Brighton man loses nearly five stone playing Thursday football at Withdean

Andrew Cockerton, 31, from Brighton, has lost nearly five stone (30kg) since joining MAN v FAT Brighton, a football league for men who want to lose weight, the Argus¹ reported.

The club plays every Thursday evening at Withdean Sports Complex on Tongdean Lane. The programme combines weekly weigh-ins with 28-minute games of small-sided football. A team’s place in the league depends on goals and on weight lost, and teams get extra goals for the weight they lose together.

Mr Cockerton told the Argus he didn’t take the weight loss side seriously at first. “I just continued as usual and used it as a social group to play football with and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time there,” he said.

He credits his coach, Jen. “Jen encouraged me to join the gym outside and gave me ideas for better food,” he said. “This weight loss has had a massive impact on my life.”

His teammates have taken something from it too. “It’s a cliché to say the people are brilliant in my group, but they’ve also taken some inspiration from me to lose weight,” he said. “I would definitely recommend MAN v FAT to anyone who enjoys football and wants to feel healthier.”

The Brighton league is for men with a BMI over 27.5. According to the Argus, the council funds it through Gloji Brighton & Hove, its weight loss service, which also runs digital support and Slimming World places. The club’s page says the first night is a free taster and a chance to meet the coach and other players. After that, players join a team on a monthly subscription of £36.50, though you may qualify for Gloji funding, which the sign-up form checks.

Across the UK, more than 8,000 players take part in over 160 MAN v FAT football and rugby clubs.