Man v Fat Carlisle – a football league where weight loss achievements are just as important as goals on the pitch – is approaching the final stretch of its seventh season.
With just a single victory between first and fourth, the league is still anyone’s for the taking.
In the current standings, Fatarselona Oranges are holding a slender lead with nine points, but the chase is intense.
Scran United Reds, Borussia Muncheneverything Whites and Fatburn Rovers Blues are hot on their heels, not allowing the leaders to rest on their laurels. With just three games remaining in season seven, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
In this week’s matches, Saint Eat-Again Greens went up against Fatburn Rovers Blues, ending 5-11 in favour of the resurgent blues.
Scran United Reds achieved a convincing 14-8 victory over Parmesan Belgrade Blacks. The face-off between Fatarselona Oranges and Borussia Muncheneverything Whites was gripping, ending in a 9-9 stalemate.
The RAW Insurance Brokers Man of the Match awards highlighted the week’s standout players. Mark Bray of Parmesan Belgrade orchestrated the midfield, showcasing exemplary vision and ball control.
Shawn Berry of Borussia Muncheneverything exhibited stellar goalkeeping to earn a point for his team, while Paul Sewell of Scran United thwarted numerous attacks with a watertight defensive display.
Ed Cooper of Saint Eat-Again displayed relentless energy all game, and Scotty Atkinson of Fatarselona was lauded for his boundless work rate. Shane Statter of Fatburn Rovers was commended for his fantastic saves and exemplary distribution.
On the weight loss front – an intrinsic aspect of the league – Tyler Davidson from Parmesan Belgrade led the pack with a staggering loss of 4.5kgs in a week. Close on his heels were Mal Brown of Fatarselona Oranges, Mark Bray, and Scotty Atkinson, all showcasing the dual spirit of the game.
A special mention goes to Mal Brown for achieving a significant milestone of a five per cent body weight loss, reflecting his dedication both on and off the pitch.
Coach Beverley Young couldn’t hide her excitement. She said: “This week showcased the best of Man v Fat. Some very competitive football on the pitch and great club effort off it, with some hard-earned weight losses and plenty bonus goals for consistent weight loss! A special nod to both the Green and Orange teams for their discipline in food tracking too.
“We’re in week eight, and with the momentum still strong, the coming weeks will decide who emerges as the league champions!”
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 1400lbs 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 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.
