Manchester Subbuteo Club: the enthusiasts who reckon tabletop football is more fun than FIFA

2022 feels like the year where we can start to get out and socialise again. After almost two years of the pandemic and lockdowns, we can once again get out and about.

If you are looking for something new to do this year, or maybe want to find a new way of finding your football fix, why not invest your time in the classic tabletop football game, Subbuteo?

Danny Lilley is part of Manchester Subbuteo Club. He told ManchesterWorld how the club has grown in the 12 years since it was formed.

“We started in 2010 and was a reborn of the old Manchester Subbuteo Club from the 80’s and 90’s,” Danny said.

Running the group takes a lot of promoting everywhere they can. He says: “Just consistent advertising and promotion, we only have a small group of players (around 10) but we are really pushing for new members in 2022 onwards.”

The club is set to be part of an exciting partnership, as Danny added: “Our current venue is Tunshill Golf Club which is in Greater Manchester but we also have just set up a partnership with The National Football Museum to do monthly Subbuteo Sessions to grow the game and club hopefully.

The main aims of the group were outlined by Danny.

These are: “To have fun playing and play for free, the game is still very niche. We have had good teams of player in the past and hopefully we can compete again on a European level one day.

The coronavirus pandemic had a positive impact on getting people to play Subbuteo, according to Danny.

He said: “The pandemic certainly has helped the game and long may it continue.

“[The impact of the pandemic] was very hit and miss, Subbuteo can be played solo too so there was a lot more training involved instead of competitive one vs one action.”

Danny offered a few words for anyone who was thinking of trying out the game.

“Scoring a goal in Subbuteo is 10 times more exciting then scoring on FIFA (the computer game), it’s affordable and lots of fun. Skill is also required if you want to take your game to the competitive level.”

It is easy to get involved with the club, as Danny gave details for their website: “They can visit our website or contact us via social media - We offer free 1 on 1 coaching and taster sessions.

“We have a monthly league which has ranking points, this is played on the last Friday of the month normally.”