With Aberdeen FC winning the League Cup at ParkRED in March of the 2013/14, some fans could be forgiven that it might take a couple of seasons to better, but last season proved to be life changing for 2 fans in particular, now good friends, thanks to the Football Fans In Training (FFIT) programme delivered by Aberdeen FC Community Trust (AFCCT).

Dougie Henderson and Stephen Harvey have had some great times this season after meeting at the Football Fans In Training programme, and here we hear how they came about getting involved with the programme, the Community Trust, and what changes it has made on their lives.
 
Football Fans In Training is a 13 week programme delivered at Pittodrie, designed to help men between the ages of 35 – 65 lose weight, get fitter, and make positive lifestyle choices in a group setting of like-minded people. Based around nutritional education and fitness sessions in the stadium, the Football Fans who take part in the programme can really make positive changes. But being involved can also lead to much more opportunities – playing and scoring at Hampden in front of 20,000 Dons Fans, making the League Cup draw with Dons legend Joey Harper, losing weight, making new friends, walking out on the Pittodrie Pitch, getting more fun time with the family, and so much more has happened. Dougie and Stephen tells us all about their journey.
 
Dougie signed up for the FFIT programme in 2012 and has never looked back. From quitting smoking on night 1, Dougie went on to shed 5 stone in under a year, with FFIT being the catalyst for a huge lifestyle change. But the change wasn't simply physical, Dougie started volunteering with AFC In The Community (prior to AFCCT forming) and he helped at Walking Football, helped deliver FFIT, and more importantly he spread the word and told his story to anyone who would listen – including a celebration event for FFIT at Pittodrie Stadium. He speaks fondly of the FFIT programme to this day, saying “It was two and a half years ago I nervously walked in to the hallowed ground, into the Players Lounge through the players entrance at Pittodrie stadium. “I had signed up to the FFIT program to lose weight and get fit and this 12 week program at MY football club in MY football club was just too exciting to miss. The program did everything it promised, a return for hard work and discipline, motivated by the fact I was doing this at the first love of my life AFC. I successfully lost 3 stone during the 12 weeks and just under 5 before the year was out. I also very importantly stopped smoking in week 1 and haven't smoked since”.
 
Sadly Dougie last year had a health scare while on holiday in France, and he missed helping out at a FFIT for the first time since he completed the curse. However, in September 2014 he was back helping at FFIT and this was going to be his new start again. This is where Dougie met Stephen Harvey.
 
Stephen Harvey had just signed him and his son up for Dons Family In Training (DFIT) when he decided to take the plunge and sign up for FFIT too. And he thoroughly enjoyed the programmes. He said “The attraction for me was meeting & working in a group of like-minded individuals. All blokes that supported the Dons, but that maybe didn’t get as much exercise as they should or eat as well as they could, and maybe just needed a wee bit of guidance & encouragement to get a healthier lifestyle kick started. FFIT gave us all that…and much more!”
 
The highlight of the season for the pair had to be the Hampden experience, where they were selected to take part in the half time 10 second challenge when Aberdeen played Dundee United in the League Cup semi-final in February. And without Dougie 'having a word' with Stephen he might have not taken part. Stephen had to undergo surgery on both hips previously and he was concerned too much high impact activity could cause damage. He said “Initially when told I’d been selected I was a bag of nerves & worried I’d hurt myself/let folk down, but through encouragement from others (thanks Dougie!) I was able to take part & now have a memory of a day that’ll last a lifetime”

 
Stephen goes on to talk about how he enjoyed the day, and said ” The whole Hampden experience was surreal” he remembered fondly. “From being selected to take part, arriving at Hampden & being treated like a VIP for the day, to getting changed & standing in the tunnel waiting to go out on the hallowed turf while the game raged on, and then those words of encouragement I’ll never forget from McInnes & Doc as they headed for the dressing room past us at half time…all very surreal!”
 
Dougie said that the Hampden Experience was something dreams are made of, as he talked through his goal. He recalled “I ran forward, picked my spot in the corner as I had been advised to do by Liam Duncan at the Trust office and was overcome with relief, unbridled joy, bursting with pride I ran and ran as 20000 Aberdeen fans chanted Doogie! Doogie! Doogie! Truly amazing life defining memory that I will never ever EVER forget!”
 
The pair now also continue to take their health seriously, and are the founders of the self-proclaimed group 'Badminton Fans In Training” were they try to meet up on a weekly basis to play badminton with other graduates from FFIT. And they have a great time doing so.
 
They also recently took part in the AFCCT and SFA MARS Walking Football/Futsal pilot session at Hazelhead Academy, which was facilitated by Harley Hamdani – SFA Equity Officer based at AFCCT.  Harley said “Dougie and Stephen really enjoyed the sessions, and were great ambassadors throughout the programme. We had men there from all over the world who maybe hadn’t kicked a ball before so it was great they helped them. But also, they seemed to really enjoy the social interaction that comes with Physical Activity”.
 
The season finished on a high for the Hampden Hero's, by getting paraded at Pittodrie Stadium with the FFIT team who had won at Hampden. With Stephen's son Thomas, who took part in DFIT too, being the mascot for the day. It really showed we are a Family Club when Thomas was invited to join the guys. It's been brilliant for him as well.” With Thomas adding “Aberdeen FC Community Trust is great – COYR” with Dougie adding “The Trust does exactly what it promises, it provides support and opportunity and DOES change lives for the better!”
 
FFIT will be returning in the new season, for more information then please contact Senior Community Project Officer David Smith on 01224 650456