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Peter Upton's

Subbuteo Tribute Website.

The Illustrated Accessories List.

Part 1.1 The A-Z Range.

Set A - Set M

As the accessory list on page five is designed to be a tick list, which can be printed if required, it's been left looking a little dry. The next few pages aim to rectify this situation with illustrations where possible, and descriptions taken from catalogues (in italics). I'll also add a few comments about usefulness, user experiences and my own collection. I've added the dates that items were introduced, and phased out where I've been able to work them out. Don't regard these as gospel though, as I don't have access to every single years catalogue, and sometimes items last longer abroad.

This first two pages contain the A-Z range, produced originally to complement the flat card and plastic figures of the 1940s and '50's. However, some of these items did continue under the old codes until 1977, and the small balls not only survived under the "C" codes, but ended up being "61145" in the Waddington range. This range came prior to my own Subbuteo playing days, so my thanks to everyone who has donated pictures and information for this page. The descriptions come mostly from my catalogues dated 1967-69.
November 2000: An especially big thank you goes to Nigel Hills whose scan of the 1949-50 catalogue has allowed me to include all the sets that had disappeared by 1967. (For the record they are Sets A, B, I, J, K, and L(a) ).

The Accessories.

Set A (first version): The Popular Introductory Assembly Outfit.
Complete in box, with full assembling instructions and rules of play, together with advice on how to spin the figures.

From 1947-49, the first set in the accessory range was the full edition of the game. Called the Assembly edition, it was a real do-it-yourself set. The goals came as flat metal poles, the netting was a paper sheet, and you were given a piece of chalk so you could mark out the pitch on an old army blanket. 

Set A (second version): Basic Accessory Outfit.
Including 2 smaller balls, referee and two linemen, goal holding device, material for keeping the ball in the net, six corner flags, referee whistle, surround apparatus, and score recorder.
Complete in Presentation Box.

By 1953-54 the original Assembly Edition had been joined by the Combination and Super Assembled Editions. This meant that it was no longer appropriate for it to be Set A. It was replaced in the accessory range by a presentation set of the most useful accessories that weren't included in any of the boxed versions of the game. So this did not include goals, the larger balls, or fixture cards (which you would already own with your set), but it did include the goal holders, smaller balls etc. For the record, the accessories included in this set were FF, P, Q, R, T, V, Y and Z (early version). 

Set B: Subscription to the Table Soccer Player's Association.
Badge, Membership Card, and the current issue of the 8-page bulletin which details the names and addresses of members is sent to you.

 

Another accessory from the 1949-50 catalogue, the players association was obviously established very early in Subbuteo's life. It was a real part of Peter Adolph's vision for his game. As an early pamphlet states "it's more than a game - its an organisation. You are now an owner-player, so please take advantage of all the facilities." The subscription remained in the range until 1965, and the cost remained at 2s for the entire period.

This set is now illustrated by some Player's Association items from the 1940s. On the left is a certificate card No 5903/14013. The 5903 is printed on, and the 14013 hand written. Inside this certifies that R Y Stafford is a member, and this is initialed "p.a.a". On the right are issues two and four of the bulletin (Winter 1947/48 and Season 1949/50 respectively). Issue four illustrates the "Silver Cup", which was won by the champion player each season. For the seasons 1947-48 and 1948-49 it was won by Peter Findley of Steyning - a small market town just a few miles from where I live. Thanks to Terry for photographing these papers. The bulletin was basically a copy of all the results and tables sent to the association by the clubs of the time, large or small.

I can now also illustrate the very early Players Association badge, which was also part of the package.

Set BB: Subbuteo Player Badge.
Brightly coloured, enabling you to be recognised as a Subbuteo Table Soccer owner.

This was a late comer to the A-Z range, not arriving until 1962. I'm not sure what the badge looks like, or whether there was more than one version. However, the most likely suspect is the red badge on the left of this picture, which you can see has the words "Subbuteo Player" on it. 

