MAN v FAT Reviews 147

Reading all the bad reviews makes me feel lucky to be a part of MVF Abingdon. Jared is an absolute credit to the team. I joined well over a year ago and he supports everyone from new to old. The club is fantastic welcoming everyone no matter on their ability. The focus is first and foremost on weight loss with a kick about being part of the fun. None of us are Ronaldo’s or Lionel Messi but nobody minds if you miss kick a ball. It’s helped me to hit my 10% target and even on the cold wet winters day I still want to go and play.

Coach is amazing shame the assistant doesnt like the rules and wants him gone for ensuring they are adhered to.

Been a player at the club for a while and we have died a death due to the petty nature of an assistant coach that didnt like the rules. He tried to take an inellagable player to the national tournament rather than players that had been there and contributed to the sucsess of the club. When MVF and the coach stepped in he started a petty vendetta against the cosch and the rules advising us as a team / players not to attend and he would get the coach fired so they could do what they wanted.

He also stood screaming and shouting at the coach on several occasions the coach is neurodiverse and doesn't hold grudges so let that roll off his shoulders even threatening physical harm to the coach.

I have also been contacted from someone in the Glasgow league setting up a rival business where they advised this Assistant had provided the number and not to tell as they could get in trouble for this.

Disappointed that MVF appear not to have supported the coach here who was a credit to the company and put the business infront of his own health wellbeing and family to ensure sessions were running. In the time I was there I dont ever remember him missing more than 2 sessions and that was because he was in hospital and at that he was trying to get across to run it if they let him out in time. Especially with the derogatory message we were advised was across our national kits which the assistant likes to remind us he paid for himself.

This assistant coach boasted he was a mental health champion but hit attitude and actions to the coach who we all knew of his background and mental health issues was borderline physical and mental abuse.

Disappointed that MVF have not backed an asset and person who wants his clubs to be the crown jewls in the Scotland crown for weight loss sucsess. But instead provided no clarity and support to the club and left the coach questioning if MVF is all he has been advertising it to be.

Went along for a chat with the coach at EK about joining following sandwich board style notices at the farm show. To be met by the coach who was fairly decentand knowledgable however he had a old man shouting abuse at him in front of a changing room full of other players. The coach did apologise and explain that this was because as a company were concerned of the players welfare due to health concerns the player had highlighted.

When pitch side the same old man was telling players about another league they were setting up and that he would message them and how he had suggested the best way to get rid of the coach was to not attend and they could concentrate on just playing football.

Needless to say I dodnt stick around. Drama and negativity not for me. Apologies to the coach and hope he has this issue sorted

Been running with MAN v FAT for about 3 months and lemme tell you, this ain’t just pickup soccer for the overweight, it’s therapy in cleats. You get your sweat release, your squad banter, and your sanity relief… all in 30-minute bursts. And honestly? I’m glad it’s not a full 90, my fat ass would need an ambulance by halftime. 💀

It’s got that grassroots energy and grit, sometimes there’s a little bump here or a schedule shuffle there ... but that’s what happens when something real is growing from the mud up. You can feel the momentum building every week. It’s like watching a local band become a headliner. Especily when people come to you and say, "Yo i thought that league was fake, the concept is pretty dope. Am I too skinny to join?"

You got dudes from all walks of life, little chirping, laughing, pushing each other to our goals and still showing up week after week. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up. It's a great mental health boost, especially for men need to get back in the groove of things. You don’t need a therapist when you’ve got a locker room full of brothers sweating for the same reasons you are.

If you want accountability, energy, and fat boy redemption arcs with real impac, this is it. No gimmicks. Just big boys ballin, melting off some butter, scoring goals and all with the same purpose!

Ciccioni AC, Tampa – Let’s f’n go.

I really enjoy MVF and have been an active member since September. The coach and assistant coach (even the ref) who run the club are superb and they go out their way to make it really enjoyable for everyone. I can not compliment them anymore.
The issue I find is decisions from above their level seems to causing a bit of an issue with the players at the club, the price rise on the membership is one especially as playing time hasn’t changed at all, the matches feel to short for everyone and when you have subs you are defiantly not playing as much as you want to. Our centre also puts us on the worst pitch week in and week out which is not fit for purpose causing injuries to various players.

Again the idea is great and I love playing but really should look at length of games and work better alongside the clubs we play at to improve the pitches we play at etc.

Not only have lost loads of weight I've also gained so many new friends it has saved my life.

I've gone from being a drug addict six months ago to living the cleanest life possible because of the support of our coach Helen and every single team mate there.

Really enjoy this and the accountability of trying to lose weight for your team each week. The exercise is welcome and it's a friendly crowd over at Basildon. I'd recommend it to anyone 👍

Man vs Fat has a great supportive community and a fantastic way to lose weight and enjoy a kickabout.

I genuinely love MVF. I look forward to my weekly games and challenges. The fact that everyone there is so supportive and all striving for the same goal makes it a great environment.
Remember it’s not a magic pill to help you lose weight. You have to be ready and committed to lose weight. You need to really be diet focused. But use the tools this platform gives you and the support of your team mates to keep on track to reach your own goals.

Have had a brilliant few seasons with manvfat and have lost over 20kg during that time. The support is fantastic and I'd recommend to anyone.

Man v Fat began brilliantly, but constant price rises amid major cost cutting decisions have left the feeling that a product that started out as a mission to help overweight men lose weight is now just an endless conveyor belt of customers.

What’s happened to the paper trackers and folders? PDF trackers are impossible.

