Latest news with #PaulMerson
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Man who lost half his body weight praised by football legend
A MAN who lost almost half his body weight after joining a football team won a national award for his achievement - and joked with a soccer legend at the ceremony. Max Shearer, 27, who lives in Weymouth, made news last year after losing 10 stone in 15 months through MAN V FAT Weymouth, an FA-accredited football-based healthy lifestyle programme. He made the decision to lose weight after he broke two office chairs in his workplace and is now close to losing 50 per cent of his body weight. He has since lost an impressive total of 12.5 stone, just half a stone short of 50 per cent of his body weight. For his achievements, he was named Most Valuable Player at the national awards for the programme, receiving his award from former England and Arsenal player Paul Merson at a special event at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. The Most Valuable Player is defined as the one person a club can't do without - the top contributor on the pitch, on the scales or in other weekly challenges. Max Shearer with Paul Merson at the MAN V FAT awards in London (Image: MAN V FAT) Talking about the awards ceremony, Max said: "We had a massive football game called the Amazing Losers game due to the fact that we have lost the most weight which was great fun before the awards the next day. "I was up for two awards, this and the Amazing Loser award, and wasn't expecting to win. I'm a Spurs fan so I had to put Paul Merson in his place after we won another European trophy but it was great banter and an insane experience." Speaking again about his journey, Max said: 'When I broke the first chair, my work colleagues just told me they were old or rubbish chairs but the second time it happened, it was clear there was a reason why those chairs broke so easily. I was exploring various avenues about how I could lose weight and then MAN v FAT was recommended by a man at the local gym.' Max says it has been the accountability and the community that meant he kept going every week: 'The support and everything they gave me, not just with losing weight but also mental health was the reason I kept coming back every week. 'It's a subject that isn't noticed enough when it comes to men's weight loss. But the accountability and the community gave me support in so many aspects of my life other than just weight loss. MAN v FAT Weymouth is such an incredible group of guys, and I really would encourage anyone to take that first step at join MAN v FAT. It is so worth it.' Max before his weight loss journey (Image: Max Shearer) The next target for Max is to reach his 50 per cent weight loss milestone: 'I'm about a few kilograms away from my 50 per cent and that would be a real achievement but if I can inspire anyone to try and go on a similar route that would be great. 'I'm now approaching a much healthier body weight and anyone who can do that, they are the real winners. It doesn't matter what shiny trophy you get - if you're becoming fitter and healthier, that is the real win.' Around 8,500 men currently take part at more than 150 MAN v FAT Football clubs across the UK. Aimed at men with a BMI of higher than 27.5, the total amount of weight lost by MAN v FAT players in the UK currently stands at more than 800,000 pounds. At sessions, players are weighed, this is followed by a 30-minute game of six-a-side football, with extra goal bonuses awarded to teams based on their weight loss. A team's total weight loss and match scores then contribute to its position within a club's overall league table The Weymouth club meets on Monday evenings at the Redlands Community Sports Hub, Dorchester Road. To find out more about MAN v FAT Football and to locate your closest club, visit
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Thierry Henry calls out Mikel Arteta for his lack of trophies - as Arsenal legend makes stark comparison with Man United
Thierry Henry insists Mikel Arteta should be doing better with Arsenal and challenging more robustly for silverware. The Gunners legend believes fans have a right to question the manager after three seasons of being second-best - and five without a proper trophy. Arteta has restored Arsenal to the elite since taking over in December 2019 but has only lifted one competitive trophy - the FA Cup in that first season - and two Community Shields. Their growing reputation as nearlymen has led to pundits piling the pressure on the Spaniard, with Paul Merson suggesting he could be sacked by Christmas if they are not in the hunt for the Premier League. Now Henry has weighed in and made a pointed remark with Manchester United, who are still reaching and winning finals despite their almighty slump. 'I'm not saying that I'm disappointed with Arsenal, but it's normal that people are raising questions now about what the team is doing,' Henry told the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet. 'I understand that at the very beginning [for Mikel Arteta] you arrive and it's not your team, you need at the very least three or four transfer windows to change everything that you want to. 'It takes time and you have to give a manager time to be able to implement what he wants to do. 'Now, for the last three years Arsenal have been in a situation where they should have at least brought one cup in or a final. 'Manchester United have played in five finals in the last five years, the United that everyone laughs at, whereas for Arsenal in the last three years of building, they've not reached a final. 