Our Welsh neighborhood has been a longstanding success story for MAN v FAT with a bunch of vibrant golf equipment representing one of the best of what we do throughout the programme.
2026 has not solely seen the Welsh golf equipment effectively represented throughout the Awards shortlists, however they’ve additionally received a bunch of illustration on this yr’s Wonderful Losers squads.
These lads will little doubt take pleasure in being managed by Neville Southall and, forward of this yr’s occasions, we caught up with Cardiff and Newport coach James Stanford to speak about their constructive story.
1) How proud are you of the lads who’ve obtained nominations, the nominations you’ve obtained at membership stage and the way has this been obtained by the neighborhood?
Unbelievably proud. I’m fortunate to be the coach of two superb golf equipment in South Wales, with sensible gamers and distinctive assistant coaches. Each golf equipment have actually been proud of their nominations.
MAN v FAT Soccer Cardiff has been going since 2018 – one of many longest operating golf equipment within the UK. In South Wales now we have so many superb golf equipment it’s all the time arduous to face out, however this yr we’ve actually good run of issues and are reaping the rewards. A Membership of the 12 months nomination has simply topped off a fantastic yr.
At MAN v FAT Soccer Newport I’ve the most effective groups I’ve ever coached in Fatletitgo Madri. They’re such a dedicated bunch. They’ve been collectively in every little thing they’ve come up towards, together with the unhappy dying of a teammate’s spouse just some months in the past.
Lastly, now we have MAN v FAT Cardiff participant Nick Fudge – a stalwart of the league. Fudgie is completely the best man to be nominated as MVP. He galvanises the league and units the tone for the success now we have.
2) The Welsh golf equipment have all the time been on the forefront of what’s greatest about MAN v FAT – how have you ever stored that tradition going for thus lengthy?
I feel the large factor in South Wales is the sense of neighborhood. Throughout Cardiff, Newport, Merthyr Tydfil, Swansea and Bridgend there’s an actual togetherness between the golf equipment and the coaches. Everybody desires the identical factor for the lads – to really feel welcome, to take pleasure in their soccer and to enhance their well being.
At membership stage we’ve labored actually arduous to maintain issues pleasant, welcoming and constructive whereas nonetheless having that aggressive edge. Loads of that comes from the management throughout the leagues. We’ve received incredible captains and gamers who set the tone for others, and the WhatsApp teams are all the time filled with banter which helps construct that camaraderie.
It’s additionally about giving folks methods to attach past the weekly recreation. In Newport we’ve received a very thriving darts competitors occurring, and over time we’ve had golf days, strolling teams and different bits taking place too. These issues assist the lads construct actual friendships, and as soon as that occurs the tradition virtually takes care of itself.
3) You’re additionally effectively represented throughout the Wonderful Losers squads – speak to us in regards to the lads concerned and why you suppose the membership setting has given them the platform to succeed?
We’ve received some unimaginable tales popping out of the Welsh golf equipment and I’m actually proud that a number of of our lads are a part of the Wonderful Losers squads. From Cardiff you’ve received Andrew Millar, Igor Camara, Adam Watts, Alex Williams and David Quinn – and each one among them has achieved unbelievable weight reduction. Quinn, for instance, has misplaced over 77kg which is simply extraordinary.
From Newport we’ve received Jordan Lewis who has additionally accomplished one thing unimaginable, shedding over 50kg and greater than 40% of his physique weight. These sorts of transformations don’t occur by chance.
What all of them have in widespread is consistency and the help of the folks round them. They lead by instance for his or her groups and the broader leagues, and I feel the membership setting performs a large half in that. Whenever you’re surrounded by teammates who’re all working in direction of related objectives it pushes you to maintain going and offers you that accountability each week.
4) How a lot have the latest bits of stories given the lads a elevate going into 2026?
It’s positively given everybody a elevate. The nominations are nice recognition for the trouble that the lads and the volunteers put in week after week, and it’s all the time good when that will get observed.
On the similar time there’s already plenty of momentum going into 2026. Cardiff has grown to 10 groups now which is sensible to see, and throughout each leagues we’re seeing massive weight losses and plenty of gamers recommitting to their objectives for the brand new season.
The popularity helps, however what actually motivates the lads is seeing the progress taking place round them. Whenever you’ve received teammates hitting new milestones and golf equipment persevering with to develop, it naturally provides everybody that further push.
5) What are the following steps for the Welsh golf equipment and Cardiff and Newport specifically? How do you proceed to prosper?
The principle focus is continuous to develop whereas defending the tradition that makes the golf equipment particular. We wish to maintain bringing new gamers into the leagues, growing new captains and leaders throughout the groups, and ensuring everybody who walks by the door feels supported.
There’s additionally so much we will maintain constructing across the soccer. Neighborhood occasions, charity work and social competitions all assist strengthen the bonds between the lads and make the golf equipment greater than only a weekly recreation. On the similar time we wish to maintain pushing the aggressive facet as effectively with robust groups and competitions that the gamers can actually get behind.
For me personally each Cardiff and Newport maintain a particular place in my coronary heart. I’m fortunate to work with nice gamers and sensible assistant coaches at each golf equipment, and if we maintain specializing in supporting long-term weight reduction whereas retaining that neighborhood spirit alive, I’m assured each leagues will proceed to thrive.
Need to be a part of the lads?
In the event you’re eager to affix as much as both Cardiff or Newport, you’ll be able to go to www.manvfatfootball.com at the moment to get your self signed up!
