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    Tom Lockyer feels invincible after surviving cardiac arrest as he backs campaign for fans to learn CPR

    TOM LOCKYER feels invincible and is joking among pals that he will ‘live for ever’.The Wales international TWICE almost died after collapsing with heart problems playing for Luton Town.Tom Lockyer is backing the Every Minute Matters campaign with the British Heart FoundationThe Luton captain returned to training after two heart issues in eight monthsBut now he is mulling over a return to the game he loves despite initially being ‘at peace’ with retirement should doctors tell him to walk away from the game at 29.Lockyer, who now has a fitted defibrillator which shocks an irregular heartbeat back to a normal rhythm, said: “I feel safe. It’s like I’ve got a superpower now.“My biggest joke with my friends is, ‘I’ll live forever’ — because when I’m 85 in bed, possibly dying of old age, the defibrillator will shock me back into life.“I’m invincible!”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFootball held its collective breath while both Hatters and Bournemouth fans at the Vitality watched in horror as midfielder Lockyer collapsed during a Premier League game in December.It later emerged he had suffered a cardiac arrest just months after paramedics and medical staff saved his life at Wembley during the Championship play-off final against Coventry that May.Lockyer had fallen to the ground unconscious with atrial fibrillation – or irregular heartbeat – and despite being clinically dead for 2 minutes 40 seconds, medics at the Dorset club rescued him and today he feels fit, healthy and back to his jovial self.Incredibly, he is also back involved in training sessions.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSo far, it is only warm-up drills with the squad before doing rehab work with his personal coach. It is a first tentative step in a long journey to a possible return to action.Manchester United’s Christian Eriksen was able to continue playing after suffering a cardiac arrest at the Euros for Denmark in 2021 thanks to a fitted unit.Tom Lockyer hugs team-mates as he returns to Luton’s training ground five weeks after shock cardiac arrest on the pitchBut to have lived to tell the tale after one serious heart issue is alarming enough — but to survive a second and still want to play is extraordinarily brave.Yet Lockyer said: “You could say that but I don’t see it that way. I’ve got my box fitted now and feel as safe as any other normal person or player.“After it happened there was a case that maybe I couldn’t exercise again which for someone who has always been active would’ve been hard.“I started off doing a bit of rehab to see where I could get to and what I’d be allowed to do safely. When we kept ticking off boxes, I thought, ‘Why stop now?’“Let’s see where I get to. If I can get on the pitch again, great. If not, I’ll listen to the doctors. Just because I’m back in Luton, it doesn’t mean I’m going to play again. “It’s not something I can rush — but it’s great to be back among the lads because I missed that changing-room camaraderie.”EFL supports World Heart Day EFL stars will bag the British Heart Foundation £1,000 for EVERY GOAL scored across the Championship, League One and League Two this weekend.It is World Heart Day on Sunday, September 29.So Sky Bet vowed to make the generous donations to support the ‘Every Minute Matters’ campaign, which has now helped 90,000 people learn life-saving CPR skills.The campaign has now raised £520,000 since its launch in May and hopes to fund 80 more community defibrillators across the UK. There are 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year – that is five every 90 minutes. It is crucially important for people to learn how to do CPR – with just one in ten surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrests due to a lack of skills or confidence to do CPR. Eventually, the ‘Every Minute Matters’ goal is to train up 270,000 people in CPR by May 2025 – enough to fill three Wembley Stadiums. But one thing Lockyer does want to see happen quickly is for more people to learn CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) — and become life-saving heroes like the paramedics that rescued him.The EFL’s sponsors SkyBet are generously donating £1,000 to the British Heart Foundation for EVERY GOAL scored in the Championship, League One and League Two this weekend — including Friday night’s second-tier clash between Lockyer’s Luton and Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth as well as Tranmere v Salford in the fourth rung.To mark World Heart Day, SkyBet and the charity want fans of all 72 EFL clubs to kick their fears and apprehensions about performing CPR into Row Z by learning in only 15 minutes how to be a future life-saving hero.So far — in a campaign called Every Minute Matters — they have managed to get 90,000 members of the public to learn how to do it. Their target is to be able to have enough fans who have learned CPR to fill THREE Wembley stadiums.Lockyer said: “Your chances of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is less than one in ten. “The reality is if you’re unfortunate enough to suffer one, unless there are paramedics or people nearby confident enough to perform CPR, it’s not looking good for you.“Less than half of EFL fans surveyed by SkyBet said they were confident of doing CPR.“Imagine if someone you loved, a family member, collapsed in front of you and you didn’t know what to do — despite having all this awareness about CPR brought to your attention and not having spared just 15 minutes to learn it? It would haunt you forever if they passed away.“I’ve done it online. It’s not rocket science and takes 15 minutes. The more people who know how to do it, the better the survival rates will be.”Cardiac arrests don’t discriminate. You can be as fit and healthy as a Premier League footballer like myself or a 90-year-old. A man told me about his 18-month-old daughter. That hit home. That was shocking.Tom LockyerAn impressive £520,000 has already been raised by the campaign and the first £400,000 of these funds are being spent on 80 more community defibrillators distributed across the UK as well as training more people CPR and defibrillation skills.Lockyer would like one day for every household to have a defibrillator — which would save many more lives — but accepts a lot of work needs to be done before they can become more affordable.He said: “Cardiac arrests don’t discriminate. You can be as fit and healthy as a Premier League footballer like myself or a 90-year-old.“After what happened I had a man reach out to me about what happened to his 18-month-old daughter. That hit home. That was shocking. Thankfully he knew what he was doing and she is still here today.”Speaking about his own experiences, when Lockyer suffered his first cardiac at Wembley, during the time he lay unconscious, he revealed he dreamed that Luton won the play-off final: “Thankfully that was a reality.”But the second time, he blacked out completely in a situation that was really touch and go. He said: “When I woke up, I knew what had happened — and as glad I was to have survived the first thought after that was ‘Oh, that my career over then.'”However, that might not be the case after all and even if it is, Lockyer will continue to campaign passionately in a bid to save others — including this weekend.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd he added: “Let’s hope for lots of goals this weekend — some 10-10 draws would be nice! And please everyone learn how to become a hero like those that saved me.”Lockyer called on fans to learn how to do CPRLockyer collapsed during the 2023 Championship play-off final at WembleyCredit: GettyLuton stars lifted Lockyer’s shirt after securing promotionCredit: GettyAfter his cardiac arrest at Bournemouth, he thought his career was overCredit: ReutersThe midfielder says he feels ‘invincible’ with his defibrillatorCredit: GettyHe thanked the Bournemouth paramedics for saving his lifeCredit: Reuters More