'So, I do understand when people ask the question, "Surely you should compete for a trophy?" There is little doubting Arteta's transformative effect on Arsenal and it is worth highlighting their plight before he came in. The Gunners had finished outside the top four for three consecutive seasons when he came in but, after some teething issues, he has them back near the top. Arteta has gutted the dressing room of problematic personalities and instilled the players with belief that they can compete for the highets honours. Twice they have come close to winning the Premier League - last season they finished on 89 points, which would have been enough this time - and this campoaign they reached the semi-finals of the Champions League after thrashing Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate. Amid some devastating injuries, they have retained their record as the side with the best defensive record for another season and played attractive football going forward. But the truth stands that Man United, going through a downbeat era, have still won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in the last five seasons, also reaching another final of football's oldest competition and the last two of the Europa League twice. Jamie Carragher also believes Arteta is under pressure to deliver another trinket. 'This season felt like it should have been their season,' the Liverpool icon recently told Sky Sports. 'There's no doubt next season that the pressure will be on Mikel Arteta massively in terms of winning something and winning something big. 'The Arsenal board, if they don't [win a major trophy], will have a massive issue because they won't want to change their manager, but there will be that many people saying: five or six years without a trophy. 'They will be looking at how many managers can make that next step.'
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Paul Merson has telling response to Arsenal or Spurs 'better season' question
Paul Merson has suggested that Tottenham may have had a better season than Arsenal after landing the Europa League whilst the Gunners remain trophyless since 2020 Paul Merson has confessed that it is "all about winning trophies" as he was asked to determine who'd had the better season, Tottenham or Arsenal in light of the Europa League final. Those on the white side of north London are currently basking in European glory. They downed Manchester United in Bilbao, ending a 17-year trophy drought in the process. Their European form has covered for an horrendous Premier League season, which has them down in 17th. However the capture of a trophy has changed the narrative. Arsenal meanwhile, who completed a league double over Tottenham, have finished second and reached the last four of the Champions League. However their wait for silverware, which goes back to 2020, has rolled over after they fell short again. Mikel Arteta's side struggled to mount a genuine title charge and the Spaniard is coming under increasing pressure to deliver given the investment he's had in his squad. Tottenham are currently enjoying some bragging rights following the Europa League final. And now Merson has suggested that landing a trophy means that those in white may be able to boast about having the better year despite Arsenal sitting 15 places and 33 points ahead of their neighbours. He told Sky Sports: "Who's the best Messi or Ronaldo? Split it down the middle. For me it is all about winning trophies, I played to win trophies. I was in teams to win trophies, not come second, third or fourth. When you're at top clubs are you're not winning trophies it becomes a disappointment. Split everybody down the middle. "They had a great week Tottenham, but Arsenal have had a good season, getting to the semi-finals and finishing second but they haven't won anything. For me, it is all about winning." Arteta, who congratulated Tottenham on their success, was quizzed on whether their local rivals had enjoyed a better year, but refused to be drawn on such comparisons. "I don't like to compare with other teams," he said. "I need to analyse my team - that's my job". The Arsenal boss has recently had to defend the lack of silverware that's arrived at the Emirates. Their last trophy was the FA Cup. Their last Premier League triumph was 2004. But Arteta has said: "Winning trophies as well is about being in the right moment, in the right place." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Mikel Arteta will be sacked by Christmas if Arsenal are not in top two, warns former Gunners star
ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta could be sacked come Christmas next season. That is according to a club legend who insists the Gunners will have to be at least second in the Premier League table before the New Year or may have to find a new manager. 2 The North Londoners are set to finish as runners-up for the third year in a row and many argue Arteta, 43, is facing a make-or-break campaign next term with the club longing for a title. Arsenal haven't won the Premiership since 2004 and questions have started to rise regarding the Spanish tactician's ability to lead them to the top. Especially after some questionable decisions, such as not signing a natural striker - a matter that is expected to be resolved in the summer with the likes of Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko targeted. And Paul Merson is adamant Arteta has only got until Christmas to convince the board he can be the first manager to win a Premier League title in the post-Arsene Wenger era. Merson, 57, insists the Arsenal manager can't hide behind any excuses as the club is more than capable of attracting top-level players. And four seasons without a title, despite all the quality in the squad, will purely not be good enough. Merson told Sky Sports: "That would be my worry: I think Arteta has got until Christmas. They will have to be in the top two at Christmas to keep on going. "If you get to four [seasons without any major trophies], you can't [keep going]. "People want to come to Arsenal so it's not like they're scratching to get players – and they've got the money. "For me, next year he's got to be in the top two by Christmas or they'll go for someone else. 'It's timings. You have timings, you've got to make opportunities. "When it's your time, you've got to make it count. Look at Liverpool, they went 30 years without a title and then all of a sudden it comes around - they win trophies. 'I just think they have to make it count and I think this is the last year."
