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Catalogues and Price Lists

Page 3: Waddingtons to Hasbro 1969-96

This page covers the British catalogues and posters issued by Subbuteo Sports Games from 1969 onwards.

This superb twenty-four page catalogue was undated, but can be pinned down to 1969, as team numbers had reached reference 55 and the Continental range reached C126, with several items shown as "new". The training sets were "stop press" and the rugby set was also squeezed in towards the back, although no teams or accessories were mentioned for it. The catalogue was clearly designed to be used over several years, and was included in box sets of the period. It is, perhaps, a sign of the more slick advertising used by Waddingtons.

1969-72 The Combined Price Lists.

1969-70

1970-71

1971-72

1972-73

In these catalogues, the full Sports Games range starts to take shape within a single catalogue, with the cricket accessories arriving in 1969-70 and rugby joining the party in 1970-71. The 1970-71 catalogue had gained extra colours, but was still called a "price list". 1971-72 finally had a full colour cover, and was now called a catalogue, but it was still essentially a price list. 1972-73 was the first year that accessories were illustrated, and where the price list was split out from the catalogue. For this year only, the team listing was on the price list, not in the catalogue.

1969-70: This list was, in some ways, a step back, as the illustration and extra colours from 1968-69 had gone, and the paper was less glossy. The new style made room for the cricket range and an order form (both previously had their own sheets). The fold-outs were wider than the 1960s norm. The football accessory range saw a big leap forward. The Continental range reached C126 (making ten new items) and Sets L and Z were updated in the older range. The teams raced on to 61 (an unnamed red/yellow striped team). The 1966 World Cup teams were still listed, and ref 46 now had amber shorts.
1970-71: This year was an even bigger fold out list, with an extra fold bringing sixteen pages. The order forms were still incorporated, and the rugby teams and accessories joined the mix. The team range moved on to 75, and the named teams were now those at the Mexico World Cup (1970). Ref 26 suddenly had blue shorts, 32 had black shorts, and ref 47 had tangerine shirts. None of these changes survived the arrival of illustrated teams in 1973. Tangerine reference 47s are quite common, but the other two might be errors, and I'm not sure either were produced. The continental accessory range made it to C127, but lost C115 and C116. The old range lost Sets T and Y. The green version of C108 was introduced (as were the different coloured rugby and cricket versions). In the box sets, the new World Cup Edition became the biggest set thus far (at 158/). Fivesides was still available, and Angling was introduced (cost was 49/11d). The track-suited teams swapped from light and dark blue to red and yellow, although the earlier colours were still available "while stocks last". And last they certainly did.
1971-72: Although the first one to be called a catalogue, and despite the full colour cover, this was still just a price list. It is the first catalogue in decimal currency (the catalogue cost 2p, and the other extreme was the World Cup Edition at £7.90), and technically the last, as the prices move onto a separate price list sheet the following year. A "Stop Press" feature took the team list to 81, and featured the only catalogue appearance of the original version of 79 (with white shorts). It also unveiled the new plastic versions of sets Q1-3. Continental sets reached C129, with the FA Cup and number transfers introduced. The early range lost Set S. The rugby display edition arrived (£1.70 as opposed to £3.90 for the full game). An even bigger arrival was Football Express, which had a two page colour spread, and at £4.20 was priced between club and floodlighting editions.
1972-73: Whilst the same dimensions as the previous year, this was the first real illustrated catalogue, showing a number of the continental accessories (team colours had to wait a further year). The price list was separate from the catalogue for the first time, and the team chart moved to the price list for the only time. Team colours reached 106, and the 1970 World Cup teams made their final appearance as named sides (they joined the team list proper the following year). The Continental range reached C133, and C112 disappeared. In the old range, sets D, G, H, HH, P, and R had all vanished. No new sets appeared, and the combination outfit and cricket display edition had been dropped.

1973/74-1977 Posters.

