FOOTBALLERS who have let their exercise regime fall by the pitchside are being urged to lace up their boots once more as Man V Fat comes to Taunton.

The scheme, endorsed by the FA, is a 14-week football league for players who are classed as overweight or obese and launches in the county town this spring.

The league is geared to help players lose weight through six-a-side games, with a unique scoring system based on individual and team weight loss.

A Man V Fat league has been running successfully in Bridgwater since May 2016, helping players lose more than 250st in total.

Andy Dyke, national participation manager of recreational football at the FA, said: “Football doesn’t begin and end with the professional game, there are different levels and styles of football played throughout the UK.

“Man V Fat Football is a brilliant initiative for anyone who wants to address their weight and start working their way back into playing football.

“The results of the leagues are extremely impressive and we are excited to see the impact this could have on men’s health across the country and around the world.

“You might be thinking that your footballing days are behind you, but Man V Fat Football is a great bridge back into the national game and the FA are happy to back the scheme.”

Roger Smith is the coach of the upcoming Taunton league and also coaches the Bridgwater and Yeovil leagues.

He said: “I took part in the first Bridgwater league and lost 2.5st in 14 weeks and am extremely proud of being part of a scheme that has changed the lives of so many men in Somerset.”

Jon Joyce, from Taunton, took part in the Bridgwater league throughout 2017 and said the scheme had changed his life.

“I just feel like a new man, I am a new man,” he said. “I have lost a quarter of my starting body weight in around nine months.”

The Taunton league is set to start in May at 1610 Castle Sports Centre and will run each Sunday from 10am to noon. It costs £9.99 to register and games cost £6 per week, paid by monthly direct debit.

Players can secure their place in the league for £1 by visiting www.manvfatfootball.org/taunton, or by emailing roger@manvfat.com for more details.