The club, Man v FAT Football Reading, hosts games every Monday evening at Goals Reading, and is currently seeking new players. Designed for men with a BMI of higher than 27.5, Man v FAT has approximately 8,400 players taking part at more than 150 clubs across the UK.
The project was set up as an alternative to traditional weight-loss methods and combines fitness with the fun of the beautiful game. Players are weighed at sessions, and a 30-minute game of six-a-side football follows. Extra goal bonuses are awarded to teams based on their weight loss.
A team's total weight loss and match scores are used to calculate their league position within a club. More than 700,000 pounds of weight have been lost by MAN v FAT players in total across the UK. Craig Venables, a player at the Reading club, has lost over two stone through the programme.
Craig Venables lost over two stone through the programme (Image: Supplied) He said: "What I love most about MAN v FAT Football is the sense of community. "It’s more than just playing football - it’s about being part of a group where everyone has got each other's backs, both in terms of fitness and life in general. "The mix of competition and camaraderie keeps me motivated.
"I’d definitely recommend it to others because it’s such a supportive environment that really helps you stay on track with your goals. "I’d like to give a special mention to our coach Zoe who is incredibly helpful, knowledgeable and supportive. "When I first joined MA.