For kids nowadays the decision on whether to attach to one from the ‘FIFA’ or ‘PES’ camps must be difficult.  In the 1970’s and early 80’s this sort of e-dilema wasn’t really a problem as the only thing out there - apart from actually kicking a ball around - was Subbuteo, the mercurial table football game.

Somewhat inevitably, Subbeteo suffered badly as games consoles and home computers seized youthful attention dominance over the last two decades.  However the game retained a strong fanbase - in Italy especially - with firms such as Zuego keeping the spirit of table football alive .

Attempts to repackage and relaunch Subbuteo down the years have come and gone as the brand has passed from one owner to another.  We picked up a ‘new’ set a few years back, and while some smart work had been done with the pitch, the pop out card versions of Giggs, Van Nistelrooy and Henry etc just left us cold…..we wanted hand painted teams.  All of them.

So it was a nice surprise to spot a number of 2012 Premier League sets in ‘proper’ Subbuteo green boxes this week.  Now owned by UK based Paul Lamond Games, you can see more of the new Subbuteo on their Facebook page, and at subbuteoworld.com.