Season seven of Man v Fat Carlisle is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and closely fought since the league’s inception in September 2021.
The league uniquely combines the joy of football with the benefits of weight loss, where pounds shed are just as significant as goals scored on the pitch.
With each of the teams having played six matches so far, Fatarselona Oranges currently lead the table with eight points, closely followed by Borussia Muncheneverything Whites with seven.
Parmesan Belgrade Blacks, Scran United Reds, Fatburn Rovers Blues and Saint Eat-Again Greens are not far behind, each within striking distance of the top spot.
This week’s final scores were thrilling. Scran United pulled off a razor-thin 15-14 win over Fatarselona, Borussia Muncheneverything and Saint Eat-Again drew 9-9, while Fatburn Rovers secured a 10-8 win over title-holders Parmesan Belgrade.
The Man of the Match awards, sponsored by RAW Insurance Brokers, showcased exemplary performances across the games.
Brendan Reilly of the Blacks stunned with two truly outstanding long-range goals, while Hein van Der Westhuizen of the Greens made a number of critical saves and showcased excellent ball distribution.
Dan McAulay of the Blues was lively, topping off his performance with an impressive first-time volley. Reds’ Mike Vevers displayed great work up and down the pitch, and Shawn Berry of the Whites put on a very good display between the sticks, making crucial saves to secure the draw.
Whitehaven-native and professional guitar maker, Mal Brown (41) took to the pitch for just the second time this week, and received a Man of the Match commendation for his outstanding defensive performance.
Speaking about his first two games, Mal said: “Stepping on the pitch a decade (or two!) since last playing, I felt apprehensive, nervous, excited and curious as to how my body would take the exertion!”
Despite his initial reservations, Mal explained how he found the match immensely enjoyable and felt both welcomed and encouraged by his teammates right away. Although he admitted to feeling a bit stiff the following week, his advice for anyone considering joining Man v Fat Carlisle was unequivocal: “Do it. Now. Do it now!”
The top weight-losers this week were Kevin Main from the Blacks losing 2.3kg, followed closely by Dougie Penrice and Tom Burkes. These players not only contributed on the pitch but also scored extra goals by virtue of their weight loss.
Milestones achieved this week included Jonny Brown with a fantastic 10 per cent body weight loss, and Liam McMullen of the Whites, Ben Snell of the Oranges, and Oliver Warnes of the Reds each achieving a five per cent loss since the season started. Aside from earning goals for their team, achieving a five per cent weight loss is a significant and clinically meaningful milestone that brings with it a myriad of health benefits, from improved heart function to enhanced mental wellbeing.
Coach Beverley Young said: “I’m a proud coach! Some cracking football this week on the pitch and a great club attitude in welcoming our three new players. Off the pitch, so many goals were scored, including an impressive 10 hat-trick bonus weight loss goals shared across all six teams. A special mention for Hein in Greens too, who managed to only gain a small amount after three weeks on honeymoon!”
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 1,400lb 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 over one hundred players from across Cumbria experiencing improvements in their physical and mental health.
The matches take place on every Monday evening at the Harraby 3G pitches on Edgehill Road in Carlisle. The initiative is for all abilities, and there’s no age limit. Players can go completely at their own pace, regardless of their fitness levels.
For more information, 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.
