On a chilly Monday evening, as the evening sunset tried to break through silver skies, the latest week of Man v Fat Football in Carlisle unfolded with competitive matches and topsy-turvy final scores.
This week’s on-pitch results saw Saint Eat-Again greens hold Scran United Reds to a draw, Fatarselona Oranges flying past Fatburn Rovers Blues 7-3, and Parmesan Belgrade Blacks triumphing by four goals over Borussia Muncheneverything Whites.
However, once weight loss goals were added in, some twists and turns emerged.
The unique format of Man v Fat Football – in which the league rewards weight loss as well as goals in the net – meant that once the dust settled, the final results showed as Scran United 12-7 Saint Eat-Again; Fatarselona 11-13 Fatburn Rovers; and Parmesan Belgrade 19-5 Borussia Muncheneverything. In total, 14 goals were scored on the pitch this week, with an incredible 54 off the pitch.
The latest results mean that it’s still a close race in the league table. Parmesan Belgrade lead the pack, boasting an impressive 100 per cent record with four consecutive wins.
The remaining sides are closely following, with Scran United, Fatburn Rovers and Borussia Muncheneverything all on four points, while Fatarselona and Saint Eat-Again each have two points.
The top achievers on the scales this week scored extra goals to add to those on the pitch, due to their weight loss efforts. Dennis Craik, Dan Jackson, Matt Pennefather, Danny Etheridge, Ben Snell, Charlie Moultrie and Gareth Ellis were among those making a significant impact on their team’s performance.
There were some fantastic contributions across all the teams, but a handful of players truly stood out this week with their Man of the Match accolades. In particular, Ross McDonald, who made some vital saves in goal, before venturing outfield in the second half and linking his team’s attack well; Stu Wareing, who was a constant handful with his impressive balance and control, rounding his performance off with a tidy finish; Danny Etheridge, who controlled the game and set the pace for his team whilst also netting a hat-trick; and Harry Watson, who drove his team forward, contributing to the equalizing goal and scoring one himself.
However, the standout player on the Harraby pitch this week was undoubtedly Brendan Reilly; scoring three goals and displaying fierce pace and energy throughout, making him more than a handful to defend against.
Brendan, a 30-year-old teacher in Carlisle, shared his thoughts on this week’s match.
He said: “I thought we all played well as a team and stuck to the basics. We made sure that we knew our positions and communicated on the pitch. Parmesan Belgrade are a ‘grate’ side!”
Brendan joined Man v Fat Football after his best man and fellow player, Thomas Burkes, introduced him to the league. The duo had been searching for an opportunity to play football together since moving to Carlisle, as they used to play regularly back in Workington.
After attending a MVF taster session in the club’s early days in 2021, the pair have taken to the pitch every week since, with Brendan almost ever-present on the scoresheet.
His side last season, Bayern Munchies, were the top losers on the scales, and he himself recently received a five per cent certificate for hitting the fantastic weight loss milestone.
Brendan continued, “I was never really a fan of the gym but wanted to exercise. This way I’m able to get the best of both worlds with losing weight and enjoying football! I would encourage anyone to come down and give it a try!”
Coach Beverley Young praised the players this week, saying: “An amazing effort again with bonus goals scored from three teams, as a result of all players tracking in their food diaries. An incredible 12 players scored weight loss hat-tricks from their consistent progress of the pitch!
“Just four weeks into the new season, we are already beating previous whole-season records.”
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 programme 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.
The matches take place on every Monday evening at the Harraby 3G pitches on Edgehill Road.
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
