GB2116854A

GB2116854A - Football board game apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2116854A
Application number: GB08204402A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roy Babbington
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-02-15
Filing date: 1982-02-15
Publication date: 1983-10-05
Also published as: GB2116854B

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a board marked with a first circuit 1 of spaces 3, which bear symbols or instructions, and a second circuit 21 around which playing pieces can move. The second circuit comprises holes 23, only some of which represent a score, while the apparatus further includes score indicating means 29, 31,33, and 35, dice, and match and infringement cards. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for playing a board game This invention relates to apparatus for playing a board game.

According to the present invention, I provide apparatus for playing a board game comprising a playing board marked on one face with a first circuit of spaces around which participators in the game move, the spaces of said first circuit bearing symbols or instructions controlling the fortunes of each participator when he lands on them after using a random number indicator, e.g. a dice, and, at equally spaced locations around the first circuit, a plurality of spaces marked with names representing different teams, the spaces bearing the team names having markings thereon on which players of the team can be stood, and a plurality of playing pieces representing players of the various teams, the board also being marked with a second circuit around which a player of each participator of the game can move when the participator lands on or is directed to a space in the first circuit associated with one of the spaces bearing the name of a team, the second circuit being divided into spaces, only some of which represent a score when landed upon by a playing piece, and means for indicating the score of each participator.

Preferably, the score indicating means comprises a set of spaces on the board for each participator, each set of spaces extending towards a common finishing point of the game.

Preferably, some of the spaces of the first circuit bear markings directing the participator to consult a card for further playing instructions, and the apparatus includes a set of cards with instructions thereon. Preferably, each card has a plurality of different instructions thereon, the random numeral indicator being used to identify which instruction is to be followed.

Preferably, the board is marked for playing a football game, and the set of cards includes an extra match card which directs participators to different ones of the spaces on the first circuit bearing team names, and an infringement card which bears a plurality of different directions to the participator, there also being "linesmen" and "referee" spaces on the first circuit and associated cards which are collected by the participators, which, if a set of three is collected, allow the participator to prevent another participator from scoring.

Preferably, each team name spaces has on either side of it a further space representing a gate to the ground of that particular team or club.

Preferably also, each team name space is marked out to represent half a football pitch, and is located opposite another team name square, there being four team name squares in all.

Preferably, the second circuit is located inside the first circuit, and marked with spaces, some of which represent goals, and four of which represent penalties. A goal may be scored from a penalty if the random numeral indicator comes up with an even number.

Preferably, each team name space is marked with the positions of players of a football team, the formost position being of the striker's position. The playing pieces are located in these positions, and can be moved forward if the positions ahead are vacant on operation of the random numeral indicator.

Preferably, the score indicating spaces extend in two lines at right angles, between the two pairs of team name squares, and meet at a central finishing point marked by a cup.

Preferably, between each striker's position and the first one of each line of score indicating spaces, there is a players' tunnel space, there therefore being a players' tunnel space associated with each team space, and preferably, the four players' tunnel spaces are located in the second circuit at equally spaced locations.

Preferably, each participator is represented by a team supporters' coach which moves, under the control of the random numeral indicator, around the first circuit until it lands on a space representing a gate to the ground of a particular team. Only when this happens can a participator move one of his playing pieces from the strikers' position to the tunnel, and hence around the second circuit to score.

Preferably, the positions on each team space, the spaces on the second circuit, and the score indicating spaces are all marked by apertures in the board, into which the playing pieces, which may be coloured pegs, are located.

The game apparatus preferably also comprises a set of printed rules, and a dice, and match ban cards.

The game apparatus of the invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the playing board, and Figure 2 is a plan view, to a larger scale than Fig. 1, of one corner of the board, and illustrating the spaces in the vicinity of a team name space.

Referring to the drawings, the playing board is square (although it could have a different shape) and is designed for playing a game between two, three or four players. It will be appreciated, however, that it could be adapted by adding further spaces, for play by more than four players.

Around its periphery, the board is marked with a first circuit 1 having a plurality of spaces 3 around which the game's participators, i.e., the two, three or four players, move in turn. Their positions are marked by tokens representing supporters' coaches of different colours and the positions they take up are dictated by means of a random numeral indicator, e.g. a dice, and hereinafter called a dice, which is used by the participators in turn. In the first circuit and at each corner of the board there is a car park space 5, and two spaces marked A and B which represent gates to the ground of a particular team. Four different tean name spaces 7, 9, 11, 1 3 are also located at each corner, but do not form part of the first circuit as such.The first circuit also comprises, between each pair of adjacent corners, various spaces bearing directions indicating that a player of the participator landing on the space has been "sent off"; or directing the participator to consult an "extra match" card or "infringement" card; or directing the participator to collect a "linesman's" or "referee's" card.

When a participant has to consult one or other of the extra match and infringement cards, he uses the dice to determine which instruction on the card to obey. These instructions are as follows: Extra Match card: 1.Go to UNITED. Gate A The names UNITED, COUNTY 2.Go to COUNTY. Gate A etc. are of course typical 3.Go to ROVERS. Gate A name spaces, whereas a 4.Coach breaks down! home game represents the NO MATCH participant's own team, i.e.

