make it 2-2 with Russell, who confirms the ball crossed the line (no need for VAR!)
Russell was about to take part in a shoot-out with Nate. Nate had never flicked a Subbuteo player before, so Russell was adopting a relaxed manner...maybe too relaxed! ?
Nate, as it turned out, was a natural - with a smooth action and accuracy. This was a surprise to Nate, who was amazed as he won the first shoot-out 3-0. It was also a surprise to Russell! ?
The shoot-out rematch. Russell (Spurs fan) missed his first two shots, but nets the third shot against Nate (Arsenal fan)
A relaxed interpretation of the shooting rules, sees Nate allowed to have another go, which was duly buried!
It's getting competitive now, as Nate blasts wide...
The winning shot - Arsenal 4 Spurs 3.
Chris is through on goal, trying to come back from 2-0 down against Nate, who is having none of it...
What proved to be a consolation goal by Chris. Arguably a tad offside, but the ref was too busy filming! ?
Nate, using the 'France 98' throw-in figure.
Chris about to score that controversially offside goal!
The aftermath of Russell's first shoot-out attempt, after his 5 yard run-up from the other side of the room! ?

Nate at the top of the table - Never played before today! Catherine also flicked for the first time, with a 100% record!

July 2022

The event

A relaxed affair saw a mixture of activity, with some singles and doubles matches mixed with some penalty shoot-outs.

The shootouts are proving to be a great way for folks to get involved - not needing to commit to a full match, and still able to have a flick-to-kick experience! ?

Peter, Alex, Chris and Steve shared a few games, then Jamie and Catherine joined in with some penalty shoot-out action...

Catherine kept up her 100% goal-scoring feats. To date, every shot she has ever taken in her life has finished up in the back of the net! ? (2 out of 2!)

The games

Steve 1 v 0 Peter

Chris 1 - 1 Alex

Steve/Chris 1 - 1 Alex/Peter

Shootout goals...

Jamie wins with 2, Alex, Catherine, Steve and Chris manage to net 1, Peter was foiled by the keeper and then hit the post!

Alex scored her first goal - from a corner, but the cameraman was too slow to get it. ? So we replayed it! ?
Chris equalising - He tried not to look too pleased, but we can plainly see he failed miserably! ?
A game of doubles, between Steve & Chris with Alex & Peter. Steve taking the throw-in, and Chris getting ready to shoot 'on-the-fly'! Peter was bamboozled by the last shot from Chris and promptly scored an own goal with the keeper! ??

The result of some shoot-out practice on the other table!
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