1973-74

1974-75

1975-76

1977

You've reached the first series of poster/catalogues. This was the key change for Subbuteo from "price list" to colour catalogue. By 1973-74 the catalogues folded out so that one side was in colour illustrating the team range and some selected accessories, whilst the other side still followed the existing pattern listing all the teams and accessories available for all the Subbuteo games, including rugby and cricket. From 1972-73 the list of prices had moved onto a separate sheet.  I think part of this change was due to the inflation of the 1970s, which meant that Waddingtons could not guarantee that prices would remain the same for the length of a catalogue's life. All these posters were issued with a price list, and these are shown below.

1973-74: So this was the first big illustrated team list/poster. The team lists reached 165, but not all were actually illustrated (about 90% were). The Continental Accessory list reached C135. C130-C135 were described as new, and were all illustrated. The only items left in the A-Z range were F, FF, JJ, L, LX, N, NN, Q, U, V, and W, with sets C, M and Z crossing over to the Continental range for the first time (to become C116, C109, and C115 respectively). Angling disappeared, and so had the rugby display edition, but snooker express was introduced. The big arrival was the Munich World Series Edition, a new top-of-the-range set.
1974-75: The teams reached 190, although they were only illustrated to 176. The Continental accessories moved on slightly to C137, and C126 was dropped, as was Set Q. Among the sets, Targetman was the new arrival.
1975-76: Teams were held at 190, and usefully all were illustrated. The accessories increased by one to C138, and nothing else happened...
1977: As you can see by the cover, the stadium finally appeared in this year. Subbuteo' main address moved to Tonbridge, and the date was only mentioned in the copyright notice. Teams were still held at 190, but the accessory range changed, with new accessories to C143, and then the A-Z range renumbered to C144-C152, with set JJ falling by the wayside. Munich was replaced by the first Stadium edition, and the International edition also disappeared (to return in 1981). Targetman also retired.

Illustrated are the separate retail price lists which were issued from 1972/73 to 1978. The small 1972/73 list goes with the catalogue in the previous section, and has the team listing included. After that, the price lists are a single sheet

The accompanying price list for 1973/74 was green and white and featured the Munich Edition at £9.90. The format repeated for the following season, but there are two alternate versions of the list - a "mauve" looking version with no prices for the box sets, and a blue version where these have been added. Both have the same printer, and both are dated to October 1974. The lists have table soccer details on one side, and both rugby and cricket on the other.

From 1975 the price lists had a single yearly date rather than a seasonal one, and the size was reduced slightly to A5. These two colour lists have a standard format. The football and rugby accessories are listed on the front, while the cricket accessories are on the back, together with an un-priced list of the box sets available. The above photograph shows one list for each year from 1975 to 1978, although I am aware of variations. For example I have a plain red and white version of 1976 (although the date on it is the same April 1976).  I am also aware of two alternative price lists for 1978, one of which has the Jubilee set, and the 1978 World Cup semi-finalists set squeezed in.

Subbuteo World Catalogues 1978-81.

1978

1979

1979 (no date)

1980

1981

These are nice glossy, well illustrated catalogues from the golden period of Subbuteo. Unlike most of the other catalogues on these pages, these were not supplied in sets, but could be bought in your local supplier (10p initially, but 1981 was 20p). This meant they were given an accessory range number (C155) from 1978 to 1981. When I was a kid I owned (and treasured) the 1979 catalogue without the date on the front, so that catalogue always looks normal to me. However, shown next to the dated version, and the blank space looks glaring. Where's the date gone?

