'Playing with my dad is the greatest feeling ever' – Wolverhampton teenager set to represent England in Subbuteo World Cup after near-decade journey

Subbuteo has wowed kids and adults since its arrival in the 1940s, and is still played competitively today with kids and adults travelling the world to face-off in competitions representing club and country.

It's football 'mixed with chess', as Alex would say, a tabletop football game where each competitor tries to flick the ball - by flicking a figurine into it - into the opponents goal.

And Wolverhampton's own Justin, 51, and 16-year-old Alex, have spearheaded the region's success in recent years, starting a local club and representing the country across Europe.

Together they have competed against other nations across the pond, and Justin formed Wolves Subbuteo FC in 2016, along with Mick Hammonds, Richard Badger and Gage Badger, winning the Wobbly Hobby UK Club League in 2021 and 2022.

Justin started playing in the 1980s and Alex started when he was an eight-year-old, but together they have become a force to be reckoned with on the local scene, and abroad.

Although the pair have competed in competitions on UK shores, they've also flown out to Rome and Gibraltar, landing back home with tales of triumph.

But amongst the glory and bravado, the pair claimed the real victory is the close bond they've developed not just as father and son, but as coach, student and teammates.

Speaking today - swiftly after destroying E&S reporter Dan Coles in a game that ended 1-0 - Alex said having his dad Justin to play with is the 'greatest feeling ever'.

Justin, a father-of-three, said: "We have been playing together for almost a decade now, Alex started playing when he was about eight, it has been so rewarding watching him develop over the years, I'm so proud of him.

"My interest started when I was about 13 in the 1980s, I started going to a club and played a few games, I found out I was quite good at it.

"I developed into a player and went to a few international events, I found it to be really exciting and the rest is history I suppose, it just built on from there.

"We've played for England twice already, and now Alex has been picked to represent the country again later this month. It's fantastic."

Alex added: "The first memory I have was when I was a kid was the first event my dad put on at the local library. I was set up on a five-a-side table, I don't remember anyone actually playing me that day but I was there and that was the main thing.

"From that point I started playing weekly, dad would put events on and I always went, then we started going to more local tournaments, then national, and now I'm representing England in the upcoming World Cup, it's been a real journey."

Justin was Midlands youth number two for several years, he won the national team event held in Leicester in 1990 and the club won the Wobbly Hobby UK Club League in 2021 and 2022.

Together they also won the Leicester FISTF Satellite Team Event in February of this year.

Justin said: "I can't credit the members of our club enough, we've got a brilliant bunch of team members, they're a joy to play with and are all excellent players of the game."

Individually he has won lots of local events but 'nothing major, yet!' while Alex won an event in Stoke, being named 'Best Youth' and the Under 20 English Championship round 1 in Stanway, in 2023 - he most recently became the Under 18s winner at a Pedmore Event in Quarry bank.

Some of their fondest memories come from their travels abroad though, packing bags, booking flights and going head-to-head with the continent's best.

Justin said: "We competed at the World Cup in 2022, in Rome, it was the first time we were picked for England. I played in the team event only, but we didn't win anything. Alex played in the under 20's individuals, it was a very tough game where he scored his first international goal.

"Then last year in September we went to Gibraltar, unfortunately Alex didn't get the win, but it was a great match, the goals shown were in a game versus Spain. Alex was 1-0 down and scored two to take the lead but then conceded just before half time so it was all square. They subbed in their best player at half-time and won the game.

"But this year, we're much better prepared."

And to make sure they're prepared, they have a custom Subbuteo room at home equipped with a full-size table where they play 'most days', perfecting techniques ready for when Alex represents the country later this year.

Alex said: "I'm really proud of how far I have come, which was possible because of the great teacher I have, I think I've only ever beaten him once in all the years we've played together."

But it's not the competitions that mean the most, it's the bond they've made through years of playing together sharing a joint passion for the game.

Alex said: "To have my dad to play with is the greatest feeling ever, the best thing I could have asked for, the reason I keep playing.

"I've toured Europe with my dad playing people from all over the world, it has been surreal at times and we've shared some amazing moments together."

Justin added: "It's such a great thing for us to spend time together doing, that extra bond we've built through playing together is priceless.

"Watching him grow and develop is really rewarding. I'm so proud of everything he is achieving and I can't wait to see how far he can take his talent."