I've been a member of Dartford MvF for nearly 3 years and am on the cusp of hitting my 10% weight loss - should have reached that earlier but life does get in the way and I own my journey. I'm nearly 60, have gone from barely able to walk to 2 total Knee replacements and MvF has given me the way in to do what I love - play football again. Not going to lie, there are days when my limbs are screaming abuse at me, days when I play an absolute blinder and days when I replay that missed pass over and over.
for anyone not sure I say take the plunge, you get a lot of footy banter, some close to the mark and so many laughs - the lads the group chats the footballing rivalries you've got it all.
I have to mention the support too - not just from the team mates, but in my case a superb coach - Leanne Smith. whatever your mood, condition weight up or down Leanne has, without exception been a beacon of light, ALWAYS positive, probes with the right questions, suggests solutions and alternatives and such a lovely smile, she motivated me to want to do better for myself. As for how she dealt with all the naughty boys, like an expert, no nonsense and always so professional.
Leanne is such a credit to MvF, she gets it and makes the experience so good. Thank you Leanne.

I joined Dartford MvF in January 2022 after sitting in bed wondering where my life was heading. Getting fatter and really unhealthy. I found MvF and more specifically the Dartford branch.
Having joined the programme I achieved my goal of getting to a healthy weight and below 25 BMI.
The programme is excellent and the advice I received, not only from the excellent coach, Leanne, but also from my team mates and all members of the club has been and continues to be hugely motivational.
I can't recommend MvF football highly. Playing a sport I love, meeting new friends and losing weight doing it. It's never a chore and massively great fun.

Dear MVF Team,

I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible impact your program has had on my life over the past four years. Being part of MVF has been transformative, not just in terms of weight loss and achieving fitness goals, but also in creating a sense of community and purpose that I will always treasure.

During my journey, I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful people who have inspired and motivated me both on and off the pitch. Their support and shared passion have been invaluable, especially as I worked toward reaching and maintaining my weight goals. Even through serious injuries and surgery, I never gave up, and that resilience is a testament to the positivity and encouragement I’ve found within MVF.

Although my time with the program didn’t end as I had hoped, I choose to focus on the many good moments and the incredible people I’ve met. Each experience, even the challenging ones, taught me something valuable, and I’ll carry those lessons with me.

I joined MVF at one of the darkest moments in my life, after the devastating loss of my 10-day-old baby. Your program, and my passion for football, gave me a sense of purpose during those difficult times. Looking forward to the weekly games was a crucial part of my healing process, and for that, I cannot thank you enough.

I’d like to express special thanks to Stu, my last coach in Bury. His calm, kind demeanor and genuine care for the members made a lasting impression on me, and I truly believe he is the perfect person for the role. I’m also deeply grateful to Tom, my first coach in Salford, who supported me in those early days, as well as Elle, who followed after him. Martin in Bolton also deserves recognition for his guidance and support.

I also want to acknowledge Connor, Roman, and the head office team, who have all been incredibly helpful and kind. Being an outsider and a foreigner, I was initially unsure how I would fit into a group of predominantly English players. While there were moments I felt unwelcome, reflecting on the total experience and the lessons I’ve learned, I realized I was protected and supported by Stu and my teammates. That sense of inclusivity and warmth is something I’ll always remember fondly.

A special thank you goes to Tez, who has been a true friend both on and off the pitch. And to Robbo who was my first 11s coach and I value him highly. I also want to give a shoutout to the Bury Reds, the Fridge Raiders. I hope you win the league—and don’t forget to send me my medal!

My decision to end the program is mainly because I am moving to Portugal to embrace a new life in the sun. It’s a bittersweet farewell, as MVF has been such a significant part of my journey, and I will forever be grateful for the positive moments and the incredible people I’ve met along the way.

Thank you for creating a program that goes beyond weight loss—it changes lives. The impact MVF has had on my life is immeasurable, and I will always cherish the memories and lessons I’ve gained.

With sincere appreciation,
Elad Duzzy

I'm 63 and play in Exeter league. I've got to say that M v F has been a revelation to me: It's made weight loss fun and the guys I play with (and against) are all extremely supportive.

The games are always competitive but never to the point where things spill over into something unpleasant.

I would encourage anyone whose thinking about joining to pop along to their local league and see how it works.

Very poor. paid my deposit and my monthly subscription fee.
Never received any details for the day/times for the game ect..

Love this. Been in the club for over a year and a half. Lost 9 stone and I am the fittest I've ever been. After years of struggling with my weight. Damo and Kerry who run it are amazing and are making my weight loss journey an amazing experience. The players are really friendly and are a great support network and quickly become great friends.

My advice, come along and try it. First time and you will fall in love with the club.

I've been at MvF Maidstone for just over a year now. As someone who's got some health issues it has benefited me both physically and mentally.
I've lost 4 stone since I joined and the transformation has been amazing.
I like the fact that the club doesn't put massive pressure on you to lose weight. It's incentivised meaning the whole team you play for is working towards a common goal. You don't have to be great at football either.....lord knows I'm not!!
The coaches are great and really supportive of all their members and the players are very welcoming....the banter is always good fun!

Simply awesome, extremely well organised by Damo & Kerry, great bunch of guys to enjoy some great footy with (you don’t even need to be able to play well!) some are there for the footy, some there for the weight loss, but the format and camaraderie focuses on wellbeing and inclusion, join and you will hit your weight loss goals whilst having fun win/win

It’s not just about football - it’s about finding a brotherhood.

Have I got injured? Yes. Did it stop me coming back? No.