1978: The first of the "Subbuteo World" catalogues. A huge leap in teams sees them listed to Iran at 322, although they were only illustrated to 321. The zombie had arrived, and the teams are illustrated with a graphic of this figure rather than actual players. The accessory range reached C154. It was the last appearance for the original Stadium Edition, and for card inserts in the box sets. Last listing too for the ref's whistle (although it was included in C166 the next year), and the brown scoreboard. The rugby team range expanded to 37.
1979: This was the first Subbuteo catalogue I ever owned, aged nine, and mine has long since lost its cover. Team numbers stuck at 322, although a few of the French teams discreetly changed colours. The accessory range was up to C166. These were not shown in order, but I think the ones still available were C100, C101, C102, C104, C106-C111, C113, C117-C119, C121, C123, C127-C135, C137, C139-C145, C147-C148, C153-C154 and C156-C166 which were new. C155 wasn't mentioned, but it was actually the catalogue itself. The cover was printed with and without the date. The players on the front cover were lightweights, and they slowly arrived in the team sets. Oddly, the rugby box switched back to the earlier one in the box illustrations. Top Scorer was introduced. Many of the illustrations were the same as the previous year.
1980: "Into the 80s with Subbuteo" Again, this was similar to the previous catalogues, but at least the pictures changed, and it was an attractive catalogue. There were two pages of "new for 1980" items including Hockey, Rugby Sevens, and accessories to C178. Team numbers increased to 328, and this was the final catalogue to feature every reference number, and therefore blank sides. The accessories have a page listing. C116 returned. C162-164 (the EPNS Cups) do not appear. They were on a price list dated February 79, but sold out on one dated July 79.
1981:
This lovely catalogue was possibly the peak of Subbuteo production (or the excess). Hockey and Sport Billy had full write-ups. Full rugby and cricket accessory and team lists were still included. The team numbers reached 359, then leapt to 501-509, which were teams produced in Italy. 505 was not illustrated, but was mentioned as Argentina No2 in the A-Z team index, causing confusion to this day (the Italian catalogues don't mention it). Subbuteo also started to drop obsolete teams, so the number of teams actually available was 299. Accessories leapt to C188, but lost C111, C113, C135, C137, C147, C157, and C160, as well as C174 and C176 which only appeared in the 1980 catalogue.

1979 and 1980.

Separate price lists continued in the Subbuteo World catalogue period. The 1978 price list followed the standard format and is photographed in the above. As previously mentioned, there were at least two versions of this list, and one featured the rare Jubilee and 1978 World Cup team packs, neither of which made the catalogue. It shows the benefit of having both documents for dating purposes. Perhaps the lack of catalogue space for these team packs explains why they are rare. Or perhaps they were just designed to be limited time releases.

From 1979, the price lists had a much plainer format, featuring the new Falcon logo at the top. Both 1979 and 1980 had all the box sets priced on one side (alongside an application for the Subbuteo Association). On the back were the accessories for all the three usual games. I own two different dated lists for 1979, with prices increased between February and July. The prices were rising steeply throughout in the 1970s, so the price of a C100 team goes 65p (1975), 75p, 95p, £1.15, £1.30 (Feb 1979), £1.45 (July 1979) and £1.60 (1980) over the period. A useful way to check the date of teams that have shop price labels still on the boxes.

For 1981, the price list increased in size to A4. This was the format used through to 1985, and is discussed below.  

Posters 1981-1985.

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

The posters of my youth, these have all spent time on my bedroom wall, and are stuck together with blue-tac and sticky tape. Only 1985 is actually dated, but they fit between the 1981 catalogue, and 1985 with one for each year. Catalogues were produced for trade (i.e. shops), and are a useful addition to these posters. The items supplied to shops reduced in this period, with many of the obscure teams and minor accessories being supplied only on demand direct from SSG. Rugby and cricket teams and accessories were not on the shop list. 1982-83 had a top 100 teams available to shops, and this was then reduced to 75 for 1984 and 1985. The text below highlights the items shown on the posters, but more details of what was on the "shop" list and the "request" list is listed under illustrations of the price lists of the period.

1980 Poster: This was simply an illustrated list of all the teams in the 1980 catalogue. 
1981 Poster:
Same design as the 1980 version, but with the later range of teams.
1982 Poster: Probably the best of the posters, this still had all the box sets and items from the 1981 range wonderfully laid out. Teams numbers reached 394, with 501-509 and 540-560 (the new NASL range). Accessories reached C191 and the Indoor Edition only appeared on this one poster, although it ran until 1984. The other sport editions were also illustrated for a final time, but their accessory ranges were not (nor were they mentioned in the trade catalogue). The trade catalogue only illustrated the top 100 teams, but the full range is on the poster.
1983: The poster moved to a vertical display, and the box sets disappeared. Team numbers reached reference 473, (with 501-509 and 540-560 of course). C201-C203 joined the accessory range, which was still pretty impressive.
1984: This one was a similar design, and saw the arrival of the 61xxx number range for accessories. These reached 61207, but lost C118, C129, C144, C166, C169, C173, C186 and C187. A clean up caused by the re-numbering and re-boxing of the accessories, I suppose. Team numbers had finally caught up to 560, and stood at 567 (with 306 actually available to buy). Shop teams were reduced to a top 75.
1985: A bigger poster, with lovely clear team pictures that showed teams to 613 (319 available). The accessory range was at 61209, but lost both World Cups (61119 & 61182), and the first aid set (61184). The Jules Rimet and the First Aid set were still on a request list though.