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Paul Merson reveals which Premier League giant he 'worries for' in top five race ahead of crucial final day of the season but Jamie Redknapp disagrees
Paul Merson has admitted he is worried about Manchester City 's top-five hopes as the Premier League season heads for a thrilling final-day finish — but fellow pundit Jamie Redknapp believes Chelsea are in greater danger of missing out on Champions League qualification. The Sky Sports duo were reacting after Arsenal 's 1-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday, a result that moved the Gunners closer to securing second place behind Liverpool. Attention now turns to the congested battle for third, fourth and fifth – with five teams separated by just one point heading into the final week of fixtures. Newcastle, Chelsea and Aston Villa all sit on 66 points, while Manchester City and Nottingham Forest are just behind on 65. The top five clubs in England's top flight will qualify for next season's Champions League via their final position. They will also be joined by either Manchester United or Tottenham, depending on who wins Wednesday's Europa League final in Bilbao. Merson, speaking after Declan Rice's first-half strike settled a tense encounter at the Emirates on Sunday, said City's recent form should concern supporters. Pep Guardiola's men lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace in Saturday's FA Cup final at Wembley. 'Chelsea are fourth, if they get beat they could end up seventh,' Merson said. 'I'd have to go with Newcastle safe because Everton haven't got a lot to play for. 'My worry is Man City. They've failed to score in their last two games, they've got Bournemouth coming up and that's a dangerous game. If they don't get anything out of it, it's out of their hands. All you can ask for is it to be in your hands – and right now, it's only in Newcastle, Chelsea and Man City's hands as we talk.' Just one point separates third place from seventh spot going into the final week of the season Redknapp agreed that City face a tricky test but believes Chelsea are in the most danger, with a daunting trip to Nottingham Forest on the final day. ' Bournemouth are an excellent side and it's not exactly going to be party time at Man City after yesterday's result,' he said, referencing Saturday's Wembley defeat by Palace. 'They're going to have to create the atmosphere themselves, it won't be easy. They've got two tough games. Fulham won again today and they're going to want to finish as high as possible. 'I think Chelsea have got the toughest game – to go to Forest, that's a really difficult game. It's going to be tight, this – anything can still happen. It will be Kevin De Bruyne's last game and he's going to want to go out on a high. I still think they'll do it, but it's not going to be easy by any stretch.' Forest, fresh from a 2-1 win at West Ham, are unbeaten in their last four league games and could leapfrog Chelsea with a win at the City Ground next weekend. Redknapp also tipped Villa to take advantage of their remaining fixture – away to Manchester United – describing it as the 'easiest' of the final games. City, who have a game in hand, face Bournemouth on Tuesday before travelling to Fulham on the final day. Chelsea must win at Forest, while Newcastle will hope to get the job done at home to Liverpool. Les Ferdinand, also in the Sky Sports studio on Sunday, backed Guardiola's men to recover from their Wembley disappointment. 'I think they'll do it,' he said. 'It's City. We know they can produce and turn up when they need to.'
