by Dan Bloom

It may not have million pound pay packets but a mini football game is taking Medway by storm.

These boys are leading the nation in Subbuteo, pitting themselves against lads from Italy, Spain and Belgium in the Subbuteo World Cup.

Featherby Junior School pupil Kye Arnold, 10, is even ranked England’s number two and is an official face of the 66-year-old table-top game.

His dad Terry, of Allington Road, Twydall, could not be more proud.

The IT engineer went with Kye and friends from Featherby, Twydall, Miers Court and St Mary’s Catholic schools to the under-12s tournament on Saturday.

The 42-year-old, who is the chairman of Gillingham’s Thamesview FC, said: "I got it out of the loft two Christmases ago and it all blossomed from there.

"It’s a dads and lads thing. Everyone gets to take part and Kye has now won Belgian and English championships.

"Kent is the hotbed of it in the country. Ten of the top 12 players are from Kent – it’s really alive and kicking."

Mr Arnold said: "In a year or two I think they will be pushing to the top of the pile."

Five hundred challengers from 34 nations attended the world cup at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium –and it was deadly serious.

Subbuteo was officially upgraded from a "game" to a "sport" in 2010, and there were Olympic-style medals for the winners.

Featherby have now won four free Subbuteo games from manufacturers Paul Lamond Games to honour Kye and his classmates, Finnley Taylor and Kane Stamford, both 10.

Assistant head David Brenton said: "I’ve tried to play the boys but I can’t get anywhere close. We’re going to try to get a club going in school and use the boys’ achievements to inspire the other pupils."

The boys play for Kent Invicta Table FC at the 44Two Club, Rainham.

Visit kentinvictatfc.co.uk for more.