1981 1982 1983 1984 1985

As the posters of the period do not feature the box sets, or the other sports, the full range can really only be assessed by looking at the price lists alongside the posters. These lists were usually included in sets, alongside the posters, although not always. 1983 and 1985 seem to be more common. The lists are sometimes printed on white paper and sometimes on green. The 1981 poster was included on the back of a colour flyer featuring the 1982 World Cup range (shown on the Subbuteo flyers page). The 1985 list had an advert for the Subbuteo Association on the back.

9th February 1981: The glorious full range discussed in the Subbuteo World section, with S250 World of Sport (£79.50) topping the range.
9th February 1982: The range on the poster was superficially the same as 1981, but there were key differences when you get to the price list. For the first time, there was an Accessories "request" list. These items were only available on request from the stockist, or direct from Subbuteo. Essentially these were "while stocks last", and no longer part of the official range. For this first year there were twenty items moved over in this spring-clean. These were C106, C117, C118, C119, C134, C144, C153, C156, C159, C161, C166, C170, C173, C177, C179, C185, and C192. Plus three sets making their final appearances - C129 Number transfers, C171 the single floodlight, and C175 European Winners Pack. A number of these make sense (out of date cups, old flags and balls etc)
World of Sport has already gone from the lists, while Sport Billy and Hockey made their final appearances. The cricket sets had been cut to the final Test Match Edition (C310) and the Floodlighting Edition (C330).
7th February 1983: S230 European Edition was new, costing £14.95 and it replaced the official FIFA World Cup set. The league and Indoor Editions still existed. Importantly, the rugby and cricket sets and accessories made their final appearance here. C201-C204 were new (as on the poster). C200 Subbuteo Bag was also shown as new (£3.99), but crucially debuts in the "request" list. This adds to the 17 items remaining from the 1982 list shown above. However, C117, C118, C144, C156 (note, the figures feature elsewhere), and C166 Referees kit make their final bow here. It should be pointed out that the referees kit was still shown in Italian catalogues as late as 1994.
3rd January 1984: This one dropped the word "Limited" from the Sports Games part of the logo (now fully under the Waddingtons umbrella?). The other sports have finally gone. For the last time there was a full seven editions of the football game (Stadium, International, Floodlight, European, Club, League and Indoor). The team range made available to shops dropped to 75. As mentioned in the poster details, the range was renumbered to 61xxx instead of Cxxx. The new accessories this year were just 61206 (squad number stickers) and 61207 European goals. Oddly, 61205 was not listed, and had to wait until the following year (licence issue with Tango?). A couple of items dropped from the shop range (without bothering the request list). These were C148 Standard goals (although kept in the club editions), and C187 (all four packs). Dropping into the request list were 61169 Advertising boards, 61184 First Aid Set, and the 61186 TV Tower Kit. I assume they didn't get 61xxx boxes. This made a request list of 16 items.
1st January 1985: The Football Game subtitle dropped in, acknowledging that the other sports were not returning. The full editions reduced to 60140 Club (£14.95), a new 60240 World Cup set (£19.95), and the large 60115 International Edition (£29.95). Advertised as "new" for 1985 were an odd mix. 61134 Ball Boys, and 61153 the popular goalkeepers with caps were reprieved and returned to the shop range from requests. 61205 Tango balls, and 61208 Outside Broadcast Unit were completely "new". The arrival of 61208 meant that 61110 was dropped. The licensed FIFA trophy and balls (182 and 183) were also lost, along with 61189 Skills Trainer. There were still 13 items on the "request" list, with the two items returned to the shop range, and 61169 Advertising boards having departed altogether.

