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      Footballer Alex Fletcher, 25, retires after terrifying collision with advertising hoarding left him in a coma

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      ALEX FLETCHER has retired from football at the age of 25.The footballer overcame being in a coma and a fractured skull after he crashed into an advertising hoarding in 2022.Alex Fletcher has retired from footballCredit: Not known, clear with picture deskHis last club was Batch CityCredit: Bath City FCThe forward suffered the horrific incident while playing for Bath City in a National League South clash against Dulwich Hamlet.Fletcher had to undergo emergency surgery before having to relearn to walk.After nine months, he returned to the pitch for the first time since the incident and joined Weston-super-Mare last October.However, he has now confirmed that he has called time on his career on social media.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe wrote: “For me, carrying on playing football would be one step too far, and I’m really gutted about it.”I think I owed it to myself to get back on the pitch, that really did drive my recovery.”I felt like if I had that opportunity to return to the pitch stripped away from me, I wouldn’t have been able to deal with that emotionally.”Since I’ve made my recovery back on the pitch there was something about my game that was missing.Most read in Football”All three of those components for football are the biggest part of what made me a good player.”Fletcher insisted that he has not “felt the same” as the collision left him with issues with his balance, timing and coordination.Premier League Fixtures released for 2024/25 seasonHe has also been having to deal with being permanently deaf in his left ear.Fletcher started his career at Plymouth Argyle and made 24 appearances for the club.He had two loan spells away from the Pilgrims at Torquay United and Aldershot Town.He then moved to Tiverton Town before signing for Bath in 2021.Weston-super-Mare manager Scott Bartlett hailed Fletcher after he announced his retirement.He added: “He is an intelligent person with a great family, who recently had a very important new addition.READ MORE SUN STORIES”That is obviously the most important thing.”I have not known Alex for long in the grand scheme of things but he had made an impression on me and the rest of our club.”Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Sacked EFL manager to replace Patrick Vieira as boss of Chelsea’s sister club in shock move

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      PATRICK VIEIRA is set to be replaced as Strasbourg boss by a recently-axed EFL manager, it’s been claimed.The former Arsenal and France midfielder was given his marching orders by the Ligue 1 side this week, just a year after being given the job.Patrick Vieira was given the boot by Strasbourg this weekCredit: PAThe former Crystal Palace gaffer is now contention to take charge of the USACredit: APLiam Rosenior is on the brink of replacing Vieira as Strasbourg chiefCredit: RexStrasbourg are working frantically to try to find a new manager before they kick off their domestic campaign in a month’s time.And they are reportedly on the verge of appointing Liam Rosenior as Viera’s successorThat’s according to L’Equipe, who claim the BluCo brass – who also own Premier League big boys Chelsea – are on the brink of making him the French outfit’s new gaffer.Rosenior, 40, has reportedly pipped former Millwall and Rochdale bosses Joe Edwards and Brian Barry-Murphy to land the gig.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe seemingly imminent appointment of Rosenior comes as a shock as he was sacked by Hull in May.He was given the boot by The Championship side after failing to guide them into the play-offs.Rosenior said after his departure from MKM Stadium: “It has been an honour, a joy and a pleasure to lead a football club that I love for the last 18 months. “I would like to thank every member of staff, every player I worked with, every fan who supported us on the journey and also to Acun Ilicali and Tan Kesler for believing in me enough to give me the opportunity to manage Hull City.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“I take immense pride in the massive progress and growth of the club in this period, both on and off the pitch, and the small part I played in it.”I genuinely hope that the hard work of everybody at the football club continues to move things in an upward trajectory.Hull City SACK Liam Rosenior in shock decision just weeks after Manager of the Year nomination“Working with Acun, Tan and his football brain team has been an incredible learning experience and with the passion, energy, determination and hard work they have put into this club.”I am sure they will get the vision and success that they crave in the long term.“Seeing the team and players develop, improve and grow in an 18 month period, in a style that we believed in, has been amazing.”And I have enjoyed every moment of working with an outstanding group of people who gave me trust, spirit and togetherness, not just in games, but in every single training session that we worked in.”Great people who I have loved being around. Always together.”Rosenior’s first competitive game in charge of Strasbourg – if he’s appointed as their new manager – will be the club’s Ligue 1 opener against Montpellier on August 18.Liam Rosenior has been a free agent since being sacked by Hull in MayCredit: GETTY More

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      EFL club’s dream of building new £130m, 16,000-seater stadium on 250-YEAR deal given major boost

