The Man v Fat Carlisle cup saw its final group stage fixtures take place this week, and with the results of Monday’s fixtures now tallied, this season’s cup finalists have been confirmed.
Winners of the combined football and weight-loss league, Borussia Muncheneverything Whites, will take on the top on-pitch team in Saint Eat-Again Greens.
Borussia Muncheneverything Whites’ cup campaign has been a testament to their quality and strong teamwork. Kicking off with a commanding 18-5 victory over Fatburn Rovers Blues, they set the tone for a dominant run through the competition group stage.
Their momentum continued against Scran United Reds, securing a solid 9-4 win, helped by 5 off-pitch goals.
But it was the match against Fatarsealona Oranges that truly encapsulated their journey: a gritty 2-1 on-pitch victory that was bolstered by their proficiency off the pitch, ending 15-11 after weight-loss and tracking goals were added.
Their consistent performances on the pitch, complemented by a strong focus on weight-loss goals, has made the Whites’ cup run both inspiring and memorable.
Reflecting on the season and cup run, Borussia Muncheneverything captain, Si Patrick, said: “We go into the final hoping to secure the double having clinched the league in the final game.
“We have overcome some good opponents in the cup and know the final will be a good contest against the Greens, who have been outstanding on the pitch all season.
“This season, the Whites have really come together as a team off the pitch and on it.
“We are fortunate to have a fantastic keeper in Shawn who is often protected by Tim and Andrew, who have been rocks at the back. We have the mercurial Liam playing alongside the workhorse that is Rhys in the middle.
“We have a maverick up top in Harry who gets us important goals. Imre always offers us something different when playing, whilst Hugh and Barry have played their part when they’ve managed to make it down.
“A couple of other lads have had to leave at certain stages of the season but we thank them for their contribution.
“Everyone’s efforts off the pitch have factored into our good season and I know the lads will continue this up until kick-off. Roll on Monday!”
For Saint Eat-Again Greens, the cup has been a story of unity and indomitable strength. They commenced with a thunderous display, dismantling Fatburn
Rovers Blues with an eye-catching 20-2 scoreline. This emphatic beginning laid the groundwork for a cup journey marked by high-octane offense and robust defense.
Their succeeding fixture against Fatarsealona Oranges was no different; they emerged victorious with a decisive 19-7 triumph, underscoring their collective ability and depth in talent.
In their latest outing, they dominated Scran United Reds with a score of 20-9, thanks to an incredible 15 off-pitch goals. The Greens’ path in the cup has been a compelling narrative of overcoming challenges and celebrating their camaraderie.
Saint Eat-Again Greens captain, Dennis Craik, added: “Saint Eat-Again have seen a huge turnaround heading into the final. From bottom of the league, to third, then a great run to the cup final; on-field performances have been matched with off-field performances to help us make the final against the league champions.
“White will be the right colour flag for the game next Monday, as they will be waving it in surrender once the goals start flying in!”
This week’s final group stage matches, where weight loss goals added a unique twist to the scores on the pitch, were as spirited and competitive as ever. The final scores were:
- Scran United Reds 9-20 Saint Eat-Again Greens
- Fatburn Rovers Blues 7-15 Parmesan Belgrade Blacks
- Fatarsealona Oranges 11-15 Borussia Muncheneverything Whites
Across all the games, individual brilliance sparkled on the pitch. This week’s RAW Insurance Brokers’ Man of the Match awards spotlighted those who truly shone.
For the Whites, Shawn Berry was exemplary between the posts, pulling off several fantastic saves. Oranges’ Ben Snell was a handful all game and a constant threat going forward.
Blacks’ Jake Eplett dominated the pitch, drifting into space and using the ball well. Reds’ Dale McDougall never stopped running and trying to carve out openings throughout.
Karlos Williams of the Blues was recognised for his direct running with the ball and important blocks defensively. Finally, Greens’ Ash Clarkson delivered a masterclass performance, driving his team forward, linking the play, and netting a truly audacious goal with a spectacular long-range strike.
However, the Man v Fat Football League isn’t solely about the goals on the pitch. The week also celebrated substantial weight losses. Harry Watson of the Whites led the charge this week with a loss of 3.4kgs.
Coach Beverley Young said, “Well done to all our teams for losing weight this week. A bumper loss of 20kg!
“As it was our semi-finals, the teams all tried hard to get those off the pitch goals too; where Greens scored 15, Whites 13 and Oranges 10.
“It was great to see hard-earned 10 per cent achievements from Mal in Oranges and Liam in Whites: both showing steady weight loss this season. A deserved five per cent recognition goes to Ash Clarkson in Greens too. Now onto the final week!”
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.
