THE DREAM TEAMS
First up, AFC Bournemouth, or if you want to to be accurate they were always Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic Football Club until the 1970s. To borrow a quote (and adapting it) from the late great Bill Shankly himself - “So much about football is in the mind. In my time going to Dean Court to watch the mighty Cherries, we have always believed that we have the best two teams on the entire south coast of England, Bournemouth and Bournemouth reserves”.
BOURNEMOUTH
HEAVYWEIGHT TEAM REF: 76 (71-73)
No dream team compilation of mine would be complete without this team. The mighty Cherries of course. My family reckon if I cut myself my blood is red and black. I always felt aggrieved that Subbuteo labelled the Bournemouth kit of the 70s as a Man City 2nd …who are they kidding? We all know the no. 9 was formed in Sir Ted Macdougall’s likeness!
West Ham UTD 2nd
HEAVYWEIGHT TEAM REF: 79 (72-73)
I only have one reason to place this team into my Dream Team list. It is just a superb colour combination and certainly the best looking West Ham kit of all time. I like my heavyweight version because the factory’s hand painting looks like it took place on a late Friday afternoon and was quite rushed. Still great though.
Bradford City
HEAVYWEIGHT TEAM REF: 23 (68-73)
The Bradford City Subbuteo team of the 1960/70s was an awesome combination of colours. It was also representative of my Dad’s team he watched as a boy. The story goes that his school mate’s dad played for Bradford City in the 1930s, so the boys, best mates at the time, took this as a licence to regularly climb through the fence and play on the Bradford pitch - the groundsman was fine about it too and turned a blind eye, although he was probably no more than a grass cutter himself in those days. Carpe diem indeed. A romantic story maybe (although I have no reason to believe it is not true) but enough for me to smile whenever I see the Bradford City colours.
Luton Town FC
HEAVYWEIGHT TEAM REF: 169 (79-80)
I have a soft spot for this surprising entry and what looks to be a strange choice to make MY Dream Team list, but I love this kit. The authenticity of the defaced box and presentation of this team is all part of its charm. Like the real Luton, this Subbuteo team has been through a few tough times. According to Sir Peter Upton’s insightful referencing this is definitely a late 70s version due to the double black stripes on the shirt and the V neck. Where would we be without Peter’s site? Well done Subbuteo, Luton hit the big time with this kit. It makes the list!
Crystal Palace
HEAVYWEIGHT TEAM REF: 40 (67-71)
A stunning Crystal Palace kit from the late 60s. I have strong memories of them playing in these colours. Subbuteo did them proud when they replicated it.
peru
HEAVYWEIGHT TEAM REF: 159 (73-80)
Peru was the first national team I ever laid my hands on back in 1971 and it still holds a special place in my Subbuteo collection. As you can see by the photo it has taken a battering over the years but it remains one of my favourite heavyweight teams.
BOURNEMOuth 2nd
HEAVYWEIGHT TEAM REF: 78 (Early 70s)
Well okay Subbuteo actually don’t officially reference this as a Bournemouth 2nd strip but it is a carbon copy from the early 70s. This is actually listed as a Coventry 2nd (71-74). Either way it is a great kit that has fond memories for me watching Ted Macdougall, Phil Boyer and co in my early teens. It definitely qualifies as a dream team for me.
sweden
HEAVYWEIGHT TEAM REF: 162 (73-81)
Another excellent looking team that was quite elusive for many years, finally arriving in my collection around the year 2000. I always liked the Everton 2nd team (that I did have) which was similar but without the cross. Imagine my delight when I found this team in a sports memorabilia shop.
Bristol Rovers
Heavyweight TEAM REF: 12 (74-80)
I am a fan of lower league clubs and this blue and white quarters kit has to be one of the best from Subbuteo in heavyweight form. My heavyweight team certainly looks great. “Up the Gas” as they say in Bristol. "The Gas" was originally coined as a derogatory term by the supporters of Bristol Rovers' rivals Bristol City, and was in reference to the large gas works adjacent to the old Bristol Rovers stadium in Eastville, Bristol which wafted the sometimes overpowering odour of town gas across the crowd. Bristol Rovers stopped using the blue quarters in the 60s, so there was no Subbuteo reference between 68-73. They started playing in quarters again in 1982.
HIBERNIAN
HEAVYWEIGHT TEAM REF: 45 (68-80)
I remember getting my first Hibernian (ref:45) green and white Subbuteo team back in 1971 at the age of 10. It was the dog’s whatsits and was identical to the 11th Bournemouth Boys Brigade kit we played in. The team has stood the test of time and still sits proudly in my Subbuteo Stuff collection and so qualifies for the Subbuteo Stuff Dream Teams gallery. It’s funny how you can have an affiliation with a club that you have never watched play and have no real connection with beyond owning their Subbuteo team.
Crystal Palace 2nd
HEAVYWEIGHT TEAM REF: 102 (72-80)
Another drop dead gorgeous Subbuteo strip that looked better than the real thing in my opinion. I’m no Crystal Palace fan but I am a fan of their Subbuteo kit pedigree... superb!
brazil
HEAVYWEIGHT TEAM REF: 50 (71-73)
The list could not be complete without the golden hues of the silky Brazilians. However, the Subbuteo team was quite a common team to get. Nothing common about the real Brazilian team though - so for that reason alone they are included.
