FAT-FIGHTING footballers from across Cheshire are preparing to strap up their boots and cross the famous white lines of the Alexandra Stadium to raise funds for charity.

The players all come from Man v Fat Football’s Crewe club. 

Hailing from across Cheshire and North Staffordshire, the players turn up on a Monday evening and weigh-in, scoring goals for shedding the kilograms and on the pitch.

The scheme also aims to improve the physical and mental well-being of the guys.

Across the country Man v Fat now has more than 4,500 players in 68 leagues, with clubs currently operating in Crewe, Chester, Macclesfield, and Stoke-on-Trent. 

Now 30 players from the Crewe club will be preparing to host a friendly match at Crewe Alexandra’s Gresty Road stadium on April 24.

Proceeds will be split between mental health charity MIND and Macmillan cancer support.

Northwich Guardian: Man v Fat Crewe player Scott Sparkes in an 11-a-side match (Ryan Hickson)Man v Fat Crewe player Scott Sparkes in an 11-a-side match (Ryan Hickson)

Event organisers Aaron Waywell, Will Ellis, Dale Cox, Dave Bourne and Paul Menzies wanted to give the men involved a chance to play at one of Cheshire’s most recognisable football stadiums.

Aaron, of Winsford, said: “All the lads at MvF have been relentless over the last year in losing weight - and this is a great opportunity to showcase their new found fitness on the big stage.

"It promises to be an enjoyable occasion for all those involved and I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved as a team and how far everyone has come.”

A study from MIND found two in five men regularly reported feeling low. It also found men said they preferred the idea of physical activity or face-to-face therapy sessions when at low points.

Northwich Guardian: Event organiser Aaron Waywell playing in a Man v Fat match for Crewe (Ryan Hickson)Event organiser Aaron Waywell playing in a Man v Fat match for Crewe (Ryan Hickson)

Each Man v Fat season lasts 14 weeks, and last season players in the Crewe league shed almost 60 kilograms. Individual awards were won by those losing five per cent, 10 per cent and even 25 per cent of their body weight. 

The Crewe Man v Fat charity match kicks off at 10.45am on April 24. Everyone is welcome down to cheer on the players. And anyone wishing to donate to Macmillan can click here or MIND can click here.

To find out more about Man v Fat Crewe, visit the club’s official webpage.