It was the men from the North who were celebrating on Friday as they finished as narrow victors in this year’s Amazing Losers game.
Nearly 40 men from up and down the MAN v FAT community came together at the home of Leyton Orient for the 2025 fixture, with Steve Coppell and Brian McDermott in the dugouts to guide the lads through their afternoon.
Everyone participating had lost at least 30% of their bodyweight, with seven of the guys involved having surpassed 40% lost during their time with MAN v FAT.
Having been introduced to each other in team WhatsApp groups leading up to the big match, there was already a strong team spirit for the two sides ahead of kick-off and that bond showed on the pitch too, with a fluid and competitive 90 minutes with both teams playing some impressive football.
The first three goals in the game all came from distance, as the quality of finishes matched the play that preceded it.
Isle of Wight’s Ray Richardson had already cannoned a shot back off the post early in the game before the deadlock was broken on the half hour mark by Bournemouth’s Matt Waterman, who let fly from outside of the box to make it 1-0.
The South’s lead was to last just four minutes as another long range effort squared things up.
Warrington’s Harrison Devine, who was to be named XIs Player of the Year at the MAN v FAT Awards the next day, took aim and saw his shot squirm home past the keeper.
The North almost took the lead before half time as Dylan Painter, who also picked up silverware on Saturday as 2025’s Amazing Loser was denied by a fantastic save.
And the South got their noses in front just after half time as Richardson made up for his earlier disappointment by slotting home to make it 2-1 on 48 minutes.
The two teams traded chances and periods of dominance, but it looked like the victory might go to McDermott’s southern players.
The North were not to be denied, though, and shocked their opponents with a quickfire double just after the 80 minute mark.
First Bury’s Terry Smith whipped in a ball from the right that caught out the keeper to level things up, before Josh Heys from Bolton grabbed a winner with six minutes to go.
Coppell’s men then held firm for the remainder of the game to ensure that bragging rights went to the northern boys!
Thanks to all that participated in the game, the friends and family that attended and to Leyton Orient for hosting us.
