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    Championship play-off final prize money 2025: How much do the winning team receive?

    THE Championship play-off final will take place TODAY with two of the second tier’s biggest sides battling for a spot in the Premier League.Sheffield Utd and Sunderland will go head-to-head in the blockbuster Wembley showpiece this afternoon.Sheffield United are eyeing an immediate Premier League returnCredit: Shutterstock EditorialDan Ballard’s last-minute header sent Sunderland through to the Championship play-off finalCredit: Shutterstock EditorialThe Blades booked their place in the play-off final with a comfortable win over Bristol City in the semis.Boyhood Sheffield United fan Chris Wilder is looking to lead his side to an immediate return to the top flight.Sunderland’s route to the final wasn’t quite as plain sailing with Dan Ballard’s dramatic 122nd-minute header securing a narrow 3-2 aggregate win over Frank Lampard’s Coventry.The Black Cats have had four seasons in League One during their 8-year Premier League exile, but today could be the day they end their much-anticipated wait for a top flight return.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhat is the Championship play-off final prize money?Sheffield Utd and Sunderland aren’t just battling it out for the right to play at Old Trafford, Anfield and the Emirates next season, but for the huge financial reward that comes with promotion to the Premier League.The winners of the Championship play-off final will receive a minimum of £200million – that’s £60m more than Southampton got last term.And the money doesn’t stop there, as whoever claims Premier League status will secure a share of the new domestic television deal, which is worth £6.7bn across four seasons.The Wembley winner will also receive centralised commercial fees, facility fees and merit payments.Most read in ChampionshipShould the play-off victor be relegated back down to the Championship, they would be entitled to parachute payments.Sheffield Utd and Sunderland will also take home a share of the gate receipts from the Wembley play-off final, which is an estimated £2m.Past Championship play-off final prize moneyIt’s safe to say the value of winning the Championship play-offs has significantly increased over the years.In 2005, West Ham received £31m for beating Preston in the final – that’s a mammoth £189m less than this year’s prize.Here is a look at how the value of the Championship play-off final has changed in the last two decades:2025 – £200m2024 – £140m2023 – £170m2022 – £170m2021 – £178m2020 – £135m2019 – £170m2018 – £160m2017 – £170m2016 – £170m2015 – £120m2014 – £80m2013 – £120m2012 – £90m2011 – £90m2010 – £90m2009 – £60m2008 – £60m2007 – £60m2006 – £40m2005 – £31mWhat TV channel are the EFL play-off finals and is there a live stream?All three play-off finals will be broadcast on Sky Sports.The matches will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.They can also be live streamed to customers on the Sky Go app and NOW TV.SunSport will have LIVE coverage of all three play-off finals as they happen. More

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    ‘Absolutely disgusting’ – Sunderland fans blasted after footage of how Trafalgar Square was left following party emerges