There are various other badges issued after this time, mostly to members of the player's associations (see above). However, the green badge illustrated above was a general issue. It is advertised as part of the Club Edition package in the 1986 catalogue.

Set C: Advanced Table Soccer Booklet.
Fully illustrated with photographs, explaining the best methods of beating your opponent and advanced rules.

This little booklet existed since the 1940s, and went through several different versions. The one shown is the 1967-68 revision. The cover of this states "as applicable to the football game invented by the author", and gives P A Adolph the world copyright. The booklet assumed that the reader had already digested the two booklets provided with the box sets  i.e. the elementary playing instructions and the spin leaflet.

Inside the booklet were a number of sections. Firstly, it explained about forming leagues and registering them with the Table Soccer Players Assn. It advises that a senior league consists of 16 players (usually split into divisions), but that you can form a sectional league with as few as four players. Players should then play at least 20 games per season. Senior leagues got to send one player (the champion usually) to the "All Britain Silver Cup Championship" which was held every year in London. A panel of judges selected an unspecified number of players from the sectional leagues to join them.

Peter Adolph then talks about the game under various headings - "setting out the game", "Propulsion", "Etiquette", "Tactics", and "your team as your favourite club". He also illustrates the correct method for the ground shot, and for raising the ball. The latter method even works for me, although its interesting that in the 1967 version the ground shot is illustrated with a OO scale player and the chip with a flat. Perhaps Mr Adolph had trouble chipping with a h/w like most of us (but even I can chip with a flat).

The item survived on this number until 1973, and then became C116 until finally ceasing in 1981-82, by which time all the rulebooks had been amalgamated. The cover of the revised 1970-71 copy of the book is shown under C116. This 1970s revision has no mention of Peter Adolph or the Players Assn.

Set D: Complete team.
Comprising one press-out cardboard team sheet, 10 bases, one number sheet, one goalkeeper base with wire handle.

Note that this is the first cardboard players. (Flat plastic teams are code "O"). The one illustrated on the left (in a base) is an early cut-out figure, while the others have the thick black border that marks them out as the later press-out variety. The press-out version was available as early as 1949, but the two types probably ran in tandem for a while.

 Set E: Complete base set.
Comprises 10 hemispherical bases and goalkeeper base with wire handle. The...bases are coloured red, royal blue, light blue, black, white, old gold, green, tangerine, maroon, yellow, mauve and grey.

These were the small one colour bases in an impressive range of colours. The bases were sold separately because card players would frequently need replacing (due to bent ankles), whereas the bases would last longer. The picture above hopefully shows the small differences in bases of this era. The first base is a 1940s blue, and the aging plastic is seriously breaking down. The 1950s blue base here is also showing signs of age, whereas both red bases seem okay. The second red base has a plain top surface. Usually the bases either display the Subbuteo logo twice or Subbuteo once and R.D.851000. 

The full range of colours mentioned above took a few years assemble. The 1949-50 list had just the first eight colours: red, royal blue, light blue, black, white, old gold, green and tangerine. Maroon and yellow arrive by 1952 (a year before the arrival of teams 27 and 28), although yellow had been available as a goalkeeping base before this. The grey base arrived in 1955 (although there is not much call for it). Mauve was not introduced until 1967, a year before Anderlecht (ref 55) was added to the list

Set F: Two/Three brown panelled balls.
Standard size, best quality. (White or orange panelled available at the same price for those who require them).

This was the standard sized football used in Subbuteo until the 1970s. The medium sized ball that became the norm in the 1980s didn't make its first appearance until set C121 in 1969, but even then the larger sized ball was still the one used in the box sets upto and including the 1981 re-box. 

This set itself started in the 1940s as a two ball set (for a shilling). These early balls are obviously an different type of plastic than the later ones, and have a rather odd feel. The colour of the plastic on the standard brown ball seems to range from very dark to a light leathery version, and a stitching detail appears on some 1950s balls. 

