Foosball's origins go back to 1921, when Harold Thornton from the United Kingdom patented the game as "Apparatus for playing a game of table football"...
The game was eventually brought to the United States by a man called Lawrence Patterson, reaching its peak of popularity in the 1970s, when it could be found in bars and pool halls everywhere throughout the country.
At Rock-Ola we are big fans of foosball and after a lot of research decided to bring in a small range of classic French foosball tables to compliment our fabulous range of jukeboxes.
The classic style of our foosball tables is synonymous with French pride in design. The company who make our tables been going since 1959 you can rest assured that the tables are built to the highest possible standards. The enduring popularity of these tables over more than fifty years in continental bars and clubs is a testament to its timeless style and lasting quality. As any self respecting foosball player knows, these tables are quite simply an enduring part of France's cultural heritage.
Walnut Finish
Still made near the famous French region of Cognac, the table is of solid beech construction, with a strong cabinet that sports a rounded edge to give it a classic look with a retro angle. The telescopic stainless steel bars are outfitted with shock springs and sculpted round handles. The players they support are made of die-cast metal, and can be painted in a selection of team colours. Its bar-room origins are still noticeable. The playfield is crafted with sloped corners, preventing the ball from rolling to a stop in a dreaded ‘dead zone’.
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Oak Finish
The wood used comes from forests managed in an eco-sustainable way, and each piece taken is subjected to a rigorous selection process with specific regard to its grain in order to ensure a consistent finish. Stainless steel has been substituted for chrome throughout the entire production process in order to reduce the company's ecological footprint.
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Black Finish
Handmade in France, these tables are a classic 1950's design and remain extremely popular in French bars and clubs to this day. They feature hand-painted players which can be fully personalised with your team colours at an extra cost. The tables come in a variety of wood stains and trim colours as a bespoke option.
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Did you know that Foosball is known by many different names depending on the country you are in?
United States – Foosball; derived from the Germany word for football.
Europe – Table Football
Germany & Russia – Kicker
France – Baby Foot
Mexico – Futbolito
The Table Football World Cup has been held every year since the 1940’s. Foosball has grown to become a highly competitive sport with professionally skilled athletes taking part. In 2002, the International Table Soccer Federation created an official rulebook in an effort to organize the foosball community and promote competition. Enthusiasts are even pushing to make foosball a recognized Olympic Sport!
Newcomers may question how a game such as this can be an Olympic sport but table football takes skill, focus, and plenty of practice. Professional players can hit a foosball up to 50 miles per hour during competitive matches!
