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      I survived TWO cardiac arrests in training and had six heart operations… now I’m back and banging in goals in League One

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      CHARLIE WYKE became so depressed he almost quit the game six months ago.The Wigan striker had survived two cardiac arrests and six heart operations as well as having a defibrillator inserted in his chest.
      Charlie Wyke has had a brilliant start to the seasonCredit: Getty
      The striker was named in League One Player of the Month
      Like Christian Eriksen before him — who suffered the same life-threatening attack — he made a miracle comeback.
      But the sacking of boss Leam Richardson last November and a knee injury suffered two days later took him to a lower point than ever before.
      Wyke is happy again having been named League One player of the month for August after scoring five goals in four games.
      But while the Latics were dropping out of the Championship last term, he believed he was already down and out.
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      The 30-year-old admitted: “I got to the stage late last season where I wasn’t sure that I wanted to play any more.
      “I had been through all the problems with my heart. Leam, who I had become so close to for helping save my life, got sacked and then I had the knee injury.
      “I had lost my mojo, my whole desire to play football — and I began to think that it would never come back.
      “I was all over the place. I spoke to my missus and to my family all the time, about just packing it in.
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      Wyke, 30, had a defibrillator fitted last year after suffering two heart attacksCredit: Sky Sports
      “Even my agent said: ‘What’s the point? You’ve had a good career, why not just call it a day?’.
      “It was horrendous. I was in my first year in the Championship, I’d come back from cardiac arrest.
      “But losing Leam and then doing my knee — it felt like it just wasn’t meant to be. My body couldn’t handle it any more. I was overweight — up to 90 kilos — my knee wasn’t right, my head wasn’t right and I was thinking, ‘I don’t want to do this any more’.”
      Wyke was given his life back after collapsing on the training pitch in November 2021.
      Richardson performed CPR before handing over to club doctor Jonathan Tobin — who had saved Fabrice Muamba’s life after he “died” for 78 minutes following his collapse on the pitch during Bolton’s 2012 FA Cup clash at Tottenham.
      Former Sunderland frontman Wyke suffered another attack in April 2022 — also during training.
      I had lost my mojo, my whole desire to play football — and I began to think that it would never come back.Charlie Wyke
      But with the  help of a new Beta-blocker, he is now banging them in as Wigan fight back from an EFL eight-point deduction for failing to pay players’ wages on time.
      The tears and sorrow of the past two years have been replaced by joy, with Wyke stressing: “The difference in me from a few months ago is crazy.
      “Things were so bad at the end of last season that I just went back home to the North East.
      “I had made only four sub appearances after the knee injury and was telling the lads in the dressing room that this was me done at the end of the season.
      “But our physio, Jimmy Barrow, told me I was taking out my anger on the wrong people — to start focusing on myself and get my head and body straight.
      “He was right, too, so I decided to give it one last go and came back 6kg lighter.
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      “I can’t explain the relief I felt when we kicked off with a 2-1 win at Derby and I scored both goals.
      “Except to say that, for what felt like the first time in forever, I finally felt normal again.” More

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      Premier League close to agreeing £130m new funding package for EFL, but parachute payments could be at risk

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      PREM clubs are set to finally agree a new extra £130million-per-year funding package for the EFL.But the cash boost will be conditional on lower division clubs accepting strict financial control rules.
      Burnley achieved promotion back to the promised land of the PremCredit: PA
      In contrast, Leicester went down, and clubs dropping to the Championship in future must now must wait to see the fate of parachute paymentsCredit: Getty
      And there is STILL no agreement on the future of parachute payments for relegated teams 
      EFL chiefs have been pushing for a massive increase of £1bn from top flight TV revenues over a three-year cycle, in addition to the current £1.6bn over the period.
      That demand was fiercely resisted by Prem club chiefs, who pointed out that many EFL club owners had deeper pockets than they did.
      But with growing pressure from the Government for the Prem and EFL to reach a deal before being ordered to accept a figure, a compromise is being hammered out ahead of next week’s meeting of the 20 top flight clubs.
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      The proposal to be put before the clubs will be for the extra cash to be distributed on a “merit” basis, determined by the final position in each of the three EFL divisions.
      As part of the agreement, clubs will also agree to costs limits of their own, limiting spending on wages and transfers to a fixed percentage of revenues.
      That will mirror – most likely at a higher threshold – the rules being introduced by UEFA over the next three seasons, which will see a maximum of 70 per cent of revenues allowed to be spent by 2025-26.
      The supposed deal would see teams at the top of the Championship nearly doubling their current annual £5.2m Prem windfall to nearer £9m.
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      But many of the Prem clubs outside the Big Six remain determined to keep the principal of parachute payments and only accept a limited reduction in their value.
      Parachute payments are currently worth up to £106m over three years for established Prem clubs like Leicester who fall out of the top flight.
      And some of the smaller Prem clubs are arguing that they should have less tight spending restrictions in the event of relegation and the clubs they join in the Championship. More

