Man v Fat Carlisle, a football league that combines the beautiful game with a commitment to health and weight loss, kicked off its first fixtures of season eight this week.
In the spotlight were last season’s champions, Borussia Muncheneverything Whites, who stepped onto the pitch as the team to beat.
Hot on their heels and ready to challenge their supremacy this season are Saint Eat-Again Greens, while the Fatburn Rovers Blues, seen as the dark horses, are keen to upset the odds in a league where surprises are always around the corner.
In bitter conditions under the floodlights, this week’s fixtures were a spectacle of sporting skill combined with personal health victories.
Fatburn Rovers Blues faced a tough opening game against the formidable Borussia Muncheneverything Whites, which ended 14-9 to the reigning champions.
In a fantastically entertaining encounter, Parmesan Belgrade Blacks were narrowly bested by Saint Eat-Again Greens, with the scoreboard reading 8-11. In another closely contested match, Scran United Reds put up a spirited fight, but ultimately succumbed 7-10 to Fatarselona Oranges.
In the individual spotlight, the Man of the Match awards showcased some brilliant performances.
Rob Ullyart of the Blues was composed throughout, creating chances and showing great work-rate, tracking back for the full game.
Kev Brough of the Blacks turned in a heroic performance between the sticks. Ash Clarkson of the Greens dictated the tempo in the midfield, proving to be a relentless attacking threat with five goals.
Gareth Hewgill of the Oranges shone with his goalkeeping prowess and marshalled his defence well.
Ryan Roberts of the Reds was the embodiment of composure and creativity in the midfield, and was at the head of all the good work his side displayed going forward. Liam McMullen was described by the opposition captain as “the spark that ignited every attack” for the Whites, scoring and creating goals.
Adding another layer to the competitive spirit, the players’ weight loss achievements also played a pivotal role in the matches. Scotty Atkinson of the Blues and Dougie Penrice of the Oranges were among the top performers, contributing significantly to their teams’ success with their impressive weight loss figures.
Coach Beverley Young reflected on the week’s events with enthusiasm. She said: “A rollercoaster start to the season, with some great losses and a few unfortunate gains, but overall a great effort on food and exercise tracking.
“A lovely club welcome for our two new players and our three returning players. Season eight is looking promising all round!”
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 1,600lbs 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 150 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.
