The Subbuteo World Cup has ‘flicked’ off in the Kent town where it was invented.

Players representing countries including England, Brazil, Japan and defending champions Italy have gathered in Tunbridge Wells to compete for the coveted title of World Subbuteo Individual Champion.

The organisers of the event – which started on Friday and runs until Sunday – say 15 nations will be represented, starting with the Individual Open, which will involve 40 players.

English Subbuteo Association chairman Alan Lee said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and excitement from the local community, who are very proud of their Subbuteo heritage.”

Hugely popular in the 1970s and 80s, the much-loved table-top football game requires players to flick miniature models of football players around a replica stadium in an attempt to push a ball into a goal.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council said Greece and Brazil also expressed an interest in hosting the 2024 event, but the South American nation withdrew when it learned the event could be played in Tunbridge Wells.

The world cup was first held in 1987. I was last held in the UK in 2012 when Manchester hosted it.

This year’s free event is taking place at the Royal Victoria Shopping Centre and Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, with the exhibition set up in The Amelia Scott community centre.

Both individual and team tournaments are being hosted.

The classic table football game was created in 1946 by former RAF serviceman and Langton Green resident Peter Adolph.

It quickly became popular.

Toy expert Lawrence Lambert from Cash in the Attic told BBC Radio Kent it was “one of the greatest games ever invented”.

The game has also enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent years.

The first Subbuteo set contained goals made of wire with paper nets, a ball and cardboard playing figures on bases made from buttons weighed down with lead washers.

Original figures were made from flat cardboard, known later to collectors as “flats”. Both chalk and instructions were included in the set to mark out the pitch.

In 1961 Mr Adolph introduced a three-dimensional hand-painted plastic figure and after several design modifications, this figure evolved into the classic “heavyweight” player.

In 1980 the new lightweight figure was introduced.

Hasbro bought the rights to Subbuteo in 1994. In 2020 Longshore Ltd was awarded the license to produce sets by Hasbro.

Source: Subbuteo