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    EFL cult hero Gareth Ainsworth ‘plotting shock return to management’ after almost a whole year unemployed

    EFL icon Gareth Ainsworth is reportedly targeting a return to management.The 51-year-old has been out of work since leaving QPR last October.Gareth Ainsworth allegedly wants the Hearts jobCredit: GettyHe was sacked by the Hoops following six consecutive Championship defeats.But now he is seeking a return to management.According to the Daily Record, Ainsworth wants to become the next Hearts boss.The Scottish Premiership side sacked Steven Naismith last week following a 2-1 defeat to St Mirren.Read More in FootballClub officials are now looking for his successor, with Ainsworth among the potential candidates.The former QPR boss has applied for the vacant job and is now under consideration.His statistics will be reviewed by Hearts before the interview process begins.Ainsworth turned down several job opportunities after leaving QPR a year ago.Most read in EFLFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe was understood to be waiting for the perfect role to come around.And he believes Hearts will tick every box.’We had a can of beans between 20′ Charlton’s Matt Godden on struggles at old club – What the EFL?!Prior to his stint at QPR, Ainsworth managed Wycombe Wanderers for almost 11 years.He won promotion from League Two in 2018 and from League One in 2020.Ainsworth managed 550 games at Wycombe, with a win ratio of almost 40 per cent and he gained a reputation for playing attacking football. More

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    Amazing pictures emerge of former Premier League club’s new stadium which will boast DOUBLE capacity

