St Albans family create football game now sold on Amazon

The Sloneem's found themselves struggling to strike a balance between technology and time with family, particularly during lockdown. 

To combat this, they utilised their enthusiasm for football and board games to start a project only two years ago.

The Sloneem family are board game enthusiasts. (From left to right) - Jon, 46, Lisa, 43, Sofia, 9, and Mason, 11. (Image: Jon Sloneem) What began as school work for son Mason swiftly became a family goal, as the avid board game players were keen to see how far the idea could go.

Following some positive feedback from family and friends on their "scrappy prototype", 'The Game of Two Halves' was born, which they describe as a "family-friendly game of football in a box".

The whole family pitched in, with daughter Sofia, 9, appointed chief play tester and videographer, while mum Lisa remained the "voice of reason through" on key decisions, leaving father Jon and son Mason, to perfect the game's concept.

The Game of Two Halves is described as a family-friendly game of football. (Image: Jon Sloneem) The Sloneem's enjoy playing their very own board game. (Image: Jon Sloneem) Jon, 46, said: "It's been a fantastic experience for us to share quality time together, but we’ve shared a vision, a dream – and found a way to make it possible.

"Just like the spirit of The Game of Two Halves, we never gave up, and there were times where we snatched victory from the jaws of defeat."

In June of last year, the family went to the UK Games EXPO at the Birmingham NEC where strangers play tested their creation.

This aided conversations with games manufacturer, The Fantastic Factory, which believed in the idea and began to design and produce it.

Jon and Mason at The UK Games Expo playtesting The Game of Two Halves. (Image: Jon Sloneem)The company, which previously produced 'Gogglebox the board game', has already sold thousands of copies of The Game of Two Halves.

Eleven-year-old Mason could not believe that his family's project has become a real product and hopes it can go global.

"We know how much fun it is to play, so it's really exciting to know that other kids and their families across the world can enjoy playing it too," he said. 

"It’s been a brilliant experience to do this with my dad, sister and mum – we’ve had so much fun together!”

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Sofia looking displeased to receive a red card from Mason.. (Image: Jon Sloneem) Lisa does not look to happy about her red card either! (Image: Jon Sloneem) The family has learnt plenty about the board game industry along the way, including trademarking, prototyping and creating sell sheets (a one-page document that summaries the games details).

Currently, the board game is for sale on Amazon in hopes that they can find success and convince toy retailers across the country and beyond to stock and sell The Game of Two Halves.

Jon said: "It’s been a labour of love over the past two years since its inception, and a brilliantly, exciting journey.

"From making a rough prototype and playing the game with family and friends, to the search for a board game publisher, to play testing the game with complete strangers.

"After all this time and effort, it was an incredible thrill to see our game launch last week in the UK. We hope it will be hit for families - or a great present for Christmas helping to get kids off their screens."