Thank you for your interest in this story
To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a week
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
29
Sept
Man V FAT: the Harrogate football league where losing is winning
It’s a drizzly autumnal evening in Knaresborough, but inclement weather has rarely stood in the way of a good kick-about – and that’s certainly the case for members of the Harrogate Man V FAT football league.
Delivered by Harrogate Town’s community outreach branch, sessions take place every Monday between 7pm – 8pm and are part of a wider national programme aimed at encouraging men into healthier lifestyles through sport and coaching.
From about 6.30pm onwards, players steadily file into one of the offices at the school, to record their weight and chat with Matthew Stephenson, the coach and soon-to-be programme leader.
While the prospect of stepping on the scales in front of others might sound vaguely mortifying, everyone takes it in their stride, open to discussing the challenges and successes of the previous week.
For Matthew, this reflects the camaraderie and community they strive to build on the programme; one that surprisingly, is 'less about football, more about supporting members holistically'.
He explains:
If football was the main and only focus, there’s plenty of five-aside teams who can offer that.
Instead, it’s about providing a place that encourages getting healthy through friendship and support; things that I don’t think you necessarily find in every group.
You’re playing against each other, but all for the same purpose. You’re not going to get that aggro that can put people off joining football teams - that’s not this environment.
Matches are held every Monday between 7pm - 8pm
Membership costs £31 a month, and after signing up, members are assigned to a team, who work together for 'routine, support and accountability', according to the Man V FAT website.
Unlike traditional football leagues, action on and off the pitch counts – not only can scoring goals lead to victory, but losing weight is just as important.
When individuals reach certain targets, they gain points for their team. These weekly personal wins count just as highly as goals and contribute towards their team’s standing in the league.
This evening, there are several of these milestones reached, and duly logged. Any setbacks are discussed openly; one player admits he’s slipped into old eating patterns due to work demands, while another explains he’s indulged more on holiday.
For Matthew, being able to have these conversations are an important part of staying on track.
As an NHS therapist specialising in anxiety and depression for North Yorkshire Talking Therapies in Harrogate and Ripon, his profession gives him an extra insight into the intrinsic link between lifestyle and mental health.
He says:
The mental health side of things is a huge factor in people’s progress. Players can reach out to their team for that support, or to me – that’s where I can help too.
It’s a great setting for opening up. Everyone is working for a common goal, so nobody is putting on a front. It feels like it strips everything away, and you can just be yourself which is where the emotions come into it.
Unlike traditional football leagues, action on and off the pitch counts
Weigh-ins over and stats logged, the players brave the rain and head over to the pitch, to play the first of the six-aside matches.
Despite the less than inviting conditions, the team waiting to play still stands on the touchline, watching the game and offering words of encouragement – as well as some teasing, when a chance is missed, or a shot goes awry.
One player explains that he’s been attending sessions 'nearly since the beginning', and that it’s an important part of his weekday routine.
He says:
I love it, it’s a good laugh. And I know that every Monday I’m guaranteed to do some exercise.
Matthew adds:
Personally, I struggled with motivating myself to go to the gym or to go for a run on my own. But now you’ve got other people to keep you accountable and keep pushing you, it’s helps to keep you going.
When it’s chucking it down with rain, it’s easy to think ‘I’ll just do it another day’ whereas now I’ve got to play because it’s not just about me, it’s for the team.
Since 2021, players have collectively lost 1,000 pounds of excess weight
In 2023, research conducted by Public Health England (PHE) revealed that approximately 64 per cent of adults in North Yorkshire are overweight or obese.
Matthew feels that the demographic for traditional weight-loss groups tend to skew towards women, which can make them less accessible or appealing to men, compounding the problem.
However, since 2021, members of the Harrogate Man V FAT league have collectively lost 1,000 pounds of excess weight, a positive trend Matthew hopes will continue as he steps up to lead the programme.
He explains:
There's been players who've achieved what they set out to, and have moved on, but I'm still in touch with a lot of them, and some of them are friends for life.
There’s a really great set of lads here, and we're all in it together.
On the pitch, a goal is scored and celebrated, just like in any other football match from the Premier League to Sunday 11-aside.
Watching the action, it’s easy to forget this is a game with a twist – to win, you have to lose.
0