League Two Swindon Town’s Football in the Community Trust have helped more than 200 people lose a combined weight of over 250 stone through their Football Fans in Training [FFIT] initiative.
The sessions were initially open to men with a waist measurement of 38 inches and above, before a women’s group began last year too, with FFIT having previously seen success in Scotland.
The 12-week healthy-lifestyle programme – supported by Public Health Swindon – has been running at the Wiltshire club for four years and has now been rolled out to seven other EFL clubs and counting.
Town fan Richard Parker, 44, told BBC Sport: “This course has changed my life from a couch potato to an active, healthy lifestyle. I now run twice a week with my running club. It’s complete and utter change.
“Four years ago, I used to weigh 17.5 stone – I now weigh between 14 and 14.5 stone. Nowadays, believe it or not, I actually run marathons and ultra marathons for fun.”
Keith Hutchins, who has lost over two stone since starting the programme in 2015, added: “I used to be pretty lazy and immobile. Now I play football every Sunday, cycle and go to the gym.
“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”