Improvements in Imitation Football.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Mar., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 10th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 30th Jan., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Imitation Football.
I, THOMAS THOMPSON, Manager of The Patent Novelty Company, 5, St. James
Street, Burnley, in the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention consists of a new and improved game in imitation of football.
The football field is a play board made to resemble a field as realistically as possible,
by being marked out with goal and centre lines, colour-posts, grand stand, spectators
et cetera, and is coloured green in representation of a grass plot.
On the field or ground at their respective sides are printed or painted men in
desired positions either for Association or Rugby football or otherwise, each team
being only on their respective sides of the field; while (besides men) are painted goal
posts, each defended by a painted goal-keeper. The field is preferably of cardboard,
and arranged to fold into three divisions.
In the centre of the field is a spinner or teetotum. This consists of numbers
painted or printed in a circle, one half of the said circle being the colour of one team,
and the other half is printed the colour of the other team. In the centre of the circle
is clean cut a small strip; and the stud, on which spins the finger or pointer of the
teetotum is formed with a clip base, so as to clip the said strip, which is then inserted
in position.
The kick-off is represented by a football printed at the respective sides of the field.
From these starting points runs a line in a circuitous manner to the goal posts passing
by the feet of the printed figures representing the men. On these marked tracks at
regular intervals are a number of points or stages, along which moves are made by
means of counters, or the like.
The game is played preferably by two players after the manner of the game of
chance, for which Letters Patent were granted to the said Thomas Thompson,
No. 20,001, dated 7th November 1892, which has become known to the toy trade
as "Afterma."
Each player commences by spinning his own respective colour. Afterwards, each
player by means of counters makes a variety of moves according to the number
he spins in his turn, commencing from the start on his own particular side of
the board. Should he in making these moves stop at a point where there is a man,
his opponant spins him back by a turn of the pointer or needle, before proceeding
with his turn, and if in this move his counter alights on another man bis opponant
spins him still further back and so on. The player who first gets home without
alighting on the goalkeeper scores a goal, and the game may be arranged to be
any number of goals up.
Dated this 0th day of March 1900
F. RICHMOND,
12 Standish Street, Burnley, Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: I THOMAS THOMPSON, Manager of The Patent Novelty Company, 5, St. James
Street, Burnley, in the County of Lancaster do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention consists of a new and improved game in imitation of football.
The football field is playboard made to resemble a field as realistically as
possible by being marked out with goal and centre lines, colour posts, grandstands,.
spectators et cetera, and is coloured green in representation of a grass plot.
On the field or ground at their respective sides are printed or paintel men in
desired positions either for Association or Rugby football or otherwise, each team
being only on their respective sides of the field: while (besides men) are painted
goal posts, each defended by a painted goalkeeper. The field is preferably of
cardboard and arranged to fold in two or more divisions.
In the centre of the field is a spinner or teetotum. This consists of numbers
painted or printed in a circle, one half of the said circle being the colour of one
team, and the other balf is printed the colour of the other team. In the centre of
the circle is clean cut a small strip, and the stud, on which spins the finger or
pointer of the teetotum is formed with a clip base, so as to clip the said strip,
which is then inserted in position. Or the said spinner or teetotum may be dispensed
with, and dice may be thrown instead.
The kick off is represented by starting points delineated at the respective sides
of the field near the centre. From these starting points runs a line in a circuitous
manner to the goal posts passing by the feet of printed figures representing the
men. On these marked tracks at regular intervals are a number of points or stages,
along which moves are made by means of counters or the like.
Each player commences by spinning his own respective colour, or in case the
teetotum is dispensed with, a stipulated number, say number 5 has to be shaken
previous to a start being made. Afterwards each player by means of counters
makes a variety of moves according to the number he spins in his turn, commencing
from the start on his own particular side of the board. Should he in making these
moves stop on a point, where there is a man, his opponent spins or kicks him back
by a turn of the needle or pointer of the teetotum, or a throw of the dice, and if
in this move, his counter alights on another man, his opponent spins him still
further back.
The player, who first gets home without alighting on the goalkeeper scores a
goal, and the game may be arranged to be played any number of goals up.
The accompanying drawing represents a playboard arranged according to my
improved game of imitation football. It may be divided into two or more divisions.
The ground must also be assumed to be coloured green to indicate a green grass
plot, while around the sides of the field may be an imaginary concourse of
spectators, grand stands et cetera.
It will be observed that the teetotum is absent from the centre of the board as
described in my Provisional Specification, because I find it desirable to employ
dice instead. I would, however, remark, that a teetotum may, if desired, be
employed at the point where a football is illustrated in the drawing, either
temporarily fixed or apart from the board; and in the former case, the stud
carrying the spinner may be arranged to clip a small strip clean cut out of the
board, so that it can be readily taken away, or set in position, when the game is
required to be played.
On each side of the field are set men of any desired number, and in positions suited

page_text: to the playing of the game, but preferably eleven or fifteen according to Association
or Rugby football. The men on one side are coloured differently to those on the
other. As shewn by the drawing, the "stripes" play the "whites." Goal posts.
are delineated on each side of the field.
Now, the start is made by each competitor shaking a certain number, say five
by the dice. He then shakes again, and moves his counter from the place marked
"start" in his opponent's territory, so many points or stages according to the number
of his throw. These points or stages may be numbered from start to finish to
facilitate the moves. Should he in the course of his progress towards the goal
alight on one of his opponent's men, his opponent shakes the dice, and kicks him
back as it were, according to the number of his throw. Should he again alight
on a man in the return move, he is kicked still further back by another throw of
the dice. Moreover, when he gets near home, he has to throw just the number,
that will cause him to alight on the point marked goal, and not on the goalkeeper,
otherwise he will be sent or kicked back.
In this way the game is rendered very uncertain and exciting from start to finish,
as the competitors are never sure of victory until they score.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The improved game of imitation football, substantially as described and shewn
in the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 8th day of December 1896.
F. RICHMOND,
12 Standish Street, Burnley, Agent for the Applicant.