BASINGSTOKE'S Man v Fat group is celebrating a fantastic milestone, having secured both the Southern Division 1 title and reaching the Southern League Cup Final in June.

This incredible feat comes after years of hard work and dedication from the team, who have shed a staggering 1,500kg collectively in the past three years.

Man v Fat is a unique weight loss programme that combines the beautiful game with the drive to shed pounds.

Players are rewarded for their weekly weight loss, which translates into goals scored on the pitch.

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This innovative approach uses football as a fun and engaging tool to motivate participants in their weight loss journey.

"The main focus is weight loss through football," said Richard Curtis, a committee member at the Basingstoke club.

"Players are incentivised to lose weight each week, as it directly contributes to their team's score on the field."

The programme is open to men with a BMI of 27.5 or higher, and to further encourage participation, Hampshire County Council is even funding the first three months of membership for new Basingstoke recruits.

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Basingstoke Man v Fat boasts nearly 100 members and competes in the Southern Division, facing off against teams from Brighton, Portsmouth, Oxford, and Andover.

With three 11-a-side teams, the club offers ample opportunities for participation and friendly competition.

The team practises regularly, playing six-a-side matches on Tuesdays and 11-a-side games on Sundays. Their home turf is Everest School.