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      Crisis club Reading slapped with SECOND points deduction of the season in nightmare start to League One campaign

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      READING have been hit with their second points deduction of the season by the EFL.The Royals went into the campaign with a one point deficit after being found to have breached league financial regulations.
      Reading have been deducted a further three points in League OneCredit: Getty
      Reading’s previous penalty saw them ordered to deposit 125 per cent of their monthly wage bill into an account by September 12.
      Failure to do so has seen Reading trigger a further three-point penalty – meaning they have now been docked four in total this term.
      The Royals were relegated from the Championship last season after having had six points deducted.
      They have won two and lost four of their League One matches so far this season.
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      This means that, with the deduction applied, Reading now sit 21st on two points.
      An official EFL statement read: “Reading FC have been deducted three points from the 2023/24 League One table after the Club failed to comply with the order of an Independent Disciplinary Commission (IDC) which required them to deposit an amount equal to 125% of the Club’s forecast monthly wage bill in a designated account by 12 September 2023.
      “On 15 August 2023, the IDC had determined the Club had breached EFL Regulations related to the Club having failed to pay its players’ wages on time and in full on or around 31 October 2022, 30 November 2022, and 28 April 2023.
      “The Club received a one-point deduction, with a further three points suspended.
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      “As a result of this latest instance of non-compliance by the Club’s ownership, the suspended sanction has been activated and, as per the Commission’s instructions, applied by the EFL to the League One table with immediate effect.
      “The EFL continues to acknowledge the negative impact sporting sanctions are having on the Football Club and remain extremely disappointed and frustrated at the Club’s ownership to meet its ongoing obligations under EFL Regulations.
      “The League will continue to apply its rules in all circumstances deemed appropriate.”
      Reading appointed former Southampton boss Selles over the summer.
      They had their transfer embargo lifted in July, which had been in place since 2021.
      Following today’s further points deduction, a Reading club statement read: “Reading Football Club can confirm that a suspended three-point penalty has been activated as a result of owner Mr Dai failing to deposit an amount equating to 125% of the club’s monthly wage bill into a designated account by the deadline of Tuesday 12 September 2023, as ordered by the Independent Disciplinary Commission in its decision of 15 August 2023.
      “Last month, the club received a one-point penalty in relation to breaches of Regulation 64.7 of the EFL Regulations (relating to three instances of late payment of player wages), with a further three-point suspended penalty to be applied should the club fail to pay players’ wages on time on any further occasion before 30 June 2024, or should the deposit payment fail to be paid.
      “The points deduction will now be applied to our League One total with immediate effect.
      “As communicated to our supporters previously, Mr Dai is currently undertaking an ongoing process of seeking sources of stable external investment for the football club, with the aim of mitigating the risk of cashflow complications arising in future.” More

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      Wrexham announce shock transfer of ex-Premier League and international star days after EFL rejected record move

