'Football weight loss means I'll see my kids grow'

Alex Hammond was able to transform his life after losing weight through the MAN v FAT Football programme

A man who lost 8st 7lb (55kg) by playing football said he was happy to have the chance to watch his children grow up.

Alex Hammond, 45, from Ipswich in Suffolk, weighed 21st 6lb (137kg) and was "addicted to food" prior to 2024.

Wanting to change his life, in May last year he joined MAN v FAT Football, a league where men with a body mass index (BMI) of 27.50 or over can play while earning points for losing weight.

He said he was welcomed with "open arms" and had a "bright future" ahead of him.

While Mr Hammond could lose weight easily, he struggled to keep it off.

He had heard of MAN v FAT before, but felt he could not take part as he believed he was not good enough at football until a friend convinced him to join.

"I'm a tryer as they say, but once I went and did the tester I realised it's not about the football, it's about the journey and the weight loss. That's the most important thing," he said.

"It was nerve-racking going because I thought everyone was going to judge me.

"I was a big lad and I couldn't play football, but I was welcomed with open arms.

"Everyone was really friendly. They took me in as part of the team straight away. They made me so comfortable, it was unbelievable, and it made me want to come back week after week."

Mr Hammond said at his heaviest he weighed 22st 5lb (143kg)

Mr Hammond added MAN v FAT was not only a place where men could meet friends, but where they could also discuss their struggles openly without being judged.

Following his weight loss he said he felt like a "different person", which meant he could be more active with his children as well as the youth football teams he coaches at Ipswich Exiles.

Mr Hammond said he was aiming to now maintain his weight and would remain in the MAN v FAT group

"I know it's very much a cliche, but when I was bigger I didn't see living past 50 because I was going down a road that, unless I made changes, I wasn't going to be able to turn around from," he said.

"Now I see a bright future. Hopefully, I'll be able to see my kids grow up, them have kids, and watch their kids grow up and maybe watch them play football.

"I'm trying to be a better role model to my children and anyone else I can help."