An Improved Game.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 21st Dec.,
1895
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An Improved Game.
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I, WILLIAM SUTTON TANSLEY of 97, St. Paul's Road, Lorrimore Square,
Kennington, in the County of London, Auctioneer's Clerk, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manuer the same is to be performed, tó be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
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The object of this game is to use discs or other shaped pieces of wood, bone,
ivory or suitable substance in such a manner as to imitate in miniature, the game
commonly known as football, so as to obtain the principal features combined in
such game in a small compass, in order that it may be played upon a table or other
surface with or without a covering.
The table or surface for playing the game is arranged in the following manner
and in order to render the game easily understood reference is made to the
accompanying drawing which shows in perspective a plan of the discs, boundary
lines and goals in position for starting a game.
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For the purpose of illustration I mark or secure upon the table or other suitable
'surface a boundary line A. forming an oblong figure with goals.B at either end.
Midway between the goals 'B'a centre line is placed, and in the two spaces thus
formed, I place a series of discs C of different colours, which represent, the men
playing the game, and in the centre of the figure a larger disc D to represent the
ball is placed. In addition a disc is placed on the boundary lines between the goal
posts to represent the goal keepers. The goals B are shaped like a hood, the open
portion being formed of wire with weighted projections at the bottom, the hood
portion being made of gauze or net to retain the disc 1 (the ball) within the limits
of the goal.
The game is played in the following manner :-I should first perhaps explaiu
that the arrangement of the pieces which act as the men, is somewhat similar to
that adopted in the game commonly known as Association football, and that I shall
hereafter also call the pieces as men and ball respectively, also that the size of
figure is not limited to any definite proportions but I consider it best that no man
should be nearer than six inches to the ball when starting the game.
Two or more players play the game and the respective winners of games may
compete for the final or otherwise. The play may also be for a given time or to
attain a certain number of goals.
The players toss for first move which is made by flicking the ball:-that is by
pressing the edge of the nearest piece upon the ball and cause it to take a forward
movement varying with the pressure and skill of the player, in the direction of the
goal to be gained. The player then to have the option of placing his piece close
to the spot where the ball alights. The next player then in like manner flicks the
ball back placing his man close to it if deemed discreet. The ball is next flicked
by the nearest man to which it alights throughout the game. It is thus possible
to work up the men in such positions that the ball can be flicked from one to the
other until close enough to shoot a goal, ie., flicking the ball between the goal
posts into the net beyond the line. Care should be taken to leave sufficient men
to defend the goal.
No man or piece to make two consecutive flicks and no two pieces to make
more than three passes in combination.
If the ball be flicked beyond the goal line but not within the net, the goal
keeper is to have the kick from the goal, endeavouring to pass the ball to one of

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his men, and thus up the field again. The goal keeper may not be moved up
towards the ball after he has flicked, but his nearest man to the ball may be
thus moved.
Should the ball be flicked over the side lines it is brought back to the point
where it crossed the boundary and the nearest man of the opposing side to
have the flick.
Should the first flick in the game put the ball' through the opposite goal posts,
it shall not be scored as a goal. and the goal keeper shall have a free flick, the man
making the said first flick may however be placed in front of the goal.
If the ball should alight at an equal distance from two opposing men the
ball shall be placed upon the centre spot and flicked by the nearest man of the
last player.
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Should a man fail in his attempt to shoot a goal he is to be brought back to any
point on the centre line.
After a player has scored a goal all the men are replaced in their original
positions, and the opponent is to have the first flick on resuming, the play.
In order to prevent the possibility of flicking a goal a player must declare
when about to shoot a goal, otherwise it cannot be counted and, the goal keeper
shall have a free flick.
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 method of and means for playing a game in miniature representation of
the game of football substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 15th day of November 1895.