Newcastle man loses a fifth of his body weight through local health and wellbeing driven football club

Luke Foster weighed almost 23 stones (145.1kg) when he first began taking part in MAN v FAT Newcastle in January 2023. After problems with his feet forced him to stop after a few months, he rejoined in August 2024 and says he has never looked back.

The Newcastle MAN v FAT Football club, which meets every Monday evening at NUCASTLE, the Newcastle United Foundation on Diana Street, has helped 56 local men lose more than 31 stone (197.4kg) in excess weight between them in the last year.

“MAN v FAT has had a massive impact on my lifestyle,” says Luke. “I used to be very much, go to work come home and do nothing. Now I am playing football twice a week and have just started to go the gym again. It has helped my relationship with food. I really watch what I eat. Don’t get me wrong I still have a drink on a Friday night but it’s not as excessive as it once was.”

MAN v FAT is a weight loss initiative that aims to help overweight and obese men with a BMI of over 27.5 lose unwanted weight through weekly football and lifestyle coaching sessions.

At sessions, players are weighed, this is followed by a 30-minute game of six-a-side football, with extra goal bonuses awarded to teams based on their weight loss. A team’s total weight loss and match scores then contribute to its position within a club’s overall league table.

And, Luke says, he enjoys the sense of community that MAN v FAT creates:

“I would recommend MAN v FAT. Everyone is there to help you, as they are all in the same boat and, if anything, it will get you moving. That’s the best thing about it. I now play on Monday evenings and have started a couple of social games as well.”

According to the Newcastle City Council Director of Public Health Report 2023 , 64% of adults aged 18 and over in Newcastle are classified as overweight or obese. .*

Richard Crick, Head of MAN v FAT adds: “Luke and all the guys at our Newcastle club have been drawn to our programme through a love of football and being part of a team. What they gone on to achieve both individually and as a key part of the club we have in Newcastle is fantastic.”

“MAN v FAT players regularly tell us about improving their mental health through the programme, not just because of weight loss – but due to the sense of belonging, community and collaboration that team sports can bring.

“Our Newcastle club has spaces for new players, so if you’re looking to make a positive change to your lifestyle, get in touch!”

8,500 men currently take part at more than 150 MAN v FAT Football clubs across the UK. The programme was created to differ from traditional weight loss classes and combines the beautiful game with achievable weight loss goals for men.

Aimed at men with a BMI of higher than 27.5, the total amount of weight lost by MAN v FAT players in the UK currently stands at more than 750,000 pounds.

In addition to football sessions, MAN v FAT players also receive off-the-pitch support including healthy meal recipe ideas and tips on general fitness.

Players also get free access to a bespoke mental health platform through MAN v FAT partners JAAQ.

2025 will see MAN v FAT expand its offering with the launch of 15 new rugby-based weight loss clubs across the UK. The rugby clubs will follow MAN v FAT’s key principles, offering overweight and obese men the opportunity to lose weight at a sustainable pace, through weekly rugby, health and wellbeing sessions.

Find out more at: https://manvfatrugby.com/

To find out more about MAN v FAT Football and to locate your closest club, visit www.manvfat.com/football

* https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/sites/default/files/NCC%20Director%20of%20Public%20Health%20Annual%20Report%202023.pdf