Notice: MAN v FAT Football Club Launches in Guildford

Published on: 19 Dec, 2021
Updated on: 17 Dec, 2021

With a heavy week of mince pies and sherry looming as he sets off to deliver gifts around the world, Santa got some pre-Christmas exercise in when he joined players at MAN v FAT, a nationwide programme helping overweight and obese men make lifestyle changes through football.

Santa joined the football programme for a pre-Christmas kickabout.

The small-sided football programme has already helped more than 15,000 men across the UK tackle obesity and is aimed specifically aimed at overweight and obese men with a BMI of higher than 27.5.

A six-a-side football club in Guildford, organised by MAN v FAT Football, will launch on Friday, January 7 and will play at Kings Community Sports Hub, Southway.

MAN v FAT, an FA-affiliated scheme, currently has 6,000 players taking part in over 100 clubs across the UK. The programme was created by Andrew Shanahan, who, fed-up with traditional weight loss classes primarily aimed at women, decided to develop a programme that combines the beautiful game with achievable weight loss goals for men. The total amount of weight lost by MAN v FAT players in the UK currently stands at around 317,000 pounds.

Before matches, players are weighed, which is followed by a 30-minute game of six-a-side, with extra goal bonuses awarded to teams based on the amount of weight players have lost. Weight loss and match scores then contribute to teams’ league positions within a club. Players receive additional support including healthy meal recipe ideas and tips on general fitness.

Richard Crick, Head of MAN v FAT Football, said “Everyone knows that Santa is a little on the heavy side. It might be one of the things we love about him but ultimately it’s not great for his health and wellbeing.

“That’s why we were excited to have him join us to see that MAN v FAT is about more than simply weight, but about enjoying sport in a friendly environment, learning about healthy lifestyle and diet – while making new friends.”

Players can join up at www.manvfat.com/football and can get more information by calling 0345 163 1042 or emailing football@manvfat.com.