    LUTON have unveiled photos of their stunning new stadium that will be double the size of their current ground.Kenilworth Road underwent a refurb when Luton were promoted to the Premier League last year.Luton have unveiled what their new ground will look likeCredit: lutontownA floodlight will stretch around the perimeter of the roofCredit: lutontownAll four stands are separate with hospitality boxes in the cornersCredit: lutontownThe main stand will host a museum, club shop, cafe and ticket officeCredit: lutontownThe exterior has a unique look with the floodlights acting like a haloCredit: lutontownBut that work pails in comparison to the new stadium – Power Court.The Hatters have received approval for their planning application, with the new multi-purpose venue designed to help “regenerate” the town.The new ground will boast 25,000 seats, compared to Kenilworth Road’s 12,056, and will have a unique look.Each stand is different with a Kop-like stand behind one of the goals.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey are all separate too like a traditional ground, not a bowl like many other clubs have opted for in recent years.That means there is space in each corner for individual box stands, with one appearing to host hospitality boxes.An exterior look at the main stand shows a ticket office, club shop, cafe and a museum.The club hope the stadium, including a hotel and music venue, will be completed within three years.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMost striking is the floodlight above the stadium roof that covers the entire perimeter, shining down on the pitch from every angle.The new ground will be situated in the heart of Luton town centre, just over a mile away from Kenilworth Road. ‘Fan told me he was ‘****ing my mum’ | Gillngham’s Jack Nolan plays What the EFL?!But in order to go ahead with the build, the River Lea will have to be rerouted, and the council have agreed to the plans.Luton shared photos of the design on social media alongside the caption: “She’s going to be a beauty 😍”Fans seem to agree with one suggesting the stadium “looks incredible”.Another added: “Looks fantastic.”And a third wrote: “That’s absolutely beautiful.”The new ground will be double the size of Kenilworth RoadCredit: lutontownThe River Lea will have to be re-routed to make way for the stadiumCredit: lutontown More

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    Non-league club BOYCOTT new Premier League-backed competition despite qualifying for it as they release statement

    EASTLEIGH FC have confirmed they will NOT be participating in The National League Cup competition.Yesterday, the Premier League announced they had teamed up with the National League to launch a new cup that they believe will boost elite youth development in this country.The Premier League announced the National League Cup competitionHowever, Eastleigh FC have confirmed they won’t be enteringHowever, Eastleigh have told fans that despite qualifying they won’t be entering.They made their statement across five points.It read: “National League teams currently receive no compensation or protection for our young players, some of whom would feature in this competition. Premier League and EFL clubs simply take these players that have often had many years development at our clubs, something they cannot do to each other.”Providing these clubs with competitive games to then play these players or showcase more of them to be taken under these circumstances is completely illogical.Read more football news”The financial reward for playing in the competition is negligible and is likely to cost the club some much-needed funds.”We don’t believe there is a huge demand for the competition from our supporters or any other National League club.”The fixtures are to be played between October and April which is a time in the season where the club would hope to be competing in the FA Trophy, FA Cup and mounting a challenge for the Play-offs/Promotion and to add more fixtures to this already busy schedule would be counter productive.”The statement revealed that a number of clubs have joined Eastleigh FC’s stance on the matter.Most read in FootballThe club added: “Our clubs are being under-valued, and far too many have not survived in the game when there is more money than ever flowing into it. This needs addressing and this competition increases the huge divide which currently exists.How much every Premier League club earns in shirt sponsors”This competition which we feel benefits the richest in the game at the expense of the poorest, many of whom are fighting to survive so on balance we feel the right decision for clubs and fans at this level is to withdraw from the competition.”The tournament will help young players from Premier League and EFL clubs gain additional opportunities to test themselves against senior opposition from the fifth tier.It will also offer the chance for National League clubs to play regular matches against the best Under-21 teams in England at their own stadiums.The competition comes with a combined prize of £1million, provided by the Premier League.The amount will be distributed only amongst the National League clubs.Blackburn Rovers, Brighton, Fulham, Leeds, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Reading, Southampton, Stoke, Sunderland, Tottenham, West Brom, West Ham and Wolves have been confirmed.They will be joined by Aldershot Town, Altrincham, Boston United, Braintree Town, Dagenham & Redbridge, Ebbsfleet United, Halifax Town, Forest Green Rovers, Gateshead, Maidenhead United, Oldham Athletic, Rochdale, Sutton United, Tamworth, Wealdstone and Woking. More

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    Premier League announce brand new competition launching in less than two weeks with hefty prize money up for grabs