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      WREXHAM have completed the signing of former Premier League star Steven Fletcher.The striker had been a free agent since leaving Dundee United in June.
      Steven Fletcher has signed for WrexhamCredit: Willie Vass
      But he has put pen to paper and will join up with the Red Dragons once he receives international clearance.
      Fletcher said on joining the club: “Hopefully I can bring a lot of experience. I’m 36, I’m still fit and still raring to go.
      “One of the biggest selling points was the ambition of the Club, and if I can help with that then great.
      “I don’t think you can not see what has been happening at Wrexham – it’s been a great experience for the fans, players and owners so hopefully we can continue that.”
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      Fletcher scored ten goals in 39 games for Dundee United last season, having spent the previous 13 years playing in the Premier League and EFL.
      The former Scotland international has had spells at Hibernian, Burnley and Sunderland, and played 12 games on loan at Marseille in 2016, scoring twice.
      Stints at Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke followed before his move back above the border.
      Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson is delighted to welcome Fletcher to North Wales after missing out on Harrogate strike Luke Armstrong.
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      He said: “I’m really pleased with the addition of Steve to the squad. He’s missed football through pre-season but he’s trained today with the lads and it’s good to have him on board.
      “His pedigree speaks for itself, and he’s played most of his career at a very high level. He’s an excellent professional and that’s really important to fit in with the group here.”
      Wrexham had sent documents to the EFL to complete Armstrong’s signing, but the move collapsed as the paperwork was not submitted in time. More

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      Wrexham keeper Ben Foster announces retirement AGAIN aged 40 just two days after conceding five goals in League Two tie

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      FORMER Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster has announced his retirement from football.The 40-year-old shot stopper initially retired last September after leaving Watford as a free agent.
      Foster has announced his retirementCredit: Getty
      The goalkeeper helped the Welsh side gain promotion to the Football LeagueCredit: Getty

      However, he returned to the pitch in March to sign a short-term deal with Wrexham.
      Foster went on to help the Red Dragons achieve promotion back to the Football League for the first time in 15 years.
      And he subsequently penned a new one-year contract after returning from the club’s epic promotion party in Las Vegas.
      But just two games into the 2023-24 League Two campaign, he has decided to hang up his boots for good.
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      In an official statement on the Wrexham Website, Foster said: “The honest truth is that my performances this season haven’t reached the level I demand of myself and I feel that now is the right time to retire.
      “At the forefront of my mind when making this decision, was not only what was best for me but also the Club, and making the decision now gives the Club every opportunity to assess their options before the window closes.

      “Wrexham will always have a special place in my heart.”
      Hollywood superstar and Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds paid tribute to the goalkeeper on social media.
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      He tweeted: “He built memories I’ll never let go of for as long as I live. I love this guy. Thank you for everything, Ben.”
      Some fans called for Foster to retire after he conceded five goals against Swindon Town on Saturday.
      One eagle-eyed supporter even suggested that he was unable to save any shots directed towards the bottom corner.
      Swindon held the advantage for the majority of Saturday’s game, but Wrexham battled from 5-3 down to make the score 5-5 with just a few minutes to play.
      Before signing for the Red Dragons, Foster spent four years with Watford.
      During his time at Vicarage Road, he started a YouTube channel called ‘Ben Foster – The Cycling GK’ where he uploads in-game footage from his perspective as a goalkeeper.
      He also made appearances for West Brom and Birmingham throughout his playing career.
      Foster sent five years with Manchester United in the early stages of his career.
      He made 23 senior appearances for the Red Devils.
      Foster spent five years with Man UtdCredit: Getty More

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      Portsmouth clash bizarrely SUSPENDED as ref walks down tunnel with the ball before FAN ‘takes over as linesman’

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      PORTSMOUTH’S clash with Cheltenham was bizarrely delayed as the officials appealed for any qualified refs in the crowd to take over as linesman.The unusual incident occurred just 12 minutes into the second half, when referee Ben Toner grabbed the ball and left the field of play.
      Portsmouth’s clash with Cheltenham was bizarrely delayedCredit: Rex
      At the time, Pompey tweeted: “As if this afternoon couldn’t get anymore bizarre…
      “The referee has taken the ball and disappeared down the tunnel – we’ll keep you updated.”
      Two minutes later, they added: “A message has just gone out over the PA system for a qualified official to make themselves known…
      “And a fan from the stands has just emerged to take over duties, so we should be fine!”
      The original officiating team at the match consisted of Ben Toner as referee, Daniel Flynn and Mark Derrien as his assistants and Stephen Brown as the fourth official.
      One of the linesmen was forced off injured during the first half of the match, with Brown taking over.
      Disaster then struck early on in the second period, when the other linesman also picked up an injury.
      At this point the referee led both teams back down the tunnel, with the Fratton Park PA system appealing for any qualified referees to emerge from the crowd.
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      Around ten minutes after the initial incident it was confirmed that play would resume in a further five.
      The match eventually got back underway in the 55th minute, with a supporter running the line.
      Pompey and Cheltenham were level at 0-0 when the suspension occurred.
      As the replacement assistant ref raised his flag for a throw-in for the first time, he received a loud cheer from the crowd.
      The officials eventually reverted to the original match clock, meaning they entered 21 minutes of stoppage time at the end of the initial 90. More

