It has been a successful year for an Isle of Wight MAN v FAT football club, after securing a play-off final win and being named the Regional Club of the Year.

The Sandown-based club, which has more than 60 members, recently reached a collective weight loss milestone of one tonne in weight (1,000kg).

The success of the Sandown club led to the IW Council’s public health team – who were awarded Regional Partner of the Year – to launch a new MAN v FAT club in Cowes.

Isle of Wight County Press: The Sandown club in action earlier in the seasonThe Sandown club in action earlier in the season (Image: Contributions)

Coach Colin Jackson, who was shortlisted for Regional Coach of the Year, but just missed out, said: “The last year has been one of growth.

“Following the departure of our original coach, we have had to rally for new members, everyone chipped in and spent time at various local events promoting the club.

“There isn't a single bad apple in the bunch, all are very welcoming and encouraging to new players and everyone has each other’s back if they have a bad week.

“My personal highlight from the last year was handing out my first 25 per cent weight-loss certificate as a coach to one of our members, who has been through the ringer and worked really hard to get back in the saddle.

“As well as seeing people shift unwanted kilos, seeing the confidence of so many people grow is so rewarding.”

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Earlier this month, the IoW team faced Andover in the second division play-off final.

Only 15 minutes into the match, Rob Iley was brought down inside the box and Sam Yates stepped up to open the scoring.

IoW’s lead was doubled moments later when a long ball from Stu Beattie put Max Napier through on goal, whose shot was too strong for the Andover keeper to stop.

With half hour on the clock, Andy Wyatt supplied the assist for Napier’s second, who played a spinning hall ball past the keeper.

In the second half, the Islanders killed off the game, after a cracking shot from Chris Baker flew into the net from the edge of the box.

The final goal of the game came around 20 minutes from time, with Napier completing his hattrick – calmly slotting the ball beyond the keeper.

The award-winning IoW club will have this summer to prepare for a tougher test in the first division next season.