   

From 1982 to 1985 Subbuteo produced a separate wholesale catalogue for its suppliers to run alongside the posters for consumers, and these are a third source of information for the period. Once again, the range shown was different. These catalogues only illustrate the "top 100" teams (1982 and 83), and then a "top 75" (1984 and 1985), which were the ones offered to UK retail in this period. They don't include the accessories that had gone over to the "request" list. However, they did have a Subbuteo Sales Service page featuring the shop display stands that were available. (I have this covered elsewhere - Shop Displays). They also covered products produced in conjunction with other sports equipment companies Jokari, Harrier and Dunford.

Catalogues 1986-1991.

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

Several catalogues here are undated, but it is obvious where they all fit in the range. The Italia catalogue was essentially the same size as the Subbuteo World catalogues, but all the others were A4. The price lists for this era seem thin on the ground, and are often just a photocopy. They no longer seem to be issued in sets.

1986: A return to catalogues, and this first one was a delight because it was the last outing for the big team range. Team numbers reached 636, and 298 were still available to buy (there were just 169 the next year...). As with 1985, there were only three boxed editions, Club, World Cup, and International.
1987:
Undated catalogue with Barry Venison on the cover. This was the last catalogue to feature the old green stadium. The accessory range was at 61214, and was still fairly large. However, there were now only two box sets, with the International having been dropped. Team colours were at 652 (but only 169 were available). There was also a double page spread for the Club Colours painting range. The only time this appeared. The accessories were shown in the "green logo" boxes.
1988: Another undated catalogue. Much of the layout was the same as the 1987 catalogue, but the new Stadium was now in use, taking the accessories to 61218. The Grandstand Edition had been added, Club Colours dropped, and the number range was up to at 677. The accessories switched to "red logo" boxes.
1989: This one advertised the new Italia '90 stuff, but is pre-World Cup and from 1989. Note the contrast between the stadiums on this cover and 1986. The accessories were still in the red logo boxes, which is why the Italia '90 items are sometimes found in these. The European Goals were replaced by the Italia 90 ones, and the Italia 90 balls replaced the yellow Tangos. The Italia '90 pitch was added, and the 61211 goalkeepers dropped. Team numbers reached 694. The box sets were the same three as the year before, so the 1986 boxed World Cup set (but with an Italia '90 sticker) was the one available.
1990: This is the only catalogue where the teams were not laid out in numerical order. Here they were divided into countries, so there are many repetitions. The country lists were not complete in any case, e.g. a look at Scotland shows that both Airdrie and Hamilton are missing. Some of the missing sides were laid out across the top of the team index pages. The list itself reached 712, with 164 (I think) to purchase. The accessory range was unchanged, and there was a two page spread of Super teams. The Italia '90 box set switched to the 1990s version with flip up lid.
1991: The key thing in this catalogue was the new Floodlights, which arrived in the accessory range at 61222. The Italia pitch was dropped (and the 61220 balls no longer had logos on them). Team numbers were up to 734 (with 166 available). Otherwise, it was as you were.

1987

1988

1990

We reach an era of simplified Price lists, designed for mail order requests. The lists have similar items grouped together (cups, balls etc) rather than having a numerical run.

1987: This one has a few extras to make it interesting. The Club Colours sets (colouring pictures with pens) were given reference numbers (61003-61011) which are not shown in the catalogue. Catalogues could be purchased for 20p, and were still listed under the old Subbuteo World reference 61155. The Sports Bag 61200, and the Advanced rules 61192 were still offered. More interesting (and it backs up what collectors of the time have mentioned), individual players for teams were offered at 20p each. (State team name and reference). The page also states "when ordering teams, please list two alternatives" suggesting that stock was not always kept at Waddingtons HQ.
1988: This looks like a reduced list from the previous year. However, as with the catalogue, only Club Colours the World Cup Squads were gone. The Grandstand Edition was new at £44.95, and this included the new red and blue version of the grandstand which had arrived along with the grey terraces. The Samba balls were the only other arrival. Away from the catalogue range, the Subbuteo bag was still optimistically included, and UKSA membership offered (called a boys' club, and priced at £2.50 annually).
1990: This looks like a much longer list in the illustration, but this is because the Super Teams (64000) are individually named (18 teams £5 each), and seven Italia '90 sides are listed, again at £5. The Italia '90 box set and new accessories have their own section. The set was £30, and the Italia 90 pitch was £10.50. The new Floodlights were listed under their old number (61101), with a TBA price, and an expected arrival date of July 1990. The catalogue was still offered under 61155. Perhaps that only changed when the posters were issued.

