A FOOTBALL club aimed at encouraging overweight men to shed some weight has helped 20 players lose 220 pounds in the past year.

MAN v FAT Football Southend takes place every Thursday evening at Chase High School and is welcoming new new players to join their ranks.

Leanne Smith, MAN v FAT Football Southend coach, said: "It’s great to see friendships built amongst the guys, who go from total strangers to friends sharing the same goals together: to lose weight, socialise, and play some footy.

"We have had players reach great milestones of weight loss, and some have reached their goals and left to continue other hobbies at higher fitness levels.

"Our ambition is to grow and we need more players involved to grow the club.

"We also want to be the stepping stone for men who wish to lose weight and gain new friendships."

MAN v FAT engages 8,200 individuals across more than 150 leagues scattered across the UK.

Established by Andrew Shanahan, the programme tackles chronic obesity with an engaging union of football and weight loss target setting, primarily aimed at men with a BMI exceeding 27.5.

Mr Shanahan initiated his programme, frustrated by typical weight-loss classes’ tendency to focus mainly on women.

To date, the accumulated weight loss recorded by MAN v FAT players across the UK exceeds 650,000 pounds.

During weekly sessions, players undergo weight assessments, succeeded by 30-minute six-a-side football games.

Goal bonuses are awarded on the basis of weight loss, with both match scores and total weight loss contributing to each team’s league position.

In addition to football, players also receive nutritional guidance, general fitness tips, and access to MAN v FAT’s online gym.

Richard Crick, MAN v FAT’s head of football, said: "We’re so proud of the progress made by the players and the wider team at our Southend club.

"We’re looking for new players to join our Southend club, so if you think MAN v FAT might be for you, get in touch."

More details can be found at their website via manvfatfootball.org.