Awesome new book suggests that reports of Subbuteo's death have been greatly exaggerated

Kids today eh? What with their snazzy trainers (or “kicks”), their effortless insouciance and their video games. They don’t remember how it used to be, we couldn’t just fire up FIFA when we wanted a football fix in our own homes. Back in the day it was all about Subbuteo which involved flicking little figurines around a massive pitch-table. It was harder, sure, but it was more authentic. But those days are long gone…or are they?

A new book from photographer Tom Groves designed by Thomas Coombes and Thomas Austin, captures the enduring appeal of this anachronistic game across Europe. In the Box: Subbuteo – Alive & Flicking reveals that: “For a small but significant group of Subbuteo fanatics, the beautiful game never died out. In the Box documents a serious sporting world that few realise is still out there and yet it exists with the same sincerity and fervour as any other sport.”

Not only do Tom’s photographs capture the highs and lows of competitive Subbuteo with real flair and respect, the design treatment by Thomas + Thomas promises to elevate this into a thing of real beauty. But here’s the thing – at the moment this is a Kickstarter dream – fingers crossed it becomes a reality.