    SUNDERLAND fans were blasted for the “absolutely disgusting” state they left Trafalgar Square in.Black Cats supporters gathered in central London on Friday night to party ahead of Saturday’s Championship play-off final at Wembley.Sunderland fans left Trafalgar Square in a messCredit: X formerly TwitterBottles, cans, bags and litter were strewn across the floorCredit: X formerly TwitterThere was a major clear-up job left behindCredit: X formerly TwitterRival fans hit out at their Black Cats rivals for their selfishnessCredit: X formerly TwitterSunderland supporters took over Trafalgar Square on FridayCredit: ReutersThe game kicks off at 3.01pm – the one minute later due to an initiative with the Every Minute Matters, encouraging supporters to learn the life-saving skill of CPR.Regis Le Bris’ side face Sheffield United in the £190million match desperate to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017. And their fans made the most of their trip to the national stadium – by descending on Trafalgar Square the night before the big game.Thousands of Sunderland supporters gathered at the iconic London landmark to get in the mood ahead of the final – with some even getting in the fountain. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut after everyone had gone, video footage of the aftermath emerged – and makes for shocking viewing.The entire square was left littered with cans, bottles, plastic bags and other rubbish.In the video, a man can be heard saying: “Aye we’ve got to do better than this.”And plenty of football fans took to social media to slam the Sunderland fans for their selfish, horrible attitude and antics.Most read in ChampionshipCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOne labelled it “embarrassing”.Another wrote: “It looks awful.” Wild scenes in Naples as fans celebrate after Scott McTominay wins Serie A for NapoliA third replied: “Absolutely disgusting – @SunderlandAFC you should be ashamed of it, your club should be billed for the cleaning up.”And a final user simply wrote: “Vile.”In 2023, Newcastle fans were praised for helping clear up their mess at Trafalgar Square ahead of the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United.And Crystal Palace supporters drew similar adulation for the way they played their part to tidy the rubbish after last week’s jubilant FA Cup final.Sunderland saw off Frank Lampard’s Coventry in dramatic fashion to book their spot in the play-off final – with the winning goal in the 122nd minute.Black Cats midfielder Jobe Bellingham is hoping to enjoy his moment in the Wembley spotlight – a year on from his brother Jude lifting the Champions League trophy under the arch.For team-mate Enzo Le Fee, it promises to be an emotional day.He bravely opened up on finding his father dead in bed after he had taken his own life.Read More on The SunOn the other side, Sheffield United striker Kieffer Moore is relishing his chance to finally play on the hallowed turf – and is desperate to secure a hat-trick of promotions to the Premier League.And Premier League clubs will be supporting the Blades because victory for them would ensure a bumper £39m cash bonus windfall due to the parachute payments. Thousands of supporters gathered in central LondonCredit: The Mega AgencySome even got in the fountainCredit: ReutersThis fan held a flare in his mouthCredit: ReutersSunderland fans stayed put until after darkCredit: ReutersThe Black Cats followers will be hoping for more partying after the play-off finalCredit: Reuters More

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    Why are the EFL play-off finals kicking off a minute later?

    SUNDERLAND and Sheffield United will meet in one of the biggest games on the English football calendar.A place in the Premier League awaits either the Blades or the Black Cats, with Chris Wilder’s side eyeing an immediate return to the top flight.Daniel Ballard headed Sunderland to Wembley with a last minute winner vs CoventryCredit: Scott Llewellyn | MI NewsChris Wilder is looking to guide Sheffield United straight back to the Premier LeagueCredit: Nick Potts/PA Wire.Charlton and London rivals Leyton Orient will meet in the League One play-off finalCredit: GettyWimbledon will take on Walsall in the League Two play-off finalCredit: Tom West | MI NewsRegis Le Bris is hoping to guide Sunderland back to the Premier League for the first time since 2016/17. The Championship play-off final is just one of three promotion deciders happening at Wembley over Bank Holiday weekend, with the League One and League Two play-off finals also occurring.League One sees an all-London affair, as Charlton and Leyton Orient both look to book their place alongside Wrexham and Birmingham in the Championship next season.In League Two, either Walsall or Wimbledon will be joining Doncaster, Port Vale and Bradford in League One next season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSunSport can reveal why these games are starting one minute later than usual. Why are the EFL play-off finals starting a minute later?The kick-off times have been moved back one minute to promote the Every Minute Matters campaign.The campaign is a collaboration between EFL sponsors Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation, which aims to get supporters to learn CPR.More than 270,000 people have already learned the life-saving skill thanks to the campaign, which launched during last season’s play-offs.Most read in EFLAs a result, the three play-off finals will now have amended kick-off times:Sat, May 24: Sheffield United vs Sunderland – 3:01pm BSTSun, May 25: Charlton vs Leyton Orient – 1:01pm BST Mon, May 26: Wimbledon vs Walsall – 3:01pm BSTWhat TV channel are the EFL play-off finals and is there a live stream?All three play-off finals will be aired by Sky Sports.The matches will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.They can also be live streamed to customers on the Sky Go app and NOW TV.SunSport will have live coverage of all three matches. More

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    Why every Premier League club will be supporting Sheff Utd over Sunderland in the Championship play-off final

