Electronic Football dates back to 1947. It uses one of the oldest and oddest mechanisms in the tabletop gaming world: movement by means of a vibrating surface.

Each player is set to move in a specific direction, and the pieces arranged in a formation on the surface of the table. The table is turned on and the surface vibrates. The vibration causes the pieces to move generally in the directions set for them. But not really: some will fall over, some will spin around, and some will appear to have epileptic fits. You can also pass the ball using a spring-loaded arm (very tricky), and kick a field goal using a spring-loaded foot (slightly less tricky).

This mechanism has survived 60 years. Of course, it’s struggling to compete with video versions of football, but continues on as a niche hobby market with it’s own league play. Today’s versions of electronic football are prettier, but essentially the same. Excalibur makes a nice set. The original Tudor designs are continued by Miggle.