    THE PREMIER LEAGUE have announced a brand new competition that will boost elite youth development in the country.The Prem has teamed up with the National League to launch the National League Cup.The Premier League has teamed up with the National League to launch a new competitionCredit: GettyThe tournament will help young players from Premier League and EFL clubs gain additional opportunities to test themselves against senior opposition from the fifth tier.It will also offer the chance for National League clubs to play regular matches against the best Under-21 teams in England at their own stadiums.The competition comes with a combined prize of £1million, provided by the Premier League. The amount will be distributed only amongst the National League clubs.Read More on FootballBlackburn Rovers, Brighton, Fulham, Leeds, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Reading, Southampton, Stoke, Sunderland, Tottenham, West Brom, West Ham and Wolves have been confirmed.They will be joined by Aldershot Town, Altrincham, Boston United, Braintree Town, Dagenham & Redbridge, Ebbsfleet United, Halifax Town, Forest Green Rovers, Gateshead, Maidenhead United, Oldham Athletic, Rochdale, Sutton United, Tamworth, Wealdstone and Woking.The National League Cup kicks off on October 1 with a group stage consisted of four groups of eight.The two best-placed teams in each group will advance to the quarter-finals.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSPremier League Chief Football Officer Tony Scholes said: “We’re excited to launch this new competition in partnership with the National League.“The competition will provide additional opportunities for young players in the under 17-21 age groups to gain valuable experience of playing against First Team opposition, something many of our current Premier League stars have experienced in their development.Best ten new Premier League kits for next season“We’re pleased to be able to support in the operation of the competition and look forward to seeing the wider benefits it will bring to National League clubs.” More

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    Premier League could be hit by mass referee holidays as officials win landmark court case

    REFEREES’ CHIEFS have lost the latest round of their courtroom battle with the taxman and it could mean paid holiday for officials.The Supreme Court ruled that the PGMOL must treat part-time refs from League One downwards as employees and therefore provide benefits to go with that.Part-time referees must be paid holiday leave, rule the PGMOLIt means the body which oversees the officials from the Premier League downwards faces a huge bill for annual leave for around 60 referees and assistants.A whistle-blower told SunSport: “This could mean dozens of referees backdating claims for holidays in lieu. “Imagine them all deciding to take the rest of the season off on full pay? “Sitting on deck chairs with nobody to take charge of games in certain areas of the EFL.”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAt present, referees in the lower reaches of the EFL are treated as self-employed and therefore not entitled to the trappings of permanent employment, although they do get expenses.Referees at this level tend to have other jobs in addition to taking charge of games. While PGMOL provides them with kit and equipment.The battle between PGMOL and HMRC is similar to that in 2021 when multinational online taxi service provider Uber was ordered to treat their drivers as paid employees.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSPGMOL won the first round of the legal war. HMRC equalised by winning the second, sending the case to the highest court in the land. ‘I’d expect a foul’ – Paul Merson claims Arsenal’s winner at Tottenham shouldn’t have stood as VAR fails to interveneDespite the ruling by The Supreme Court, PGMOL can still appeal the judgement.The case has been dragging on since 2017 and may run for years.Our whistle-blower added: “And you thought VAR decisions took a long time?”The PGMOL claimed they were only contracted for services and therefore should be classed as self-employed.Changes to the Premier League for 2024/25NOTHING stays the same forever.And that includes the Premier League, which is making a number of tweaks this season.Team news will now be released 75 MINUTES before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than had been the case before.Things could get crowded on the touchline, with the number of substitutes permitted to warm-up boosted from three players per team to FIVE.There’s also a change to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, an update to the ‘multiball’ system and the introduction of semi-automated offsides – but not straight away.Go here to read about all the changes to the Premier League for 2024/25. More

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    Former Premier League star, 33, lands first management job after being left unemployed by 13th club of his career

    NATHAN DELFOUNESO has been named the temporary manager of AFC Fylde.The former Premier League star was without a club after leaving Hednesford Town.Nathan Delfouneso has taken charge of AFC FlydeCredit: https://twitter.com/Hednesford_TownHe starred for Blackpool during his careerCredit: Getty Images – GettyDelfouneso played for Aston Villa between 2008 and 2014Credit: Dave Pinegar – The SunDelfouneso, 33, has taken charge of the team on an interim basis after manager Chris Beech and his assistant Nick Anderton left the club.The striker will be joined by former Shrewsbury Town and Port Vale goalkeeper Chris Neal in the dugout.They will be preparing the team for their National League clash against Southend on Tuesday night.Fylde are currently 23rd in the division, having won just once in their first eight games.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLDelfouneso came through the youth ranks at Aston Villa and went on to make 52 appearances for the club, scoring nine times.He left Villa Park in 2014 for Blackpool in the Championship but left after a single year to Blackburn.After a loan at Bury and a stint at Swindon Town, he returned to the Seasiders.During his three-year spell between 2017 and 2020, Delfouneso featured in 125 league games and scored 24 goals.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSDelfouneso left Bloomfield Road again in 2020 and joined Bolton for two years.He then had spells at Accrington Stanley, Flyde, Chorley before joining Hednesford in February earlier this year.Meet the new Wags of the Premier League season, from a Belgian interior designer to a Portuguese modelDelfouneso showed plenty of promise in his youth as he featured for England’s youth teams.He played for the U16s, U17s, U19s and U21s and scored 19 goals in 55 appearances.However, he never earned a cap for the senior Three Lions side.He played for England’s youth teamsCredit: PA:Press AssociationWho are these famous footballers? More

