Under cool and overcast skies, the latest week of the Carlisle Man v Fat Football saw another set of spectacular performances and hard-fought results, showcasing the competitive spirit of the Carlisle six-a-side weight loss league.
Three weeks into the season, Parmesan Belgrade continues to lead the pack, securing six points with three consecutive wins, while Borussia Muncheneverything follows closely in second place. The remaining four teams are locked in a tight contest, each holding two points, setting the stage for an unpredictable season ahead.
This week’s results were truly captivating, with on-pitch scores boosted by a fortnight of weight loss goals over the Easter break.
Borussia Muncheneverything triumphed 19-14 over Fatburn Rovers, Parmesan Belgrade secured a 20-10 win against Saint Eat-Again, and Fatarselona narrowly defeated Scran United, 10-9.
The top weight loss achievers this week included Marcus Beattie, Stu Wareing, John Nicol, Rhys Ash and Karlin Williams. These players scored extra goals on the pitch due to their outstanding weight loss efforts, demonstrating the unique setup of the Man v Fat Carlisle league.
An array of exceptional individual performances lit up the pitch this week. Kevin Brough from Parmesan Belgrade was chosen as Man of the Match for some cracking saves that consistently thwarted the opposition’s attempts at goal.
Ryan Roberts from Scran United was another standout, along with Johnny Brown of Fatburn Rovers. Jack Cooper, playing in his first game, also drew attention by scoring on his debut, and Dennis Craik from Saint Eat-Again earned praise for his goal-blocking saves that kept his team in the fight. Baz Cannon from Borussia Muncheneverything celebrated his last game by scoring an impressive four goals.
Baz, 32, who runs his own landscaping business in Carlisle, Cannon Gardens and Landscapes, reflected on his transformative journey with Man v Fat.
Taking to the pitch in Harraby for the final time this week, he said: “My experience has been an extremely positive one. It has been the most important factor of me getting my weight and fitness to the point I felt was out of reach.
“The way weight loss is counted towards your team’s performance played really well on my competitive nature and held me accountable every single week. This led me to having a determination to consistently lose weight that I hadn’t felt in the previous attempts.
“I joined because I was overweight, unfit and really struggling to hold myself accountable when trying to change these things about myself.
“I also really enjoy playing football so it was a no-brainer. I’m leaving with mixed emotions of sadness and pride. It’s impossible to overplay the club’s impact during the last few months. I’ll miss the camaraderie between the lads – and Beverley – along with the competition of the matches.
“To look back at when I started to what I see now – 20kg lighter, fitter than I have been in 10 years and a genuine feeling that I don’t want to lose any more weight – I am very proud and extremely thankful to everyone associated with Man v Fat Carlisle.”
Coach Beverley Young praised the players for their dedication and effort, even during the Easter break. She said: “This is our best season so far, with amazing sustained effort from our players who continue to track and lose weight, showcasing their commitment to the game and their personal health goals.”
Man v Fat Carlisle is a weight-loss football league for men with a BMI of 27.5 or above, and provides a supportive and friendly environment for men to lose weight and improve their overall health and wellbeing, with over 1,000lbs lost so far.
The league – which combines football with a weight-loss program that includes diet and exercise advice, weekly weigh-ins and support from fellow players – has been a resounding success, with dozens of players from across Cumbria experiencing significant improvements in their physical and mental health.
Across the country, the FA-affiliated Man v Fat program has over 8,500 participants in over 170 clubs. The initiative targets men who are overweight or obese, with a BMI greater than 27.5.
For more information or to join the programme, visit www.manvfatfootball.org/carlisle
