In these days of FIFA 2009 and Pro Evolution Soccer, it's been left on the bench.

But thanks to social networking website Facebook, a Subbuteo event in Bath is ready to kick off.

New shop Walcot Mart is to start holding regular Subbuteo evenings later this month at its Walcot Street shop, which opened at the end of last year.

Walcot Mart sells an eclectic range of vintage and new pieces, some by local artists, including gifts, jewellery, books and candles.

Subbuteo is a set of board games simulating team sports including rugby and football and the Subbuteo event is the brainchild of Nick Crowe, who runs Walcot Mart with his partner Kerry Bradshaw.

"I used to play Subbuteo as a kid and I just happened to come across some and suggested having events here and that's how that came about," he said.

"Because we have got a mixture of vintage and new products it seems to fit in quite well with the shop.

"It isn't boys only and a lot of girls have said they used to play and beat their brothers and that was quite funny to hear.

"When we started up we used a Facebook group to contact everybody, or people could come in and put their names down, and I've been surprised by the popularity of the event."

So far the event will concentrate on football – but it is hoped it will expand to include its other sports.

It was created by Peter Adolph who, having not been granted a trademark to call the game Hobby, cheekily named it Subbuteo after the Latin name for a bird known as the Eurasian Hobby.

Miniature players stand on spherical bases – and Mr Adolph is believed to have initially used a button as he tried to perfect the "flick to kick" figures.

Walcot Mart also plans to hold a book club as well as origami, scrabble and knitting evenings.

For more information go to www.walcotmart.com or telephone Bath 462007.