A football group set up for overweight men has exploded in popularity as people look to get active again following the pandemic.

What started off as eight guys kicking a ball about in Shoebury Park has grown into a 60-player weekly league.

The Fat Old Sh**e and Unfit (FOSU) league boasts four teams and is looking to expand to six or eight in five weeks’ time.

Jeff Rodrigues, founder of the leaguer, said: “FOSU has become a supporting community among its players. For people dealing with weight loss or struggles in their personal life. It’s somewhere to banter and, for an hour of your day, forget about your troubles and just have fun playing football.”

The league started when Jeff and a few of the other guys met at a fitness programme in Southend.

One of the lads suggested a game of football at Shoebury Park, and FOSU took off from there.

The popularity of the league can in part be explained by the pandemic, Jeff believes.

“A few of the chaps work from home and had not been able to get out over the last 18 months and ended up putting weight on,” Jeff explained.

And while the league is providing a physical benefit to the players, there is also a beneficial social element.

Jeff continued: “I moved to Southend about three years ago and I didn’t really know anyone here. So, I have been a little bit isolated, as I’m sure some other have been because of Covid. Thanks to the league I have gone from knowing zero people to knowing over 60.

"FOSU has been a massive impact on the players' lives, some who are dealing with depression, social anxiety and weight loss."

The lads play at Garon Park Leisure Centre every week on Thursday between 9pm – 10pm.

Jeff asserts the league is run on a non-profit basis, and all money paid in subs goes towards keeping it running.

For more info see the group's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/845891849395986