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    I made 110 appearances for Man Utd but I got more joy out of playing for Wrexham and earning £14

    IT IS the A-list showdown they are calling the League One Clasico — an all-star clash between big spenders with even bigger dreams.A pair of Hollywood giants in Wrexham red against the seven-time Super Bowl champion and NFL legend bedecked in Birmingham blue.Wrexham owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have transformed WrexhamCredit: GettyThe Red Dragons take on Birmingham in League One, co-owned by NFL icon Tom BradyCredit: AlamyTonight’s third-tier meeting with top-tier interest across America — never mind North Wales and the Midlands — between sides whose recent fight was for survival, not silverware.That was before the silver screen duo of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney rode into Wrexham like the 7th Cavalry — and suddenly the road to oblivion became a path to the Premier League.And then gridiron great Tom Brady became a minority owner in the Brum takeover, as last season’s Championship drop-outs began their own money-no-object march to the top.It has been an astonishing transformation for both clubs and Mickey Thomas, a Red Dragons hero from the days they bloodied noses as cup giantkillers, is loving it.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe former winger is known to many for the free-kick which helped dump top-flight champs Arsenal from the FA Cup in 1992.Yet before that stunning swansong, there were many more in his first spell at Wrexham.Not least his double in a League Cup triumph at Spurs and a fairytale run to the last eight of the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1976, before he headed for the big time at Manchester United.And Thomas, 70, was not the only one to move on.Most read in EFLFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBoyhood pal Joey Jones, a double European Cup winner at Liverpool, is the best known.But plenty more headed to brighter lights. Back then, pre-season tours were to the Isle of Man, not the USA, and the current average weekly wage of £4,000 was more than Thomas earned a year, before his 1978 United move. Inside ‘Little Wales’ some 8,000 MILES from the UK where all the signs are in Welsh & people LOVE WrexhamThat League Cup win over a Spurs side containing Glenn Hoddle was worth £14, plus a crowd bonus of £80.Even at today’s valuation of £620, it is hardly life-changing.But while the rewards for Wrexham’s current unbeaten table-toppers are jaw-dropping, there is no jealousy from Thomas — only delight at progress he hopes will continue.The Welshman said: “I don’t begrudge current players a thing, believe me.“I’m just so happy to see things change for the better.“You’ve got to realise it wasn’t about the money for me.“The dream was to be a player. It was about winning, not wages.“I turned down Tottenham, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Sunderland — all in the top division — because I wanted to play every week. But United were just too big to say ‘No’ to!Now I’m a fan and no one will be happier than me if the current Wrexham team ends up as their greatest everMickey Thomas“But to be honest, although I played 110 games for them, I always felt intimidated as the pressure was awful.“There was no mental health awareness like now and I really struggled to handle it.“That said, of course, there were some really great times as well. But I had more joy at Wrexham than anywhere.“Coming through the ranks with Joey, getting my chance off the manager John Neal, the cup runs, the wins, the laughs…“And although the goal against Arsenal at the end of my career is always mentioned, the best one I ever scored was when we won at Spurs.“I got two in that game that night and one was a half-volley which flew past Pat Jennings and into the top corner.“And when we went down the tunnel at half-time, Big Pat was waiting for me and I’m thinking, ‘Aye aye, what’s going on?’“He had huge hands and he put out his right one to shake mine and said, ‘I’d never heard of you but I think I’ll do so a lot in the future — that was a great goal, well done’.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I had nine great years at Wrexham but my time has gone.“Now I’m a fan and no one will be happier than me if the current team ends up as their greatest ever.”Mickey Thomas scored a memorable FA Cup goal against Arsenal in 1992Credit: AlamyThe Red Dragons stars celebrate their FA Cup shotCredit: GettyThomas struggled to enjoy his spell at Old TraffordCredit: PA:Empics SportThomas is happy now to watch his former side Wrexham as a fanCredit: Getty More