Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Mar., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Dec., 1396-Accepted, 30th Jan., 1897
We, JOHN CRABTREE, of Whitham Lodge, Bracebridge, Lincoln, Engineer,
and CLIFFORD THOMAS, of 202 High Street, Lincoln, Bookseller, both in the
County of Lincoln, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be us
follows:-
Our invention relates to board games, and its object is to produce a board game
played on squares which has the interest and resembles to some extent the popular
game of football.
Our invention consists in a game played upon a board having squares which
are numbered, one piece being used, and alternately moved by the players; and
in a modification where a number of pieces are used and the squares are not
numbered.
In one method of carrying our invention into effect we provide an oblong board
divided into 108 squares. At the central point of the board we place a star or other
distinguishing mark, and at each end of the board we arrange a space marked by a
large flag and intended to represent the goal posts. At each corner of the board
outside the squares we provide a small space inarked by a circle or other convenient
outline. Around the outsides of the squares we mark small Hags alternated by
stars or circles. The squares are made alternately black and white or other colour
as with a chess or draught board, and each square carries a particular number.
These numbers are carefully designed in their relationship but they may be varied
without departing from the principal leature of the invention. The number marked
on each square determines the number of squares which may be covered on the
next move made from that particular square. To begin the game when played by
two players, a piece or pawn or football as it may be called is placed upon the
central star. The player who is to begin first now lifts the ball and moves it
through a number of squares in any direction he pleases, preferably towards his
opponents' goal posts, a maximum number of squares being fixed beyond which the
first movement cannot be made. Within these limits he selects the square with a
number which he considers most disadvantageous to his opponent, and then the
opponent plays moving the ball back again in a direction to suit himself, but limited
by the number marked on the square from which he starts. In this manner the
opponents move the piece or ball backwards and forwards until one succeeds in
out-manoeuvring the other, and gains a goal. Under certain circumstances a player
may step over the outside of the squares between the flags, and then the other
player has the right to replace the ball on any square up to a certain limit.
the ball or piece is sent by the player one point beyond the top boundary into a
space marked with a circle, the opponent has what is termed a "goal kick" and
may place the ball in any square up to a certain distance. By this device, which
may be varied in many ways, a game having the essential features mentioned may
be played with much of the interest of football.
This modification of the game we term "Kick off."
When
In carrying out the invention according to another modification we provide a
similar board or the same board with a central star, goal post indications, flags
round the margin, but in this case we dispense with numbers on the squares.
this modification we arrange men. As in the actual game of football we arrange
In

page_text: 22 men, 11 forming a team for each side, and each team having a distinguishing
colour: ten of the squares on each half of the board are lettered to indicate the
position on which men are to be placed before starting the game. These squares
are lettered for example "F.B." representing full back," "C.F." "centre
forward," "L.W." "left wing" and so on; ten of the men on each side are placed
on these squares and one in a position marked "G" or "goal" from which he is
not moved. Each side has the first move in turn, which move must be made into
one of the four vacant squares in the centre of the board. Each side then plays
alternately and may move any of their men in any direction whatever to a distance
of either one, three or six squares, or other number of squares as determined, but
no other distance at one move; the move can only be in one direction at once, and
only where the squares passed over or on to are unoccupied. No jumping is
allowed, neither can either side retreat on to the squares marked "O" in front of
their own goal. Six of these squares on each side are preferably so marked. The
object of the play is to get seven men or other alloted number out of the ten into
the seven spaces marked "O" in front of the opponents' goal. The side which
first succeeds in doing this then knocks down the goalkeeper and scores a goal.
The side first scoring a number of goals previously agreed upon wins the game as
set. In this modification of the game there is a great variety of moves and
combinations, and the greatest interest in the game lies in so moving the men as to
obstruct the progress of the opposite side, and get good runs towards occupying the
opposite goal.
The game may be further varied, as for example by one side or both playing one
or more men short. This modification we call "Goal kick."
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13. Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.
We, JOHN CRABTREE, of Whitham Lodge, Bracebridge, Lincoln, Engineer,
and CLIFFORD THOMAS, of 202 High Street, Lincoln, Bookseller, both in the
County of Lincoln, 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:-
Our invention relates to board games, and its object is to produce a board game
played on squares which has the interest and resembles to some extent the popular
game of football.
Our invention consists in a game played upon a board having squares which
are numbered, one piece being used, and alternately moved by the players, and
in a modification where a number of pieces are used and the squares are not
necessarily numbered.
The accompanying drawing illustrates a board set out according to our invention
for the purpose of the game.
In one method of enrrying our invention into effect we provide a oblong beard
as illustrated divided into squares of any suitable number. At the central point of
the board we place a star or other distinguishing mark, and at each end of the
board we arrange a space A marked by large flags and intended to represent the
goal posts. At each corner of the board outside the squares we provide a small
space marked by a circle or other convenient outline B. Around the outsides of

