Written by Tom Taylor from the Mid Wales Subbuteo Club
"Mid Wales Subbuteo Club collected their first major honours in a thrilling finale to Saturday's Inter Club competition at Knighton Community Centre (19 March 2005).
As expected, Cardiff Bluebirds TFC were easily the best despite dropping a point in a 2-2 draw with Hot Club d'Ecosse (Edinburgh).
Edinburgh then made a tactical error in the team selection for the match with Mid Wales and the young Welsh players took full advantage with Jack Baker, Robin Baker and Danny-Lee Price winning their matches to record a shock 3-1 win.
Edinburgh then beat Yorkshire Phoenix TFC to move back into second spot. This left Mid-Wales needing a draw against Yorkshire and this time Robin Baker and Sam Fraser came up trumps while the other two restricted their opponents goal tally sufficiently to take the runners-up spot.
On Saturday evening Tom and Algy Taylor of Pêldroed Bwrdd retained their status as Table Cricket Champions beating Martin Hodds and Neil Munns of Yorkshire in the final with four balls to spare.
By Sunday morning, the number of competitors had swelled considerably for the fiercely competitive Individual tournament.
Tom Taylor (Knighton) made it to the quarter-final knocking out Johan Lourdon (Flanders), Hodds (Yorkshire) and Munns (Yorkshire) on the way but was hammered 6-0 by Adrian Curtis (Peterborough).
Competition favourite Ritoridis (Athens) was also eliminated at this stage by Chris Thomas (Cardiff) with the winning goal coming in extra time.
Thomas then thrashed Curtis 5-0 in the semi-final. The other semi went to a penalty shootout in which Kenny Beggs (Belfast) beat Algy Taylor (Edinburgh) 3-1. The final was a rather tense affair which Thomas won 1-0.
The Junior competition saw local players Estevan Mellen (Presteigne), Robin Baker (Presteigne) and Danny-Lee Price (Builth) make it through to the knock out stage with Price going on to reach the semi-final where he lost 1-0 to Sam Curtis (Peterborough). Curtis then defeated Matt Lishman (Pickering) 2-1 to win the Junior Cup.
Mid Wales Subbuteo Club meets on Thursday evenings at St Edwards Church Hall, Knighton. For further details please contact Tom Taylor: Tel: 01547 520096."
Written by Tom Taylor from the Mid Wales Subbuteo Club
Report on the 2005 International Subbuteo Competition...
your comments
David Johnston
The greatest player of the noble game that I ever saw was John Lauder of Barry. What skill! What dexterity! What audacity! And the charm and humility of the man brought joy to all - and still does I guess.
Wed Dec 31 09:42:03 2008
Paul Toop from Rothesay
I actually played in the original table soccer league in knighton 1980 at the youth club on a friday night run by guy smith there were two tables and a league of about ten received a certficate for representing powys against warwickshire. I'm really glad you local lads are still keeping it alive.
Fri May 23 16:10:10 2008
Ioannis Demetriades
Subbuteo is the greatest game ever! I've been playing subbuteo since I was 7 years old, day in and day out for more than 6 hours daily. Now I am 37 and I am still crazy about the game. Anyone in Cyprus up for a game?
Tue Oct 2 08:20:20 2007
Ciaran Raferty from Edinburgh
Our School (St Thomas os Aquins) has a subbuteo club. The Game Is Great. Much better than computer games!!!!
Sun Sep 18 13:06:08 2005
Matthew, Clevedon
I'm only 16 and have grown up playing the game and have grown to love the game, just as much as the really thing. I play all the time with my dad and i can see improvements in my game,like just last week i won 5-1. I wish more people got into it again!
Fri Apr 29 19:47:11 2005
Howard Dickman from Groomsport
Subbuteo is a great game better than the real thing. You can be the Manager, the goalie, the winger or the centre forward.. you never get covered in mud... and if the results are bad you can't be sacked!!
Tue Mar 22 18:50:53 2005
Are you a subbuteo fan? What do you love about the game? Have you got any top tips? Add your comments here:
Top Subbuteo players from as far afield as Greece and Belgium travelled to Knighton in March 2005 to take part in the International Open of Wales. The table soccer tournament was hosted by the Mid Wales Subbuteo Club. 