The set lasted under this number until 1977, when it changed to C144. This set in turn survived until 1983. The balls from the 1960s and 1970s are a thick sturdy plastic, but they seem to get thinner and more prone to breaking in later years. The final versions have three panels rather than two and are illustrated under C144.

Set FF: Two/Three small balls.
In brown, white and orange.

The small balls arrived in the catalogue in 1952, along with the small goals (Set NN), both introduced for the experienced player. Certainly, a smaller ball makes things more difficult, both in hitting the ball, and in trying to save shots... but mastering the angles to affect direction, and chipping the ball are not exactly easy even with the larger balls. I can't imagine too many players needing the extra challenge. 

Like Set F, this item was composed of only two balls in the 1950s. However, here the two ball version lasts much longer with the 1965-66 catalogue still showing this as a two ball set. It finally became a three balls version by April 1967. I think the ball may have originally been available only in brown. A couple of years ago, I was under the impression that this remained the most common colour for this ball - but I've seen a number of white and orange ones since then, so I'm not so sure.

Like Set F, these balls last on this number until 1977. They then become C145, and survive on this new number long enough to become 61145 in 1983-84, before finally disappear around 1986

I've also included a picture here to illustrate the different sizes of Subbuteo ball available. The standard continental ball size (introduced with C121 in 1969) is on the left, Set FF is in the middle, and Set F is in the right. 

Set G: Two press-out cardboard team sheets. One number sheet.
In colour chart references 1-50 only.

Card team sheets were so cheap that you were given two in this set. Good huh? The sheets originally needed to be cut out with scissors, but became press-out in the early 1950s. The press out teams had a black border around the players (shown very clearly in the scan), and several players have expressed a dislike of this to me. However press-out teams were vital to cut down on the risk of bending the players.

The number sheets were "lick-and-stick" adhesive paper with numbers and player positions to place on players backs and bases. Of course the positions are very 1950s (I.R. = inside right).

Set H: One special goalkeeper sheet.
Containing four figures in green and yellow jerseys with long sleeves and polo collars.

This was the card goalkeepers on a flat sheet. The figure in the middle of the illustration is a cut-out, and the other two are press out figures. The team sheet illustrated for set G shows that you did get a goalkeeper when you bought a set. However, I guess lots of spares would be needed, because card goalkeepers only have a short life. Once they have bent at the ankles they are next to useless. However, you could give them a bit longer by strengthening the back of the ankles with a matchstick. 

Set HH: Set of plastic goalkeepers.
Comprising one figure in crimson sweater and base, one in grey sweater and base.

The two goalkeepers that came in the 1950s box sets and teams wore green and yellow, so I'm not sure why Subbuteo chose these colours for the spares. Still, I guess they made a nice change. It's also a nice use for the grey base. It's worth noting that these goalkeepers were sold with bases, whereas the card sheet was not. (Therefore the card sheet cost 7d in the 1950s, while celluloid goalies were 1s 2d). Regular website visitors will be pleased to see the correct colour goalkeepers now being illustrated.

Set I: Real Netting
for fixing to both goals, together with white adhesive tape for covering posts etc, and full instructions for assembling.

The very first Subbuteo goals had card nets, but real netting had arrived by 1949. This set was just the two pieces of netting, to allow you to update the older goals. The deluxe metal goals have white acetate covering the posts/crossbar, and I guess the tape in this set duplicated that effect. The illustrated bagged set actually has the tubes.

Set J: Two Goal Frames
...with crossbars.

A helpful description there - I guess because the cross bars are separate pieces on these early self-assembly goals. These are the basic goals from the first ever sets. I guess you could make your own paper nets or buy Set I.

Set JJ: Ball-raising chute.
This enables the ball to be sent right up in the air for corner kicks, goal-kicks and throw ins.

