FOOTBALL fans from all over the UK descended on Knightswood for an international open earlier this month – but there was no chance this tournament getting rained off.

For the Glasgow International Open is hosted by The Glasgow Table Soccer Association.

The Post joined organiser and long-time Subbuteo player Tom Burns at the event on February 12, held at the British Legion Hall in Cairntoul Drive, to see the players in action.

Speaking after the event, he said: “The weekend was a great success. Everyone enjoyed their weekend which was played with great sportsmanship.

“The individual event was won by the number one seed after a titanic struggle against the tournament favourite in the semi-final.”

Players attended from across the UK, including the the Wolverhampton Table Football Club from the Midlands, a club from Wales, and the Dundee United Table Football Club, from Tayside.

The tournament kicked off at 10am for the individual competition, with the venue packed with players, organisers and even referees.

The individual event was won by England’s Elliot Bellfontaine and Sunday’s [February 13] team event was claimed by pre-tournament English favourites Glide Slide Chip and Dip.

Tom said: “We were expecting it to just be a Scottish event, with maybe 16-20 players, and it turns out we got almost 40 and I had to shut the event weeks ago.”

The local club was formed in 1973 as Subbuteo grew in popularity. It reached a peak of more than 40 members as the game grabbed the attention of huge numbers of football-daft fans in the UK and across Europe.

But as the craze died down, the group folded in 1993 – only to be reformed in January 2008 as those fans of the game sought to recapture the nostalgia of their childhood while attracting a new generation of players.

Now, Tom’s club is one of only three in Scotland, with others in Edinburgh and Tayside.

And despite Glasgow missing out on a semi-final in a 1-0 loss to Wolves, Tom admitted he was happy those in attendance had fun.

“Overall a great weekend of highly competitive play which, judging by the feedback we have received was enjoyed by all,” he said.

The association is always looking for new players and if anyone would like to join, contact the club on glasgowsubbuteo.org.