Minisoccer, marketed from 1964 by Minisoccer Ltd.

[stoxman22]

You don't see one for decades then 2 come at once. Here is my Minisoccer a good way into working again. Sadly the motor on the mechanical timer was open circuit so I have had to wire in a timer to do the job.

[Bent Copper]

I remember playing these in England in the late 60's early 70's. I always imagined there must be a complex arrangement of chains or guide wires inside.
Is there a motor for each player or is it one large constantly running motor to which you engage your players by a sort of clutch arrangement when you depress the levers?

For those who haven't worked it out yet: The long shaft in the photo has a similar shaft above it, and both are geared together by the big black gears to rotate in opposite directions. The drive to each player is via a rubber wheel mounted between the two shafts. When the wheel is raised to press against the upper shaft it rotates in one direction, and when it is pressed against the lower shaft it rotates in the opposite direction.

A very simple, elegant, compact, and cheap solution.

Am I right in remembering that the players also turned to face the direction in which they were running?

[badpenny]

Of course they did ............ otherwise they'd have fallen over wouldn't they?
Incidently Stoxman I've got one of those as well!!!! (a pinball with junk piled up on it!)

[bryans fan]

I hope I'm right in saying the patent drawing etc. is in the Archive section, under patents. Cromptons mini soccer 1960 something ... it may be of use to you during restoration. If you've not found it already.

[JC]

I can't remember who made the Minsoccer, but I'm pretty certain it wasn't Cromptons. Wasn't it the Minisoccer Co. or something? I've just checked the patent, and it's in the name of Albert Leslie Crane, dated 1965. It should certainly be of use to anyone restoring one of these great games.

[stoxman22]

There is nothing in the mechanical timer, just a switch release and a cam to do it. I found that on my timer the motor was open circuit so I have wired in an electronic timer. I did try and get a new motor but all the synchronus motors I tried seemed too fast.(I only tried 2).

[pennymachines]

Designed and patented by Albert Leslie Cane in 1965 and made by Minisoccer Ltd., Witley Works, Witley Gardens, Southall: Patent No. US3428316

Thanks for the hint, Stoxman. I'll check out the timer motor.

[bryans fan]

OOps!!! Sorry. I did look it up before posting, but by the time I got back to the forum it had changed to Cromptons in my mind! In my defence the correct patent is between two Cromptons patents!
Any way I was only trying to help It was a senior moment.

[overkilll]

Topic merged - Site Admin.

Hi fellows

I just have one electro-mechanical Minisoccer, marketed from 1964 by Minisoccer Ltd., not working.

Now I have an opportunity to buy another one working to see if I can use this new to repair the first that I just have. Anyone can help me with a price valuation to see if I agree with the price that owner request?

Many thanks for your help.

[badpenny]

Hi overkill ......

Welcome to the bestest ever slot site this side of Scransville Illinois.

Firstly the only reference already on this website is ... (now merged above - Site Admin.)
Secondly what anything in the world is worth depends entirely on what anybody is willing to pay.
If you already have one not working but it owes you £50 (for example) then buying a working one which would enable you to sell the broken one for enough to pay for the second one as well, then it's a simple equation.

If however Godolphin Fortescue who lives in Charley Farley Square London W1 remembers playing one with his chums when he was up at Oxford in the 70s and would really like to have it for his year reunion next May and it's worth his while spending £3K for a frightfully good 30 second chortle ..... then it's worth £3K

I'm sorry I can't give a more helpful answer than that, but if I were able to do so, I'd be making a killing buying at obscure auctions and selling again .... and again .... and again .... ad infinitum.

As it is I merely shake my head wondering where the last 63 years went and banging my head against a wall while questioning why on earth I didn't keep every car I bought since I was 17.
BP
PS .... let us know how you get on and don't forget to post photos, we love photos, especially your girlfriend or at least your wife.