Mark Smithies dropped five stone in the MAN v FAT match – and now he’s helping others do the same at our very own Guildford club.
Meet Mark Smithies, from Guildford FC. Mark signed up with MAN v FAT in 2024, after realizing he was gaining weight, and decided he needed to make a change.
“For me, it was a build-up over time,” he explains. “I had been thinking for a while that I needed to do something about my weight and fitness, but it’s not always easy to find motivation on your own.
“So when I met MAN v FAT Football, it caught my attention. Football, a bit of banter, and a group of lads trying to better themselves, it sounded right up my street. I wasn’t striving for perfection, but I wanted to start making small, positive changes to help work towards my goals.”
Working towards his goals, Mark quickly found himself making progress towards his fitness goals. Not only did he begin to see improvements in his physical health, but he also began to see the benefits to his mental health. He continues: “Joining MAN v FAT Guildford has made a huge difference to me honestly, I’ve lost weight, gotten fitter and made great mates along the way. I look forward to it every week and it’s helped me stay active outside of football too.”
“Mentally, it’s been a real boost. Being part of such a positive and supportive group does so much to boost your confidence and mentality. It’s more than just football and a lifestyle, it’s a proper community, and I’m proud to represent MAN v FAT Football Guildford.”
All of this is made possible thanks to the supportive community at Guildford MAN v FAT Club. Mark credits the nature of the community with helping him reach the goals he set out to achieve, saying: “What I love most about the club is the people.
“You turn up every week, play a game, have a laugh, and before you know it, you’ve made some great friends who support you on your journey. Here at Guildford FC, there’s a good atmosphere every week.”
“Everyone is ready to laugh, there’s no judgement, and you feel part of a team from day one. The support and encouragement from the players, and even between the teams, is amazing. I’ve made lifelong friends here.”
Now, Mark has managed to lose over 36kg since joining MAN v FAT, and has risen to become the Guildford FC’s assistant coach. In this role, he aims to help others, in the same way the club has helped him, and strives to be part of driving the club forward.
Do you want to follow Mark’s example?
If you live in Surrey, we have funded places at our Guildford and Woking clubs, thanks to Surrey County Council and One You Surrey. To register, visit their club pages today!