It was his uncle, Louis P Thornton, who took the idea to the united states where he was resident and patented table football for the first time in 1927. 10 years later a new patent was taken out by Alejandro Finisterre who had commissioned a version as a recreational game aimed at children who were unable to play traditional soccer.
In 2002 the International Table Soccer Federation was set up in France and acts as the official regulator for competitions and the promotion of Table Football all around the world.
Rules
Starting a match
First flip a coin to decide teams, the winner gets to choose first. To start the match ball is either served through a hole at the side of the table or placed between the central figures. Players then attempt to use figures mounted on rotating bars to kick the ball into the opponents goal. The Ball remains in play until a point is scored.
Scoring
A ball entering the goal counts as a point, so long as it has been legally scored, and if a ball enters the goal but then bounces back into play or off the table it still counts as a goal.
Positions
With larger tables it is possible to play with 2 people to a team, one person controlling the goalie and defence and the other controlling the midfield and attack - any player using one of their "partners" rods during playing is deemed to have committed a foul.
Spinning the rods
360 degree shots or "spinning" the rods is considered illegal however, any shot that stops short of 360 degrees is elligable. Spinning without making contact with the ball is also legal and an own goal scored by spinning a rod counts as a goal for the opposing team.
Jarring
Jarring, sliding or lifting the table while a game is being played is illegal, accidental or not! Coming into contact with an opposing players rod or slamming the table when a shot is missed is also considered "jarring" the table.
Winning the game
The winner is determined by one team scoring a predetermined number of goals.
