Next big game in Man v Fat: Fatburn Rovers v Red Star Fridge Raid

Lee’s story

“The past few years have been a struggle for me after losing my Dad to Covid, a friend to cancer, being made redundant from work, becoming a father, my family breaking apart, moving to a new area and being unhappy in myself with my weight – it was a lot to take on, but I tried to ignore it like it wasn’t an issue.

What have Fatburn Rovers, Red Star Fridge Raid and Bayern Munchies all got in common? They are all local football teams whose players are changing their lives for the better, with the help of Man v Fat football.

This fairly new footballing craze is sweeping BCP and is proving to be life-changing for many men both young and old. The common bond between all these men is that they love football but they are also wanting to lose a little weight. In fact, there is a requirement for all new joiners to be more on the overweight side.

It’s a football club with a difference: results are based partly on the pitch and partly on the scales. Weight loss equals bonus goals, which means the footballers’ natural competitiveness drives them to better health outcomes.

Steve Couch, who coaches the Bournemouth league said “It’s not about crash diets and rapid weight loss that doesn’t last; it’s about making sustainable changes and seeing longlasting results over time.”

90% of the men who join Man v Fat lose weight. Some join with modest targets, while others make life-changing transformations: one player at Bournemouth lost more than 8 stone in just a couple of years, dropping an incredible 40% of his starting bodyweight.

Lee Allen joined the Poole league earlier this year: ‘When I joined, I couldn’t last five minutes on the pitch. Fast forward a few months and I’m playing 11-a-side matches. I’m feeling good about my weight and good about my mental health. I’m part of a safe place and a great community. ”

Alex Greary who has refereed at Both Bournmouth and Poole commented “ Man v Fat is open to men aged 18 plus, with a BMI of 27.5 or higher (though once in, players can stay when they drop below that: three players in the Bournemouth group now have a healthy BMI of below 25). It’s open to all ages – there’s a 19-year-old and a 68-year-old in the Bournemouth group – and a wide range of footballing abilities. No matter how good or bad you are on the pitch, if you’re losing weight you’re contributing to your team. And you get to have fun playing football.

Local Venues

Man v Fat Bournemouth play on Friday evenings at 2 Riversmeet Leisure Centre in Christchurch or on Mondays at Dorset FA headquarters in Hamworthy.

For more information or to sign up, see manvfatfootball.org

When I moved to Poole, I saw the advert for players wanted at my local MvF, and one day I decided to sign up thinking ‘if I didn’t do it now I never would’.

Joining has been the best decision I have made for a long time.

When I joined I couldn’t last five minutes on pitch. Fast forward a few months I can now play 11-a-side matches. I’m feeling good about the weight loss and where I want to be. I’m feeling good in my mental health because of having people there to talk to. Now the people I compete against are not just on-field colleagues; we’re friends and we stand together.

I have a lot to thank from all the players and people involved, but I have a special thanks to Man v Fat and especially my coach Dan Lloyd, because it has given me structure, discipline, dedication and made me feel I’m part of a safe place and a great community.”