5.Go to CITY. Gate A the one with which his 6.Home game. Gate B supports' coach is associated.

Infringement card: 1. Bring on a substitute. Extra man to be placed anywhere except in striker's position.

2. Throw-in, move number on dice.

3. Corner, throw again and move again.

4. Penalty, throw again, even scoresHdd loses; if your club is banned an even throw lifts the ban. (The ref's whistle moves round to the left).

5. Bring on a substitute. Extra man to be placed anywhere except in striker's position.

6. Kick photographer! Sent off.

Obviously, instead of having a single card, and throwing a dice to decide which instruction to follow, there could be a plurality of cards with different instructions thereon.

Each team name space 7, 9, 11, 1 3 is marked to represent half a football pitch, and the various player's positions are identified with holes 1 5 in the board, the formost hole 1 7 marking the position of the team's striker (see Fig. 2).

When a participator's supporters' coach lands on any one of the spaces A or B, then, so long as he has a striker in the striker's position 17, he can move his striker to a space 1 9 representing the player's tunnel. It is therefore advantageous to move players on the pitch forward in the holes 1 5 to the hole 17, and this can be done instead of moving the supporters' coach around the circuit 1, provided the number of moves forward by a player corresponds with the number thrown on the dice.

The players' tunnels 19 form part of a second circuit 21 marked on the board. The second circuit has different spaces on it marked by holes 23, and once a striker is in a tunnel space 19, he can be moved round the circuit 21 by throwing the dice. Selected holes, such as holes 25, 27 in the second circuit represent scores or goals, and when a striker lands on one of these, a score is made. To indicate the score, e.g. number of goals scored, rows of holes 29, 31, 33, 35 are provided on the board, and each time a goal is scored, a marker piece is moved from the tunnel space 1 9 towards the finish hole 37 in the centre, which is marked by "The Cup" 39.

The aim of the game is to win the cup.

Obviously, participators will sometimes, e.g. as a result of landing on "Extra Match" spaces, find their striker is directed to a tunnel space other than that of his own team, for an "away" game. In that event, he works his striker around the second circuit 21 until he reaches his "home" tunnel, scoring goals as he goes, and his striker must then be removed from the board.

It is an advantage to have a "home" game, as the striker will then move around the whole of the second circuit 21, with the chance of scoring more goals. There are four spaces 41 on the circuit representing penalties. If a striker lands on these, the dice is thrown again and, say, an even number indicates a goal and an odd number indicates a miss.

There are various rules of the game, which are apparent from "The Rules" which are set out as follows: THE RULES Glossary of terms Supporters' Coach. There are four of these pieces which move around the first circuit 1 in dependence of the throw of a dice and decide where a team's striker begins his game and other factors of good or bad fortune.

Striker. The team's potential scorer by virtue of being in the furthest forward position on the pitch.

Players or Men. There are twelve of these for each team (one acts as a score marker) and they are located within the pitch before achieving striker status.

Marker. Every time a goal is scored the marker is moved forward one place. First marker to the cup 39 is the winner.

Game. The inside or second circuit 21 is where a team's striker scores goals. The striker starts his circuit (full, i, i, &commat; according to the position of the team's supporters' coach. If one striker lands on another, the arriving striker is deemed to have fouled and moves back one space; goals as a result of these fouls count for the moving player.

Club or Team. This consists of a pitch, eleven players, one match ban card, one supporters' coach, and one marker.

Pitch. See Fig. 2. Tactical play here is important for speed and freedom of movement.

The Manner of Play The first team, i.e. participator, to play throws the single dice and moves the supporters' coach from the team's car park around the first circuit 1, including the spaces A and B, and those marked "Car Park".

Landing on fouls or injuries. When this happens, the participator, i.e. team, must remove their striker, or the furthest forward player from the pitch, i.e. off the pitch.

Extra Match Card and Infringement Card. Throw dice again and read instructions off relevant card.

Referee and Linesmen Cards. There are four linesmen's cards having flags thereon, and two referee's cards having whistles thereon. These cards are collected and used to stop opponents scoring goals. A team holding two linesemen and one referee cards stops an opponent by placing the "Match Ban" card over the scoring marker of the team he wishes to stop. No team can hold more than two linesemen or more than one referee cards (extra cards go back to the centre). When a team claims these cards, by virtue of landing on an appropriate space, they are claimed from the person to the right of the claiming person. If this person, i.e. his team, has no relevant cards then and only then is the claimant allowed to take one from the centre of the board. When the team operating the ban loses one of the cards, the "Match Ban" card is lifted immediately and the banned team is restored to normal play.

Whilst the match ban is in operation the banned team must continue moving their supporters' coach. (If a striker is playing a game he must come off immediately). Play goes on as normal except when the supporters' coach arrives at a gate, when the team is not allowed to play a game, i.e. the banned striker does not go to a tunnel whilst the ban is in force. He does have to leave the pitch if sent off or injured.