    THE Championship play-off final is already the richest game in football. Either Sheffield United or Sunderland will be £190million richer as a result of winning at Wembley today.Sheffield United winning promotion would lead to a bumper cash windfall for Premier League clubsCredit: GettyThe game kicks off at 3.01pm – the one minute later due to an initiative with the Every Minute Matters, encouraging supporters to learn the life-saving skill of CPR.But come 5pm, it will not just be the Blades fans hoping Chris Wilder’s side have secured victory and snatching the 20th spot in the 2025-26 Premier League season. That is because every remaining Premier League club will also be supporting United against Sunderland. As explained by football finance expert Kieran Maguire, Sheffield United returning to the Premier League will see the rest of the Premier League entitled to a £39million windfall.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThat is because Premier League rules state clubs are entitled to three years of parachute payments upon relegation from the top flight – two years if they were relegated immediately after promotion. The parachute payments are 55 per cent, 45 per cent and 20 per cent of the equal share elements of the Premier League distribution to its member clubs.Maguire confirmed this is £48m, £39m and £17m respectively across the three years of payments. However, if a Championship club due to receive parachute payments are promoted back to the Premier League within those three years, they do not get given the outstanding money. Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSInstead, the cash is kept by the Premier League who then distribute it to their own clubs. After being relegated in 2023-24, Sheffield United received £45m this season and were due to pocket another £39m next season.’Absolutely disgusting’ – Sunderland fans blasted after footage of how Trafalgar Square was left following party emergesHowever, the Premier League will not have to shell out that money should the Blades return to the top table for 2025-26. Leeds and Burnley’s promotions also saved the Premier League £17m and £39m respectively in parachute payments not needing to be paid. That means a total saving of £95m in parachute payments through promotion. Meanwhile, Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton were all relegated immediately after being promoted.That ensures all three clubs are ineligible for the £17m third-year parachute payments, slashing a further £51m from the Premier League’s expenditure.It all means the Premier League could save a whopping £146m overall – which will be shared among the top 20 clubs, who would each receive a bumper bonus. Sheffield United booked their spot in the final having fallen away from Burnley and Leeds in the automatic spots – but breezed past Bristol City 6-0 on aggregate in the play-off semi-finals.Sunderland saw off Frank Lampard’s Coventry in dramatic fashion – with the winning goal in the 122nd minute. Black Cats midfielder Jobe Bellingham is hoping to enjoy his moment in the Wembley spotlight – a year on from his brother Jude lifting the Champions League trophy under the arch. For team-mate Enzo Le Fee, it promises to be an emotional day. Read More on The SunHe bravely opened up on finding his father dead in bed after he took his own life.On the other side, Blades striker Kieffer Moore is relishing his chance to finally play on the hallowed turf – and is desperate to secure a hat-trick of promotions to the Premier League. More

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    I needed emergency surgery last time I was meant to play at Wembley – now’s my time to shine in £200MILLION final

    KIEFFER MOORE today finally fulfils his dream to play at Wembley as he aims to complete a hat-trick of promotions to the Premier League.The Sheffield United striker was cruelly robbed of the chance to tread the hallowed turf nine years ago.Sheffield United’s Kieffer Moore will be hoping for yet another happy visit to WembleyCredit: GETTYThe 32-year-old has twice won promotion at the home of English footballCredit: GETTYKieffer Moore is confident of Sheffield United’s chances of returning to the PremCredit: PASheffield United signed Moore from Ipswich in July and were unlucky not to go up automatically.They finished on 90 points — after having two deducted for defaulting on transfer payments — and were only kept out of the top two by Leeds and Burnley both hitting a staggering 100 points.But three defeats in a week to Oxford, Millwall and Plymouth killed off their automatic promotion hopes in April.Moore said: “Our season got defined by that bad week but we’ve accepted that and reset ourselves. We know what we’ve got to do.”Lifelong Sheffield United fan Chris Wilder is looking to be the first Blades manager to earn three promotions at the club, getting them to the Championship in 2017 and Prem in 2019.Read More on The SunBut he will have to end the club’s play-off curse, that currently stands at NINE failures.Moore said: “He drums into you what it means to the fans, the city and everyone involved — it’s a privilege.” More

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    Jobe Bellingham ready to step out of brother Jude’s shadow and ‘explode’ for Sunderland in Championship play-off final

