“I was obese and facing a knee operation, which I only really needed because of my weight,” says builder Ben Gallon.
“I saw MAN v FAT footballers and thought I’d give it a go with my brother. I love football and I desperately needed to lose weight.”
Ben became one of the first people to join MAN v FAT footballers when he joined the first free league in Solihull in January 2016.
CURRENT STATE OF PLAY
His story is a familiar one among men in the UK.
More than 67% of men are overweight or obese, according to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures.
By using the power and popularity of football, though, more and more men are now losing weight and experiencing the benefits associated with getting active.