O'Fallon Flames History

Jeff Drake began his Subbuteo playing and managing career in 1980 at age 11. Drake simultaneously managed both West Ham United and the Italian national side for 3 seasons. Managing two high powered sides took its toll on the young Drake and he retired his flicking finger in 1983 and moved on to high school. After a 22 year hiatus, Drake is flicking again. This time in the St. Louis Subbuteo League as the manager of the O’Fallon Flames.

Established in 2004, the Flames are the newest expansion team in the St. Louis Subbuteo League, joining the league for the 2005-2006 season. The Flames play their home matches at The Cauldron, a brand new 4,600 seat stadium on O’Fallon Missouri’s north side. Construction of The Cauldron began in early 2004 and less than a year later the stadium was ready for play.

In June of 2005 Drake asked the voters of O'Fallon to approve funding for a new venue. A venue that was more player functional for play in the St. Louis Subbuteo League. After record voter turnout and a unanimous vote (two), construction began at the end of June. Two days later the pitch was complete, opening ceremonies were held and The Crematorium was ready.

Having not managed for over two decades, Drake had limited expectations for the Flames in the 2005-2006 season. After a slow start to the season, the Flames won 11 of their last 13 matches and finished fourth in the SLSL with a record of 12-7-1. The 2006 summer saw more strong play from the Flames as they reached the semi-finals of the 2006 SLSL Cup and suffered a heart-breaking overtime loss in the final of the FISTF Satellite of Texas.

In the 2006-2007 season the Flames exceeded all expectations and finished second in the St. Louis Subbuteo League. Dramatic draws with Florissant on the road and the Central West End at home helped O'Fallon finish with an incredible 12-1-3 record. The Flames travelled in the summer of 2007 and finished 4th in the Maple City Supporters Cup in LaPorte, Indiana and 3rd in the Speedway Classic in Indianapolis.

In June 2007 the SLSL hosted the innagural "Image is everything" tournament where Drake took a retro Tampa Bay Rowdies side to the Championship match. And then in July Drake joined back up with the Flames and played in their first ASA National Championship held in St. Louis. The results were not favorable for O'Fallon but the experience they gained was invaluable. Then in August the Flames played in the 2007 SLSL Cup where they lost in the Championship match to the Central West End.

West Ham United (circa 1980)		Italy (circa 1980)