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      Charlie Austin out to turn back the clock to 2014… and score ANOTHER hat-trick past Ben Foster as Swindon face Wrexham

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      CHARLIE AUSTIN will hope to turn back the clock and get the better of Ben Foster again when Swindon travel to Wrexham today.Robins striker Austin, 34, scored a stunning hat-trick as QPR fought back from 2-0 down to beat Foster’s West Brom 3-2 in the Premier League at Loftus Road back in 2014.
      Ben Foster could not stop Charlie Austin completing his hat-trick at Loftus Road in 2014
      Austin is now playing in League Two with Swindon
      And today Red Dragons keeper Foster, 40, will be reunited with his tormentor in North Wales but this time in League Two.
      Both players have signed further one-year deals to extend their long, illustrious careers.
      Former England, Manchester United and Watford stopper Foster came out of retirement in March to help Wrexham win the National League while ex-Southampton, Burnley and West Brom ace Austin moved to Wilshire in December.
      Swindon only won three of their last 14 matches last season to blow their promotion play-off hopes.
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      But Austin said: “I just wanted to help the club by extending my contract. The way last season ended wasn’t ideal, so when I spoke to the chairman Clem Morfuni and the new manager Michael Flynn regarding what he’s trying to do I wanted to be a part of it.
      “It was an easy decision.
      “We’re ready to go again this season. We’ve had a tough but enjoyable pre-season. 
      “Our first game of the season at Colchester being postponed didn’t help because we’re a game behind already.”
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      Foster signed a new one-year deal with Wrexham this summer
      Will Boyle scores his first goal for Wrexham against Walsall
      Wrexham got their first win in the EFL for more than 15 years by beating Walsall 4-2 after a 5-3 loss at home to MK Dons and 1-1 draw at AFC Wimbledon.
      Scoring goals has not been a problem but keeping clean sheets has.
      And defender Will Boyle is hoping they remedy that at the County Ground today.
      He said: “It’s important we got off the mark against Walsall. The longer it goes, things can become a bit tense and it can affect performances.
      “It was a decent performance but we can definitely work on a few things.
      “The two goals were avoidable and now we need to get that first clean sheet because it’s important for the group to get that.
      “But what’s more important is to back up that win with another one. All of a sudden you look back at the last seven days and from a results perspective it looks promising.”
      Boyle, 27, signed from Championship club Huddersfield in the summer and marked his home debut against the Saddler with a goal himself — a header from a Luke Young cross.
      And he said: “It’s always nice to score, especially early, so it is good to get off the mark. I’ve consistently had goals in my game throughout my career, it is something that can be a threat for the team.
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      “It’s important you spread the goals out throughout the team and you’re a threat from set-plays because it is a big part of the game so I am happy with that.”
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      Toon-mad Leif Davis dreaming of facing Newcastle in the big time as he eyes Premier League promotion with Ipswich