    LAST year it was Jude Bellingham enjoying his crowning moment at Wembley Stadium.Now younger brother Jobe is preparing for his own date with destiny under the arch.Jude Bellingham celebrated winning the Champions League a year ago with his brother JobeCredit: RexNow Jobe has the chance to clinch glory at WembleyCredit: GettyIt was on June 1, 2024 that England ace Bellingham, 21, celebrated lifting the Champions League with Real Madrid.Jobe, 19, was at Wembley to watch Jude officially announce himself as a world superstar — and the brothers celebrated together on the pitch afterwards.But, 358 days later, it is the Sunderland star who now has the opportunity to become the first Bellingham to make it to the Premier League.Jude’s path from Birmingham City to Madrid via Dortmund is known up and down the land.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThough it started in the same Brum academy, Jobe is doing things differently.And despite the difficulties of following in his brother’s footsteps, he  is forging his own identity after a brilliant season on Wearside.SunSport columnist Troy Deeney, who knows the Bellingham brothers from his time at St Andrew’s, said: “Jobe is going to be on the biggest stage against a Premier League-worthy team in Sheffield United. Everyone is going to be looking at him.“Maybe this is Jobe’s chance to finally step out of his brother’s shadow. I hope he shows everyone what he is capable of.Most read in ChampionshipJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS“He’s a top, top player. He’s going to be a machine. I was at the play-off semi-final second leg at Coventry and as the game went on he got stronger, not weaker.“They’ve got this thing — Jobe and Jude — where it’s time to dig in and they explode.“He’s tweaked his game a little bit as well this year. He’s gone a bit more defensive.“When he came through at Birmingham, he was a No 10, driving into the box. Now he’s more of a No 8. Breaking up the play, getting box to box, coming up with goals.”The talented teen has been a key part of the Black Cats’ promotion charge, all the while playing in a new role.Jobe, who left Birmingham for the Stadium of Light in 2023, was deployed as a false nine for the majority of his first season and scored seven times.The stats back up how he has become one of the best midfielders in the Championship. With 47 chances created and 78 tackles won, he is making a difference at both ends of the pitch.Jobe is one game away from being the first Bellingham in the Premier LeagueCredit: AFPJobe has impressed breaking up play in a deeper midfield roleCredit: Shutterstock EditorialWhile his four goals and three assists are not to be sniffed at either, it is with each passing defensive performance that he is finding his home.Jobe has made 221 recoveries this term to add to the chances he has made, numbers that highlight just how much of a box-to-box man he has become.And this was never more evident than in the two-legged play-off semi-final triumph over Coventry with the eyes of the world on him.He won six aerial duels, made 12 clearances and produced 11 defensive actions — including a tremendous block to deny Haji Wright a late first-leg equaliser.Sunderland legend Michael Bridges, a three-time promotion winner with the club, said: “He’s shown with the position change that he’s a key player in what Regis Le Bris is trying to do, and we are reaping the benefits.“Certain players have an aura of intimidation about them.“I look at Jobe and think he’s got this presence and people are fearful of him because of his engine and quality on the ball.“He’s a coach and manager’s dream because he’s embraced it so much. The world’s his oyster.“I would hate to think he’s going to be living in his brother’s shadow but, unfortunately, that’s the world that we live in.“We’ll ask if he can emulate Jude and who are we to say that he can’t?“He’s got every opportunity as long as he stays injury free and focused on his game and off-the-field antics don’t distract him.”As his admirers continue to grow, it could even be argued his attributes would perfectly complement Jude’s if they ever lined up together in the middle of the park.That could happen one day for England but, for now, Jobe is looking to next month’s European Under-21s Championship.Borussia Dortmund already have eyes on luring another Bellingham to blossom with them in Germany, while even more clubs across the continent will be monitoring his displays over the coming weeks.There seems to be a mounting feeling that no matter what, this weekend’s Wembley showdown could be his last for Sunderland.Read More on The SunHowever, the Black Cats will hope that securing a return to the top flight after eight years could keep him for at least another season.Even with Dortmund in pole position for the £25million-rated star, the prospect of being the first Bellingham to dazzle in the Premier League could just be too tantalising to resist for Jobe.Jobe could follow in his brother’s footsteps and sign for DortmundCredit: PA More

