The back of the net was a familiar sight for many players this week at the Man v Fat Carlisle weight-loss football league.
Each game saw a remarkable display of individual talents, with at least one player in each match celebrating a hat-trick, scoring three goals on the pitch.
Dougie Penrice of Fatarselona Oranges netted three well placed finishes with finesse, the Reds’ Aaron Dowell brilliantly struck thrice and the unplayable Brendan Reilly scored a magnificent five goals in a five-star performance for Parmesan Belgrade Blacks.
In this unique weight loss league, hat-tricks aren’t just confined to the pitch. With consistent weight loss for three weeks, a player can score an additional goal for their team. This weight-loss ‘hat-trick’ was achieved by eight players in this round of fixtures.
In this week’s games, Parmesan Belgrade Blacks continued their impressive form by defeating Borussia Muncheneverything Whites by a scoreline of 13-8, maintaining their unbeaten streak with nine wins out of nine matches.
Brendan Reilly’s five-goal blitz for the Blacks was one of the highlights, as was Hugh Godfrey’s great build-up play and defensive work for the Whites.
Despite a fiercely contested game on the pitch, once weight loss and tracking scores were added, Fatburn Rovers Blues ran out as dominant winners with a 17-7 victory over Fatarselona Oranges.
The match saw stellar performances from Johnny ‘Turtle’ Brown, who made impressive saves in the first half and was a real threat outfield in the second. His nickname “Turtle” belied his agility, as he pulled off a series of fantastic saves in the first half.
For the Oranges, it was Dougie Penrice who shone brightest, scoring a hat-trick with some well-placed, “Gary Lineker-style” finishes, according to his counterparts.
Scran United Reds narrowly defeated Saint Eat-Again Greens in a 9-8 thriller.
Aaron Dowell netted three times for the Reds, with Man of the Match Aaron Moultrie impressing with his remarkable improvements in mobility and footwork since the start of the season.
Dennis Craik of the Greens was a rock-solid presence between the sticks, keeping his team in the game with outstanding saves.
This week in the Man v Fat Carlisle league, the triumphs extend beyond the pitch. Week nine of 10 this season was particularly noteworthy for several inspiring weight loss milestones.
Karlin Williams and Ross McDonald, both from Fatburn Rovers Blues, achieved an admirable five per cent loss from their starting body weight, showcasing their ongoing commitment and hard work.
Not to be outdone, their teammate Lewis Whittaker turned heads by shedding a fantastic 10 per cent of his starting weight. The crowning achievement was by Brian Brooks of Parmesan Belgrade Blacks, who surpassed expectations by hitting an astounding 20 per cent weight loss milestone.
Brian Brooks, a 50-year-old sound/theatre technician from Carlisle, reflected on his remarkable achievement.
He said: “It feels great to hit the 20 per cent weight loss target. I’m getting married this year, so it’s great to feel more body confident looking in the mirror in my suit or my clothes.
“I’ve got more energy, confidence and the bad eating habits are under check, thanks to food tracking and accountability – you don’t want to let your team down!
What’s Brian’s secret to the consistent weight loss? “Carefully tracking my food intake, learning the calorie values and choosing wisely when it comes to food,” he says.
“Wherever possible, I plan my food for the day in the morning so I generally know what I’m eating throughout the day. Learning more about staying hydrated, managing your cravings and little things like consciously eating slower have all helped too.”
His top tip: finishing a meal with a mint, mint chocolate or some chewing gum, which he says helps in managing appetite.
Not happy to rest on his laurels, Brian added, “I’m proud of my achievements but the journey continues on!”
Coach Beverley Young shared her excitement on the success of the week.
She said: “Great results across the club, especially with four big weight-loss bonuses achieved. Hats off to Brian Brooks for his fantastic 20 per cent weight loss and to Lewis Whittaker for his fabulous 10 per cent achievement!
“Special praise to Borussia Muncheneverything, as every player weighed and tracked, and it was also great to see eight players, across all six teams, scoring weight loss hat-tricks!”
Man v Fat Carlisle is a weight-loss football league for overweight or obese 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 1,000lb 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.
For more action-packed photos and highlights, or to join the programme, visit www.manvfatfootball.org/carlisle or search ‘Man v Fat Football Carlisle’ on Facebook.
Readers of this article can receive a special discount when signing up, by using code CUMBRIA when prompted on the Man v Fat website.
