From the Touchline caught up with Scott Givens from the Bedford Premier League, who is set to organise the largest FISTF Satellite ever held in North America. The club is also organising a National Open during the weekend and also hopes to organise a teams competition. Here are the questions we asked him and his answers to them:
FTTL: How did you discover Table Football/Subbuteo?
SCOTT: In the early 80's we all played soccer here in Texas and watched soccer made in germany on PBS. I actually subscribed to the newsletter that they advertised and there was an ad for subbuteo in there. We saw that picture of the two boys leaning over the stadium with the goal keeper on the spring and were hooked. I asked for the Jokari version that my parents got through Montgomery Wards for Christmas. My brother Toby and Corey Rolf who still play with us all used to play starting out on the floor like everybody else until we figured out we could mount that cheap cloth pitch to a board (plywood) and play on the table. We even made advertising signs out of cardboard to prop around the pitch before we found out about the plastic fence surround. We played for about a year or two before we developed other interests such as girls and music. In 94 we had a brief revival and then with WC 02 my brother Toby was looking on ebay and saw some sets and we started playing again. We founded the Bedford Premier League and have been playing ever since.
FTTL: How many players do you expect to come to play in your tournaments
throughout both days?
SCOTT: We have 14 confirmed for the satellite and 12 for the open. We may have 16 for the satellite.
FTTL: Who do you think are the favourites for winning the title?
SCOTT: Based on what I know, I'd think Tim Boone from SLSL or Keith Constable from BPL. Although there could be a dark horse. My brother perhaps or one of the SLSL guys. I've never seen the rest of the guys play. It could be a very level playing field which is nice.
FTTL: Do you think any local players can go far in the tournaments?
SCOTT: Most definitely, I think all of the local guys have a shot.
FTTL: What do you think will be the highlight of the weekend?
SCOTT: Just getting together on Saturday with so many players. So many of whom have traveled several hours just to play. Regardless of who wins it will be a wonderful weekend.
FTTL: How does it feel to be organising the biggest satellite the USA has ever
had?
SCOTT: It feels great. When we first bid on hosting it we thought we'd be lucky to get the 8 required to qualify for satellite. Now, we are just thrilled with all the guys traveling to play. We couldn't be more pleased.
FTTL: What is your opinion on the FISTF creating a seperate North American Federation with its own board of directors and its own independent circuit?
SCOTT: I don't know that I have an opnion one way or another on this. I know that this topic has been mentioned on the ASA board a bit in the past. I just am mainly interested in developing the game in texas and building our league here. If we can contribute to the growth of the ASA by doing that then wonderful.
FTTL: Do you think that subbuteo will still be around in 30 years time?
SCOTT: I don't see why not.
FTTL: Do you plan on organising another FISTF event in the future?
SCOTT: Sure, this has been an enjoyable experience.