Decades before the Premier League was even a glimmer in Rupert Murdoch's eye, and in an era of black-and-white television and handwritten league tables, a quiet revolution was taking place in a London suburb. The mastermind was not a famous manager or a star player, but a computing whizz and avid football fan named Andrew Wainstein.
In 1962, Wainstein conceived a game that would eventually captivate millions: fantasy football. His creation, initially called 'The FTSE Footballer', was a stroke of genius that merged his two great passions—data analysis and the beautiful game.
The Original Fantasy League
Wainstein's vision was remarkably sophisticated for its time. Participants would act as 'chairmen', selecting real-life players for their imaginary teams. Points were then awarded based on the players' actual performances on the pitch throughout the season. The chairman whose team accumulated the most points would be crowned the winner.
This was no simple pastime. It was a complex game of strategy, requiring a deep understanding of player form, fixtures, and value. The entire system was managed through the post, with updates mailed out to participants—a far cry from the instant digital updates we enjoy today.
A Concept Ahead of Its Time
Despite its brilliance, Wainstein's invention remained a niche hobby for his close circle of friends for over two decades. The technology to launch it to a mass audience simply didn't exist. It wasn't until the 1980s and the dawn of the personal computer that the idea began to gain traction beyond his living room.
The game we know today exploded into the mainstream in the early 1990s, largely thanks to the launch of the official Premier League fantasy game. This digital incarnation captured the zeitgeist, turning a data-driven hobby into a global cultural phenomenon played by over 11 million people each season.
The Unsung Hero of Modern Fandom
For years, Andrew Wainstein's pivotal role as the original architect was lost to history. While later pioneers in the US and UK commercialised the concept, the unassuming Brit who had the idea first never sought fame or fortune from his creation.
His story redefines the history of one of sport's biggest success stories. It wasn't born in a Silicon Valley boardroom or a American media company, but in the mind of a passionate British football fan who saw the potential for a deeper, more engaging connection with the sport he loved.
Wainstein's legacy is immense. He didn't just create a game; he invented an entirely new way of being a sports fan—transforming passive viewers into active participants, armchair managers, and transfer market strategists. Every time a modern fan agonises over their captain choice or celebrates a clean sheet, they are participating in a tradition started by one visionary Brit over sixty years ago.
