Man v Fat Football Carlisle, a pioneering weight-loss football league, celebrated its end of season awards this week – marking another milestone on its journey of transforming the health and wellness of men across Cumbria.
Monday was a night to remember as the league celebrated the end of a successful season and recognised the outstanding achievements of its players: both on and off the pitch.
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.
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 180 players in Cumbria experiencing significant improvements in their physical and mental health.
This season alone, participants have achieved a collective weight loss of 147kg, and since the club started, the players have now lost a remarkable total of 745kg – or 117 stones.
Following a competitive season, the awards evening provided an opportunity for the league to celebrate the success and achievements of its players.
Players from all teams gathered to recognise and celebrate their individual and collective achievements. Awards were presented in various categories, including top scorer, goalkeeper of the season, players’ player of the season, amazing loser, top team and cup winners.
Attendees also heard from special guest speaker, Chloe Wallace, Senior Engagement Officer at Healthwatch Cumberland, in line with the club’s commitment to both physical and mental health.
In a truly competitive season, there was one team that rose above the rest to achieve a remarkable double. Sweeping the team trophies, Borussia Muncheverything Whites were crowned league champions on the last day of the season, before storming to an equally brilliant cup win just a few weeks later.
With player awards up for grabs too, the awards ceremony was a testament to the dedication and hard work of the individuals in the league too.
Ash Clarkson was awarded the Golden Boot for scoring an exceptional tally of 38 goals in 14 games, whilst also receiving the Players’ Player of the Season award for his contributions.
During the award announcement, attendees heard how Ash been described as “the centre of every attack” by opposition captains, and celebrated for how he “shows excellent sportsmanship, not only encouraging his own team but supporting opposition players.”
Season seven newcomer, Shawn Berry, was awarded the Goalkeeper of the Season award for his consistent and remarkable performances for Borussia Muncheneverything Whites, whilst Oliver Warnes was the recipient of the Top Scorer Medal, awarded to the player who scores the most weight loss goals for the season.
Mark Bray received an Amazing Loser special commendation for losing over 12 per cent of his body weight since the start of August. Further individual awards were handed out to Dan McGuirk and Jack Cooper, biggest waist loss, losing six inches from their waist in just 14 weeks.
Ben Millington was commended for his consistent weight loss, receiving the hat-trick king award.
Dan McAulay, runner-up in the national Man v Fat awards held in Manchester earlier this year for his media work, took home the Going The Extra Mile award for his work promoting the club and its players’ achievements.
In the penultimate award, Tim Linford, a central figure in the Man v Fat Carlisle community, was honoured with the inaugural Tim Linford Award for his exceptional contributions to the club.
Tim, 65, recently celebrated his retirement and joined the league in November 2021 and has since played a pivotal role in four different teams.
He has been a shining example of commitment, consistently tracking his food and steadily losing weight – nearly 12kg to date.
In an emotional award announcement, he was described by his teammates as, “Mr Consistency. An absolute pleasure to play with and an absolute rock at the back. Every week he plays his heart out, and never fails to encourage the lads. He epitomises what MVF is about and is a huge part of the success of this club!”
Finally, unbeknownst to the event hosts, the players in the club had come together to commend the inspirational leadership of two key individuals: referee, Lee Tedford, and Head Coach, Beverley Young.
Both at the helm from week one’s trial session coming out of lockdown, they have steered the ship and witnessed the club grow from a small group of men looking to shed the pounds to a thriving, growing community of 55 like-minded men of all ages who support each other week-in-week-out.
One testimonial from a player read, “Beverley as a coach and person embodies dedication and passion, shaping us not just as players, but as people… [she] instils values of teamwork and resilience and [her] commitment to helping others inspires us all, on and off the field.”
The event highlighted the positive impact that the club has had on the health and wellbeing of its players, and the supportive community that has grown since the league’s inception in September 2021.
MAN v FAT Football Carlisle, which meets at Carlisle Campus Sports on Mondays from 7 to 9pm, has seen over 180 men join up since it started in September 2021. Between them, players at the Carlisle club have now lost an incredible 1,600ib since the club started 28 months ago.
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.
To sign up or for more information, visit ‘Man v Fat Carlisle’ on Facebook or go to www.manvfatfootball.org/carlisle