The Gates. When the supporters' coach lands on one of the gates (spaces A, B) the team's striker goes to the tunnel at that pitch, and upon his next throw moves onto the inside circuit 21 for a game. The supporters' coach stays at the gate until their striker finishes his game. The striker moves around the inner circuit scoring goals as he goes, and these are recorded on the appropriate row of holes 29, 31, 33, 35 by the marker. When landing on a penalty 41, throw the dice again when an even number scores one goal and an odd number scores nothing. Upon reaching his home tunnel, the striker comes off the board and is dispensed with. The remainder of the dice number (if any) is taken up by moving the supporters' coach round the first circuit 1.

It is important to remember that a man or player can only proceed to a tunnel from a striker position. It is therefore necessary to manoeuvre the on-pitch men or players according to dice thrown and strategically to place them so that as one loses men one can fill the striker's position. The manner of movement is shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 2 and men or players can only move forward if a space (i.e. hole in pitch) ahead is clear. Men or players can only be moved forward by the precise number of holes indicated on the dice, and such movement is an alternative to moving the team's supporting coach. Remember-no striker in position when coach lands on gate--no game.

Claims

1. Apparatus for playing a board game comprising a playing board marked on one face with a first circuit of spaces around which participators in the game move, the spaces of said first circuit bearing symbols or instructions controlling the fortunes of each participator when he lands on them after using a random number indicator, and, at equally spaced locations around the first circuit, a plurality of spaces marked with names representing different teams, the spaces bearing the team names having markings thereon on which players of the team can be stood, and a plurality of playing pieces representing players of the various teams, the board also being marked with a second circuit around which a player of each participator of the game can move when the participator lands on or is directed to a space in the first circuit associated with one of the spaces bearing the name of a team, the second circuit being divided into spaces, only some of which represent a score when landed upon by a playing piece, and means for indicating the score of each participator.

2. Apparatus for playing a board game according to claim 1 in which said score indicating means comprises a set of spaces on the board for each participator, each set of spaces extending towards a common finishing point of the game.

3. Apparatus for playing a board game according to claim 1 or 2 in which some of the spaces of the first circuit bear markings directing the participator to consult a card for further playing instructions and the apparatus includes a set of cards with instructions thereon.

4. Apparatus for playing a board game according to claim 3 in which said card has a plurality of different instructions thereon and the random numeral indicator is used to identify which instruction is to be followed.

5. Apparatus for playing a board game according to claim 3 or 4 in which the board is marked for playing a football game, and the set of cards includes an extra match card which directs participators to different ones of the spaces on the first circuit bearing team names, and an infringement card which bears a plurality of different directions to the participator, there also being "linesmen" and "referee" spaces on the first circuit and associated cards which are collected by the participators, which, if a set of three is collected, allow the participator to prevent another participator from scoring.

6. Apparatus for playing a board game according to claim 5 in which each team name space has on either side of it a further space representing a gate to the ground of that particular team or club.

7. Apparatus for playing a board game according to claim 5 or 6 in which each team name space is marked out to represent half a football pitch, and is located opposite another team name space, there being four team name spaces in all.

8. Apparatus for playing a board game according to any one of claims 5, 6 or 7 in which each team name space is marked with the positions of players of a football team, the foremost position being the striker's position, and the playing pieces are located in these positions and can be moved forward if the positions ahead are vacant on operation of the random numeral indicator.

9. Apparatus for playing a board game according to any one of claims 5 to 8 in which the second circuit is located inside the first circuit, and marked with spaces, some of which represent goals, and four of which represent penalties, a goal being scored from a penalty if the random numeral indicator comes up with an even number.

10. Apparatus for playing a board game according to claim 9 in which the score indicating spaces extend in two lines at right angles, between the two pairs of team name spaces and meet at a central finishing poipt marked by a cup.

11. Apparatus for playing a board game according to claim 10 in which there is a player's tunnel space between each striker's position and the first one of each line of score indicating spaces, there therefore being a player's tunnel space associated with each team space.

1 2. Apparatus for playing a board game according to claim 11 in which the four players' tunnel spaces are located in the second circuit at equally spaced locations.

1 3. Apparatus for playing a board game according to claim 1 2 in which each participator is represented by a team supporters' coach which moves, under the control of the random numeral indicator, around the first circuit until it lands on a space representing a gate to the ground of a particular team, this occurrence alone enabling a participator to move one of his playing pieces from the striker's position to the tunnel, and hence around the second circuit to score.

14. Apparatus for playing a board game according to any preceding claim in which the positions on each team space, the spaces on the second circuit, and the score indicating spaces are all marked by apertures in the board, into which the playing pieces are located.

1 5. Apparatus for playing a board game according to claim 14 in which the playing pieces are coloured pegs.

1 6. Apparatus for playing a board game according to any preceding claim which also comprises a set of printed rules, a dice, and match ban cards.

17. Apparatus for playing a board game substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.