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    I’m a League One star targeting Wembley glory with Charlton in play-off final – but I’m also training to be a PILOT

    WILL MANNION has been training to become an aeroplane pilot.And the keeper hopes his Charlton team will be flying in tomorrow’s play-off final against Leyton Orient – before landing a place in the Championship.Will Mannion is targeting promotion to the Championship with CharltonCredit: GettyThe keeper is a pilot in his spare time away from the pitchCredit: AlamyThe 27-year-old has already done 15 hours of flying lessons and is a third of the way through being able to fly solo.Mannion told SunSport: “I was 14 when I took my first lesson. It was something I was going to do properly if football didn’t work but thankfully it did.”Now it’s something I want to do after football. I’m going to do more lessons so I can get my Private Pilot Licence in the next couple of years.”I’ve been flying Cessna 172 planes, which are like a four-seater washing machine with wings! I’ve got a fair way to go yet.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”When I was at my last club Cambridge, I flew out of RAF Duxford, which was awesome because you would have Spitfires taking off in front of you!”It’s hard to describe the feeling of flying a plane. I would liken it to riding a bike in the sky!”It’s intuitive when you’re up there with the controls.”It’s not as scary as people think. It’s fun, especially when ­taking off and landing.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”Although taking off and landing are the two hardest things because that is where things can most likely go wrong.”But I’m never frightened, you just have to know what you’re doing.Ex-Rangers star Greg Docherty sends message to his dad following Charlton Play-Off semi-final victory”The plan is to get more lessons locally. Biggin Hill isn’t too far away so will probably fly out of there.”Mannion cannot pinpoint why he fell in love with aviation but he then took it up in case a football career did not pan out.And now he is contemplating a career in the sky when his days in football are over.He added: “The next stage for me is to go out solo. I’ve got to do around 45 hours to get my licence.”The great thing is it’s not something you need to do by a certain deadline, you can just chip away at it in your own time.It was something I was going to do properly if football didn’t work but thankfully it did.Will Mannion”There are various exams — theory and practical — you must do. Then I can be in a position to just take a plane out for leisure at the weekend or on my days off.”But that is only the first stage.”There are quite a few more exams before you can fly a plane for easyJet.”At this stage I don’t know how far I’d go with it but might consider working in the commercial airline industry one day!”Back on the ground, Charlton have the chance to return to the Championship after five years stuck in League One.Mannion has played a crucial role in helping the Addicks reach this Wembley final – having kept a club-record TWENTY-FIVE clean sheets this season.Not bad for a keeper who only joined last summer from Cambridge.He said: “To have played in as many games, finish fourth, play like we have as a team and keep as many clean sheets has been massive.”It’s not something I predicted when I came but as the season progressed you could see we were a solid defensive unit and it paid off in terms of our league position and reaching a Wembley play-off final.It will be surreal but it’s just another game. We cannot afford to get carried away by the occasion and romance of it.Mannion on Wembley”The clean sheets aren’t just down to me. It starts from the front in terms of how we play, we’re a high-pressing team.”That transcends throughout the team.”The lads in front of me have been outstanding all season. They’ve limited what I’ve had to do to a minimum.”Mannion is establishing himself as a No 1 after a lot of years doing the hard yards.He was a young pro at Hull – rubbing shoulders with the likes of Harry Maguire, Jarrod Bowen and Andy Robertson – after being signed by Steve Bruce.He had loan spells in non-league with Aldershot and Kidderminster before a season with Cypriot team Pathos having struggled to find a club at home.Charlton’s boss Nathan Jones is aiming for promotion on SundayCredit: Shutterstock EditorialHe said: “It was during the Covid spell. I couldn’t even find a club to look at me, never mind sign me. So I had this opportunity to go abroad and I gave it go.”As a life experience it was good to see a different culture – although on the football side I didn’t get a lot of opportunities.”A move to Cambridge brought 29 League One appearances over three years before what has turned out to be his best season yet at the Addicks.Mannion has only previously been to Wembley as a spectator — watching Crystal Palace beat Watford in the 2013 Championship play-off final and the 2009 FA Cup final when Chelsea saw off Everton 2-1.He said: “It’s one thing imagining yourself playing there and quite another actually thinking you will play there.Read More on The Sun”It will be surreal but it’s just another game. We cannot afford to get carried away by the occasion and romance of it.”We’ve one more game to achieve what we set out to do – win promotion.” More

