Local club hope to set up overweight league to improve mental and physical health

Denny Warriors are encouraging more teams to get involved as they look to set up a league for overweight men

Author: Andrew MacleanPublished 21st Apr 2022
Last updated 21st Apr 2022

Scottish football club Denny Warriors is appealing for more teams to assist in forming a league aimed at helping overweight men get out on the pitch.

Manager Gary Thorn started the club during lockdown two years ago in the hope of improving the mental and physical health of people like himself.

The club has seen a rapid growth and they now have around 40 members in total.

Thorn has been in touch with the Scottish Amateur Football Association (SAFA) in the hope of starting up a league for similar teams.

Denny Warriors are now on the hunt for other clubs to join them as they look to make their dream a reality.

Assistant manager John Howe said: "We want to share the success that we've had across central Scotland and potentially further afield.

"We've had some interest so far but what all we're really wanting is guys who are overweight, and maybe thought their chance had passed to play 11-a-side football, to come out on a Sunday morning and get an enjoyable game.

"I thought my days of playing any sort of competitive football were over.

"I'm a bigger guy, I'm 39-years old and it's just brilliant to say you're out playing football on a Sunday".

Denny Warriors are hopeful more men can get out on the pitch to help improve their mental and physical health.

Captain Barry Adamson says joining the club has turned his life around.

He said: "Mental health-wise, I suffered from depression for a years.

"Since I got involved with the boys it has been great and personally one of the best things I've ever done.

"The banter we have with the boys is second-to-none. It's a great bunch of guys".