Posters 1992-1996

1992 Front

1992 Back

1993

1994 1995 1996

There does not appear to be a 1997 poster, and this is where the full range fades out. I provided the 1992 poster, Eddie Lang sent me 1993, Jon Shelley scanned 1994, Dimitrios Philippides photocopied 1995, and Stan Russell sent me 1996. Subbuteo fandom at work :-)

1992: A double sided poster with the range much as it was in 1991, but with a new set of balls (61223) replacing the Sambas. The teams reached 767, and numbers had yet to start being re-used. (154 teams were available in this year). This poster was sold in shops for 20p, although they do appear in box sets as well.
1993: A poster that displayed the USA '94 accessories, but was copyright 1992, and must be the 1993 catalogue. The USA goals and balls replaced the Italia ones, but that was the only change to the accessories. The teams reached 791, and we see the first number re-use (608 and 759). 154 teams available. Despite the small illustration, this was the biggest of the 1990s posters.
1994: The first of three similar shape "horizontal" posters. The team list on the back was in green. A similar accessory list to the previous year (USA goals, but no balls though). The Mundial goals had departed by this time. Two box sets were shown (Stadium and Club). The team list stopped at 806, Melchester Rovers.
1995:
An almost identical poster, but with red writing on the back. This had all the same accessory pictures except for a Floodlighting Edition picture, which replaced the USA 94 goals. The teams crept onto 820 with 158 remaining in the lists. This was the final time we see a full accessory range (sob).
1996: Produced by the Waddingtons Creative Services, but copyright Hasbro, this catalogue had blue writing on the back. It showed the team range reaching 830, with a respectable 147 teams still to buy. It was back to two box sets (Club and Premiership), but the accessory range really suffered. This was down to eleven items, with just five old favourites (61108, 61128, 61158, 61204, 61216), plus four combined sets (61133, 61233, 61239, 61240), and two Premiership sets (61125, 61234)

1993 1994 (trade)

This is an era with simple A4 photocopied order forms for mail order customers. The 1994 list shown here looks similar to the 1987 shown above, but is actually a trade list with minimum orders and trade prices.

1992: This and 1993 look fairly identical. Same logo. Same divisions. An A5 version was included in Subbuteo Scene newsletter of October 1992, with an extra logo for the Subbuteo European Championship which had been held in Hamburg. What collectors usually call a World Cup Edition (60240), is here called the International Edition. This would be the version with Sweden vs Brazil on the lid, which was issued between World Cups. The 1992 poster catalogue was 61224. On the UKSA version a small box offered 1992 European Championship "Souvenirs" - a t-shirt, a pen, a wallet, a badge and a keyring.
1993: Designed for Direct Mail, and with a 10% UKSA member discount. The International Edition is replaced by the USA '94 edition on the same number (60240) and at the same price (£35). On both lists a Club Edition was £23. and the Grandstand Edition £58. The USA balls and goals replace the Italia '90 versions, but nothing else changes. The 1993 poster catalogue was available as 61227 at 20p.
1994 (Trade): Pretty much the same list as retail customers received, except with minimum orders and trade prices. The minimum orders were very reasonable - Astropitches (and Grandstand Editions) were sold in threes, the bigger stadium pieces were a minimum four, the goals, fence, and cups were in eights, goalkeepers and small figure sets were in twelves, and balls in 24s. Teams were ordered as a minimum 48. These were £2.31 at trade price, and £4 retail in 1993.

That is the end of Subbuteo's yearly catalogues, and therefore the end of this trawl through them. However, there are also pages for  European Catalogues and those from Japan & NZ, as well as a page of Subbuteo flyers.


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