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      LEIF DAVIS always dreamed of playing in the Premier League when he went to St James’ Park to watch his Newcastle heroes.And the Ipswich left-back would further get starry-eyed as he played FIFA on his console as his beloved Magpies against the likes of Manchester City.
      Leif Davis played a huge part in Ipswich’s promotion and now wants to fire them to the Premier League
      Davis was in dreamland when he made his Leeds Premier League debut against Manchester City
      So he was pinching himself when he was locking horns with Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez and Co on his Premier League debut for Leeds for real at Elland Road three years ago.
      Now Davis, 23, is eyeing a return to the big time with Ipswich after joining from the Yorkshire club last summer.
      He said: “I went to warm up but got called back to the technical area right away and got told I was going on.
      “And when I ran out I was thinking, ‘Wow, this is a dream.’ I was playing against the likes of De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Mahrez, Foden, Raheem Sterling — some of the world’s best players.
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      “Just a few years earlier I was playing on FIFA against these guys, thinking, ‘I’d like to play on the same field as you one day’ and it was actually happening.”
      Davis was destined to become a professional footballer, given that he played for a season at the famous Wallsend Boys Club in Newcastle.
      The club is famed for producing the likes of Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley,  Steve Bruce, Michael Carrick and Fraser Forster just to name a few.
      Lifelong Toon fan Davis was inspired by his heroes to make it to the top.
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      He said: “I’ve always been a huge fan and had a season ticket at St James’ Park for years.
      “When I first went to watch them there was Ryan Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini. Then there was Yohan Cabaye and Gabriel Obertan.
      “My favourite games were the European nights when I went up there with my dad and brother. Hopefully a chance might present itself to get a few Champions League games this season.”
      Davis never got picked up by Newcastle as a kid — playing local Sunday morning football — and instead his big break came when MORECAMBE snapped him up instead, aged 16, giving him a scholarship.
      He said: “I had it in my head that I had been rejected a few times by different clubs who I went on trial to. I said to my parents, ‘This might be it for me. I might not get a chance to play professionally.’
      “Then a trial came up at Morecambe. I played 45 minutes and they called me on the way home offering me a two-year scholarship.
      “I took my chance there. It is hard moving away from home at such a young age. I thought it was going to be the only opportunity, a real stepping stone in my career. It was one I had to take. You have to work from the bottom to the top.”
      Davis got spotted by Leeds and they took him to Elland Road when he was 18 where he played for West Brom boss Carlos Corberan, then in charge of the under-21s.
      But it did not take long until he impressed coach Marcelo Bielsa, who got him training with the first team.
      And the Geordie ace remembers: “It was so demanding as everyone knows.
      “Biesla has developed so many players. Kalvin Phillips always says he wouldn’t be where he is today if it wasn’t for him.
      “And he did the same with me. When I first went there, I wouldn’t attack as much and would always be sitting back and trying to create a play from further back. 
      Fabricio Coloccini was one of Leif Davis’ heroes as he was growing up as a Newcastle fan watching from the terraces at St James’ Park
      Kieran McKenna celebrates promotion with his team
      “But then he told us to start running and told me I was a good athlete and passer of the ball. He wanted me to push on high and that helped me massively in my game last season.”
      The left-back was a key player as the Tractor Boys won promotion back to the Championship after four seasons stuck in League One.
      Davis, himself, was able to directly enjoy making an impact having only been in and around the Leeds side that got promoted and being a bit-part player on loan when Bournemouth went up in 2022.
      And he said: “Last season was unbelievable. I know it’s not my first time being promoted but playing a big part in the team was a wonderful feeling.
      “It’s what I needed. I know it’s good being at a Premier League team but you don’t want to be sitting on the bench all the time. You want to get playing and that’s why I came here. I wanted to develop as a player.”
      Ipswich have got off to a flying start — beating Sunderland and Stoke — to be the early Championship leaders.
      And Davis says the talk at Portman Road has not been about consolidating in the second tier but getting into the Premier League.
      He said: “We spoke about it in the week leading up to the new season. We said, ‘We’re not coming here to have a jolly up.’ As a team, we want to make a statement, go for it again and try to get promoted.
      “You want to keep pushing and pushing and take the team into the Premier League. That’s what we need to do. That is where our focus should be.”
      Boss Kieran McKenna, 37, continues to impress in only his second full season as a manager — having taken over in December 2002 after serving as an assistant at Manchester United under Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
      The former Northern Ireland Under-21 international is seeing his reputation grow in the game and if he continues this upward curve this season there will be top-flight clubs looking in his direction.
      Davis said: “He’s an unbelievable manager. When I first came down, he made me feel so welcome straight away. I played at the weekend when I came down. I hadn’t really trained with the lads. I got thrown in the deep end.
      “He has done so much for us. Everyone can say they have come on in massive amounts. 
      “If you asked anyone in the changing room or backroom staff, people will tell you he is up there with the best coaches they’ve played with.
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      “I think he possibly can coach even higher. There has been a bit of interest. A few managers when they got sacked in the Premier League, a few eyes turned to him straight away.
      “But he is sticking with us and signed a new contract. He just wants to help the lads kick on even more.” More