New MAN v FAT Football Club Set For Cowes Following 'Tonne' Of Sandown Success

A new football club that encourages men who are overweight or living with obesity to get fit and adopt healthy lifestyle is launching in Cowes.

This follows a programme in Sandown which helped local men to lose a combined total of over one tonne (1,050kg) of unhealthy weight in 2023. 

MAN v FAT Football Cowes launches on Friday 16 February 2024 at Cowes Enterprise College. Sessions will take place on a weekly basis, every Friday.

New players on the Island can benefit from a free first 14-week season funded by the Isle of Wight Council which works in partnership with MAN v FAT. Eligibility criteria applies and spaces are limited.

To meet the needs of men, with a Body Mass Index of above 27.5, MAN v FAT Football has more than 8,000 players taking part in over 150 clubs across the UK.

The total amount of weight lost by MAN v FAT players in the UK currently stands at over 600,000 pounds.

At the start of a MAN v FAT session, players are weighed to monitor their weight loss progress across each week.

The sessions see 30-minute games of six-a-side football take place and extra goal bonuses are awarded to teams based on their weight loss.

A team’s combined weight loss and match scores then contribute to its league position within a club.

Mike Lazarus, a player at the club who has lost an impressive two and a half stone with the help of the programme explains:

“What I enjoy the most is the chance to get out, meet people and get more physically active, the club has a nice bunch of lads.

 “My starting weight was 95kg (15 stone) and now I’m 81kg, so I’ve lost almost three stone.

"I was a 38 waist, now down to 34. Diabetes was the wake up call I needed to turn my life around.” 

MAN v FAT Head of Football, Richard Crick explains:

“The tonne of weight lost by men at our first Isle of Wight club in Sandown is testament to the sheer hard work and determination shown by the players.

“We are delighted to be able to offer free 14-week seasons at our new Cowes club.

"This is thanks to a partnership with the Isle of Wight Council, who will be funding places for new players matching certain criteria.”

Sign up for MAN v FAT Football Cowes ahead of its February 16 launch here.

MAN v FAT players also receive off-the-pitch support including healthy meal recipe ideas and tips on general fitness.

Players also get full access to MAN v FAT online gym, so they can train in their own time at home.

You can find your closest MAN v FAT Football club online.