Teesside Erimus FC, which was founded in July 2022, has an ethos that places more importance on participation and development than results, helping men lose weight and get fit.
The club celebrated winning the league after an unbeaten first season by beating York MVF 4-3 at Redcar Town’s Mo Mowlam Memorial Park at the weekend.
Adam Cree, vice-chairman and treasurer at Teesside Erimus FC, said: “We started Teesside Erimus FC with the aim of giving anybody, no matter what their level, a chance to play the sport we all love.
“Our main aim wasn’t just to win football matches or titles, but to make sure that our players enjoyed their football and had an opportunity to show their talent.
“Our members have lost just under 2,000lbs in weight since we started – that’s almost a ton – which is an incredible achievement in such a short period of time.”
He added: “We started with an original 23 members and to date we’ve had over 100, with some progressing to regular Saturday or Sunday league football elsewhere.
“Seeing all that hard work come together on Sunday was a special moment for everyone connected with the club.
“There was a great turnout – players, friends and families, all celebrating what we’ve managed to achieve.”
Teesside Erimus FC has given its members the chance to experience training days at St George’s Park, the home of England Football, and has even played at the Riverside Stadium.
The club also boasts a midweek wellbeing league, giving men the chance to lose weight and get fit through 5-a-side football, with teammates supporting each other in challenges that promote healthy eating, active lifestyles, and mental wellbeing.
The club offers a relaxed training session on Monday evenings and players can join the 11-a-side team for fitness and tactical coaching sessions on Fridays, delivered by Grangetown Boys Club’s Men’s First Team Manager Curtis Collantine, who also manages Teesside Erimus in its league fixtures.
The 11-a-side team competes in the Yorkshire XL11s league which was formed for the 2023/24 season, taking on teams from Bradford, Leeds, Harrogate, Newcastle, York, and Wakefield that share a similar ethos.
In its early friendly games, the club suffered heavy defeats but with determination, skill, and effort it won the competition at its first try.
Erimus will now join the top four teams from each region of England to compete in a national cup competition for the remainder of the football calendar.
Martin Walker, club chairman, said: “We’ve done all we can to support players to have the opportunity to develop their skills, fitness, and friendships.
“With the addition of Curtis, we’ve taken our training to the next level and built a fantastic team spirit.
“The lads have shown a real will to improve and commit to stay active and make healthy life changes that see the benefits go beyond the football pitch.
“The success we’ve had this season in the league, going unbeaten, is just the icing on the cake.
“We also have a social team that engages every player, and everybody gets to play 11s football, and as a club, these are just as important to help men achieve their goals.
“We want Teesside Erimus FC to keep growing, and we are committed to helping men tackle obesity and mental health through football, making positive changes to their lives.
“It’s important to say thank you to everyone who has been a part of our journey so far; sponsors, supporters, and past members who have moved on.
“Everybody has contributed to where we are today.”
Anyone interested in improving their physical or mental wellbeing through football, whatever your skill or fitness level, can be a part of the club.
Just visit www.teessideerimusfc.com or search Teesside Erimus FC on Facebook and send them a message.