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    Tom Lockyer admits pain at not being offered a new Luton contract as he targets return to football after horror collapse

    TOM LOCKYER has revealed he was hurt when Luton did not offer him a new contract this month.But he told SunSport he is hoping to make a miraculous return next season following two collapses due to a heart condition.Tom Lockyer is looking for a new club after being let go by Luton TownCredit: GettyThe 30-year-old hasn’t played since a cardiac arrest on the field in December 2023Credit: GettyLockyer was Luton’s captain and played over 100 times for the HattersCredit: AlamyThe centre-half, 30, has not played since suffering a cardiac arrest in Luton’s Premier League game at Bournemouth in December 2023, where he was technically dead for 2min 40sec before medics resuscitated him.That came seven months after he was taken to hospital when he collapsed during the Hatters’ Championship play-off final win against Coventry at Wembley.He has since had a defibrillator fitted like Manchester United star Christian Eriksen and former Red Devil Daley Blind.But after returning to training this season, he suffered further setbacks due to ankle injuries that needed surgery.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLYet the Wales international is confident he WILL play next term.Lockyer said: “I’d love to have stayed at Luton and felt hurt when I got news I wasn’t getting a new contract after what I’d done for the club.”But it’s a business and I haven’t played for 18 months.”I love Luton. I’ve enjoyed so many great memories there.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”The last year has been frustrating. I have to get through two reserve games to get my heart signed off as fit to play but then two days before the first one I rolled my ankle and needed surgery.”Then I was pushing to get back before the end of January and I pushed too hard, too soon and needed to redo the operation.Tom Lockyer shows defibrillator fitted into his chest after Luton captain suffered cardiac arrest in Bournemouth clash”I will get fit with my ankle, get my two ‘heart games’ ticked off and see where the land lies.”“If Luton like the shape I come back in then brilliant, maybe we could continue something.”Since Lockyer last played for the club they have suffered back-to-back relegations to League One.And he believes had he been fit, then both may have been avoided.Lockyer was club captain and played 102 league games for the Hatters before his cardiac arrest.If I was fit, especially this season, there’s no way on earth we’d have been relegated.Tom LockyerHe said: “If I was fit, especially this season, there’s no way on earth we’d have been relegated.”That’s not me being big-headed. I’ve been in that changing room, I know what I can bring, so that’s the sad reality.”Lockyer’s one huge regret from his Luton career is not celebrating his goal against Sunderland at Kenilworth Road that sealed their place in the 2023 play-off final.He added: “I was straight down the tunnel saying, ‘The job isn’t done’, whereas a few other lads just celebrated that moment.”Then I go to Wembley, end up missing all the celebrations there, the trip after, the bus tour, everything that goes with it, so that out of everything cuts me deep.”I watched the rest of the play-off final on my phone in the ambulance then on the hospital TV, extra-time and penalties.If I don’t get back to professional level, I’ll find a local team somewhere, that’s for sure. If anyone needs a centre-back, hit me up!Tom Lockyer”If I do get back playing I’ll be celebrating the little wins.”This weekend’s play-off finals will kick off one minute later than normal, starting today at 3.01pm with Sheffield United and Sunderland’s Championship showdown.The times are designed to raise awareness of the Every Minute Matters campaign – a collaboration between Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation – which aims to inspire supporters to learn CPR.Lockyer said: “If someone can see me playing safely, then surely that will give hope to other people.Read More on The Sun”If I don’t get back to professional level, I’ll find a local team somewhere, that’s for sure. If anyone needs a centre-back, hit me up!”TOM LOCKYER is part of Sky Bet’s Every Minute Matters campaign that is encouraging everyone to learn CPR online in just 15 minutes by visiting bhf.org More