Retro tournament in Melbourne

Last Saturday, we held our annual Retro Table football tournament at our Western HQ Barnstoneworth United Junior Football Club.

It was a WASPA (World Amateur Subbuteo Players Association) event with everyone allowed to use only 70s / 80s Subbuteo lightweight figures. Our chief logistics officer Kevin Grant even managed to resource a few old school Subbuteo pitches and plastic goals that you had to hold down as you keep !

There was a good turnout of 8 players in both the Open - including Luke Radziminski from MTFC - and Junior categories. Many of whom had never played with old equipment (and probably after the day, very thankful they won’t need to use it for another 12 months!)

The aim of the day was to have loads of fun and it was definitely a BIG tick for that objective ! Our usual laughter and banter was in abundance, with the added jokes and cries of mock frustration when the old figures tripped up for the umpteenth time.

The “oldies” had a distinct advantage with their prior Subbuteo experience which accounted for some minor upsets and odd score lines. Noticeably, Kevin Grant - who was in his element with his 80s Admiral-kitted England team - finishing above seeded player Luke in his group and scoring goals at will.

However, the winners and finalists still had a familiar look to it. The Briffa boys fought out another Junior final with Harrison coming out on top this time. In the Open final, club president Benny edged out Simon Briffa in a close contest. Special credit to Kevin and the ever-improving junior Charlotte Wright for finishing 3rd in their categories.

Well done all and thanks for attending another fantastic event !

Next up, we’re back to the modern game with a very special event ... The World Cup festival of Table football !! ... where we’ll be having back-to-back tournaments hosted by Western Flickers TFC and Northern Phoenix TFC !

GO PELICANS !!!

(Original report from the club's Facebook page)