     

Thanks to Nigel Hills who heard my plea for one of these to test drive! As the picture shows, this was quite a large item, and had a 45 degree slope. When you first use it, you think it's going to be too steep, but in fact, it does deliver a decent corner, goal kick, or floated free kick. Add realism to your Wimbledon team! The main problem is that the player tends to follow the same flight path. It survived in the range for almost twenty years, but by then both the indented corner flags (C117) and  large corner kickers (C131) had removed the need for it. Of the items in the A-Z range that lasted until 1976, this was the only one which missed out on a "C" number. This might be because the remaining chutes found a different form of work. See the Terracing Set for details....

The common version of this set is the late version shown, that is a mid-green with Subbuteo embossed on the under side. However, I have also seen earlier versions in both transparent and very dark green plastic (in the plain card box of the 1950s).

Set K: Green Baize Cloth.
for converting into a Playing Pitch 54ins X 36ins

This was simply a normal playing pitch without the markings. So grab the chalk from the original box set and get drawing.... This item cost 13s 6d in 1949, compared with 18s 4d for the proper marked out pitch. Good for people on a budget, who didn't have an old army blanket kicking around.  

Set L (a): Referee and Linesmen Sheet.
together with three black hemispherical bases.

This is one of the few Subbuteo numbers which get reused for a completely different set. The original Set L (note the "a" is my numbering, not theirs) was a card sheet containing a referee and two linesman, plus three black bases. As with the teams, the celluloid refs followed hot on the heels of this set, being in the range by 1949. 

Set L (b): Logbook
(first version)
for keeping accurate league tables and all information concerning your leagues.

The original 1950s logbook was a simple affair costing 1s 3d. With all the statistics generated by kids, Subbuteo was onto a winner with this set. Mind you, if they had sold more of these books, perhaps there wouldn't be so many Subbuteo sets with scores written inside the box lid.

(Second version - Super logbook.)
A vital booklet for your records and reference. Thirty pages of Soccer features and facts, in a handsome embossed wallet cover.

This was a much more showy affair (although maybe not as showy as the glowing catalogue description above suggests). The small picture here doesn't do it justice - the cover is surprisingly large, and rather attractive, in dark green with gold lettering. Inside was a more simple book (as shown below) that gave plenty of room for match scores, as well as a few pages of football titbits (which were frequently updated). Thanks to Joe Butt for the scan of this item. 

Set LX: Replacement logbook.

This was simply a refill for the wallet of Set L, and was introduced at the same time for 2s 11d. It managed to outlive the cover. After changing to C147 it gets a final mention (and illustration) in the 1978 Subbuteo catalogue.

This book was produced in at least two different covers - and a second version can be seen at C147.

Set LL: Two spare goalkeepers.
 Can be utilised for goal-kicks and for playing the advanced rules. Saves taking goalkeepers off wire handle.

The flat version of C106. Introduced in 1958,  I'm not sure why it doubles up the "L" number, as it has nothing in common with the logbook, but like Set JJ it was introduced as the number range was getting tight for space.

The description is not much different that set HH, and both were the same price (1s 3d). So I had long assumed these figures were just standard goalkeepers. In fact they were shown in action pose (although the plastic is the usual shape). As both goalie and base are the same as an outfield player in a celluloid team, this item was far from essential. Still, they look pretty good.

Set M: Green baize playing-pitch cloth.
 ...of a superior quality, whipped at the edges and imprinted with the field of play... This marked-out playing pitch is a very handsome article. A new type of cloth, the result of much research.

     

No modesty there then :-) Actually, in my view the 1960s pitches that I own (circa 1970) are of a much better quality than the later ones. These are a thicker, stiffer material, and you can't see the pitch markings from the other side. An added advantage to this was that you could  pile some books on the floor, throw the cloth over them, and hey presto - a hill for wargaming. What do you mean you don't wargame?

Not surprisingly for a set sold throughout Subbuteo's history, different variations exist - both in texture/colour of cloth, and in the logos around the edge, but I'll leave those details to another time I think. The set remains on this number until 1973, when it fills the vacant C109 slot in the continental range.

Due to the fact that I've been sent pictures for nearly all of this early range, I've felt the need to split it over two pages. Follow the link for accessories N-Z

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