Rochford and Southend Casual Subbuteo Club at Crafty Casks

But no, we’re not talking about a team, a player, or even a trophy. We are referring to Subbuteo, the tabletop football game which has been loved by afficionados for nearly 80 years.

A group of enthusiasts have been meeting every fortnight since August at the Crafty Casks Micropub in Rayleigh to play the iconic game.

Rochford and Southend Casual Subbuteo Club was founded by Stewart Grant, a pawnbroker from Eastwood, and has members aged from 18 to their 60s.

Founder - Stewart has been running the club for over six months.

Stuart said: “As a kid my parents got me a set, but of course as you grow up you forget about your childhood hobbies.

“Then in about 2014 I started collecting again, and over the years I got more involved with the community.”

As a child, Stuart would paw through magazines fantasising about owning replica stadiums and kits of his own – a dream which has now come true.

The footy-mad Arsenal fan has a vast collection of teams and stadiums, with his favourites being the Italia 90 World Cup teams which formed his first memories of football.

Staidum - Stewart's home built stadium.

About two years ago the 38-year-old started a Youtube channel called Subbuteo Collector, and says his followers recommended he start the in-person club.

“I’ve only really been playing since we set the club up, but have been collecting for much longer,” he explained.

“The game is quite tactical, it’s almost like a cross between football, snooker and chess.”

Match - Two players get to grips with one another.

Subbuteo was created in 1946 by an RAF veteran looking to give Britain a family-friendly tabletop football game. Players simulate the real-world game by flicking miniature players with their fingers.

But it is not only football fans who are part of the club. Jack Target of Shoebury is a regular attendee despite having no prior interest in football.

“I only started with the club and hadn’t played before then. Apparently I had a set as a kid, my parents say, but I don’t remember that,” he said.

Action - Gareth Slinger (left) faces off with Jack Target.

“One night I just came down to the pub and really enjoyed the game. I have no interest in football at all, but Subbuteo is a good but of fun and the people are good.

“It’s very social and is as casual as having a couple of pool tables set up.”

Gareth Slinger travels all the way from Leeds to play with the club after his local group lost its venue during the pandemic.

The 42-year-old’s first-ever set was the 1986 Mexico World Cup edition.

He said: “I try to come down every two months to Southend and regularly travel across the country to other clubs.

“I first played as a kid, aged 10, and then life got in the way. I kept on collecting and only picked up playing again when the first Covid lockdown ended.

“Playing at Southend is great as the boys down there are fun and holding the sessions at a pub makes it even better.”

To find out more about the club visit https://rassubbuteoclub.wixsite.com/website-1 or email ras.subbuteo.club@gmail.com