page_text: the squares we mark small flags C which may be alternated by stars or circles or
other suitable bordering may be used. The squares are made alternately black
and white or other colour as with a chess or draught board, and each square
carries a particular number as in:licatel in the drawing. These numbers are
carefully designed in their relationship but they may be varied without departing
fron the principal feature of the invention. The number markel on each square
determines the number of squares which may be coverel on the next move made
from that particular square. To begin the game when played by two players, a
piece or pawn or football as it may be called is placed upon the central star. The
player who is to first begin now lifts the ball and moves it through a number of
squares in any direction he plenses, preferably towards his opponents' goal posts, a
maximum number of squares being fixed beyond which the first movement cannot
be inade. Within these limits he selects the square with a number which he
considers most disadvantageous to his opponent, and then the opponent plays
moving the ball back again in a direction to suit himself, but limited by the number
marked on the square from which he starts. In this manner the opponents move the
piece or ball backwards and forwards until one succeeds in out-mancavring the other,
and gains a goal. Under certain circumstances a player may step over the outside
of the squares between the flags, and then the other player has the right to replace
the ball on any square up to certain limit. When the ball or piece is sent by the
player one point beyond the top boundary into a space marked with a circle, the
opponent has what is termed a "goal kick" and may place the ball in any square
up to a certain distance. By this device, which may be variol in many ways, a
game having the essential features mentioned may be played with much of the
interest of football.
We term the game "Kick off" "Numbersi" or any other suitable name.
In carrying out the invention according to a modification we provide a similar
board or the same board with a central star, goal post indicatious, and flags round
the margin, but in this case we may dispense with numbers on the squares. In this
modification we arrange men. As in the actual game of football we arrange
22 men, 11 forming a team for each side, and each team having a distinguishing
colour, ten of the squares on each half of the board are lettered or coloured to
indicate the position on which men are to be placed before starting the game.
These squares are shaded in the drawing but may be lettered for example "F.B."
representing "full back," "C.F." "centre forward" "L.W." "left wing" and so
on; ten of the men on each side are placed on these squares and one in a position
marked "G" or "goal" from which he is not moved. Each side has the first move
in turn, which move must be made into one of the four vacant squares (marked in
the drawing respectively 2 and 3) in the centre of the board. Each side then
pluys alternately and may move any of their men in any direction whatever to a
distance of either one, three or six squares, or other number of squares as
determined, but no other distance at one move. The move can only be in one
direction at ouce, and only where the squares passed over or on to are unoccupied.
No jumping over is allowed, neither can either side retreat on to the squares
marked "O" in front of their own goal. Seven of these squares on each side are
preferably so marked as shewn in the drawing. The object of the play is to get
seven men or other alloted number out of the ten into the seven spaces marked
with a circle in front of the opponents' gual. The side which first succeeds in
doing this then removes the goalkeeper and scores a goal. The side first scoring s
number of goals previously agreed upon wins the game or set. In this modification
of the game there is a great variety of moves and combinations, and the greatest
interest in the game lies in so moving the men as to obstruct the progress of the
opposite side, and get good runs towards occupying the opposite goal. The
game may be further varied, as for example by one side or both playing one or inore
men short.
This modification we call "Goal-kick," "Kickersoff" or any other suitable
naine

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is-
(1.) In a game substantially as hereinbefore described, a playing board set out
in divisions or squares which are numbered so that the extent of the move of the
playing piece is determined by the number upon the division or square in which it
is, for the time placed.
(2.) In an imitation football game substantially as the modification hereinbefore
described, a playing board set out with initial and terminal playing positions.
(3.) A playing board, for use in a game substantially as hereinbefore described.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.