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      CHAMPIONSHIP club Oxford United have received a huge boost in their plans to build a new stadium.The U’s, who were promoted to England’s second tier following promotion from League One last season, drew up plans for a £130million project allowing them to build a new home.Oxford United have received a boost for plans to build a new £130m stadiumThe club’s lease on the Kassam Stadium runs out in 2026Credit: PAOxford United currently play at the 12,500-capacity Kassam Stadium, which was built in 1997 and opened in 2001.However, the lease on their current home – owned by Firoka who are operated by the club’s former owner Firoz Kassam – runs out in 2026.And Oxford chiefs have wasted no time in trying to secure the team’s long-term foundations.In October 2023 the club released details for plans to relocate to a new home at the Triangle near Kidlington, and move into the Cherwell district.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 16,000-seater stadium would see the club sign a staggering 250-year deal, according to BBC Oxford Sport.The club had been granted permission for the stunning build back in May after signing a provisional legally binding agreement with Oxfordshire County Council.However, the deal hinged on them gaining permission from Cherwell District Council.In great news for the project, on Monday Oxford councillors voted in favour of the motion tabled by Labour member Mary Clarkson to “support” their plan.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSShe said the body wants the club to be “secure in a new stadium which offers a lot of improvements”.And it now means a planning permission application could be submitted to Cherwell District Council early next year.Work out which global sporting icon lives in this waterside padOn the move, chairman of the OxVox independent supporters’ trust, Paul Peros, said it would improve infrastructure and bring “vitality to the area”.He added the club and councils “can’t let the vocal minority rob us of that chance”.However, opponents to the move have highlighted the loss of green belt land along with traffic and pollution issues. More

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      Premier League clubs sniffing around 15-year-old EFL wonderkid who’s set to bag first-team role this season

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      STEVENAGE are fighting off Premier League interest in rising star Ryan Doherty — who is in their first team at just 15.The League One outfit gave the midfielder 45 minutes against Luton in a behind-closed-doors game last week.Ryan Doherty has drawn interest from a host of Premier League academiesCredit: Stevenage FCBoro do not want to lose the smooth-passing talent but may have to if a major offer comes in.Doherty, who plays primarily as a midfielder has progressed quickly and his development has alerted Premier League sides to his ability.The Prem clubs interested remain unnamed, but it is thought that a host of top flight outfits are keen to acquire his services for their academies.Doherty is set to feature regularly in the first team squad next season under new boss Alex Revell.read more football newsThe schoolboy also impressed in his 30 minutes against Watford on Saturday.Stevenage held Championship side Watford to a 2-2 draw at the Lamex Stadium.Stevenage often give opportunities to youngsters after playing 15-year-old goalkeeper Max Woodford against Crystal Palace U21s in the EFL trophy last season. And fans took to social media to praise the talented teenager.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOne wrote: “Doherty is incredibly impressive. Hope he gets a chance to play in League One before the elites swoop in.”Another said: “Cracking little player – won’t be around for much longer, I wouldn’t have thought.”England’s Billion Pound Players: The Clash with SpainA third declared: “Great stuff, always fresh to see a young prodigy break through.”While another added: “Someone born in 2009 now playing for the Boro, seems like it was only yesterday!”Inside humble Ollie Watkins’ remarkable rise from non-league to England’s Euro 2024 heroNINE summers ago Ollie Watkins went on a lads’ holiday after helping to save Conference South side Weston-Super-Mare from relegation, writes Dan King.Now he’s just fired England into the Euro 2024 final with a sensational 90th-minute winner.And even helped Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League last season.Watkins arrived on the Somerset coast as a teenaged striker on loan from League Two Exeter in December 2014.His 10 goals in 24 league games were a big factor in stopping Weston from slipping into the sixth tier for the first time in their history – and in giving them something to celebrate on a post-season trip to Spain.But it was also his workrate and attitude that earned him the respect of the dressing room, and helped him take the first significant steps on the road to stardom.Ryan Northmore, boss of Weston at the time, said: “His goals saved the club from relegation. But he contributed much more than his goals, which is really important when you’re scrapping away for your lives.“He wasn’t just sat at the top of the pitch waiting for the ball to come. He would roll his sleeves up and get involved in all aspects of the game.”Days after joining, Watkins made an instant impact with an equaliser against Farnborough.Team-mate Tom Jordan said: “He always struck me as the kind of lad who had his eyes wide open to different aspects of the game.“Sometimes you would have loan lads come in from a League club to non-League and they would be looking at you like they were doing you a favour.“His attitude was very different. He was coming in thinking, ‘I’m going to learn from this experience’.”It was during Watkins’ spell at Weston that the then Walsall boss Dean Smith spotted him.Smith would later take the striker to Brentford and bring him to Villa, where he has reached new levels under current boss Unai Emery.But Watkins has never forgotten the part that Weston played in his rise to the top.One of his Villa shirts is on display there, he has spoken to young players coming through and happily tells the local press how important and enjoyable his time at the club was.And he even helped fund an end-of-season boys’ trip to Spain due to his fines for being late – although he was allowed to join the rest of the squad.Read all about Ollie Watkins’ incredible rise in full… More

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      League One club brutally trolled by fans for treating stars to Ryanair flight in pre-season

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      CHARLTON were ruthlessly trolled by football fans for putting their players on a Ryanair flight for a pre-season trip.The Addicks will face Turkish side Goztepe in Slovenia on Saturday as they prepare for the 2024/25 campaign.Charlton’s players were seen boarding and getting off the Ryanair flightCredit: instagram @cafcofficialFans ridiculed the club for making their players get on a budget airlineCredit: instagram @cafcofficialAnd Charlton’s official social media channels shared footage of them boarding their flight after a quick stop off at food outlet Leon.But fans were less than impressed by the fact they were made to use budget airline Ryanair.And they quickly ripped into the third-tier club after Charlton shared the video and caption: “Touchdown 🛬 #cafc.”One user replied: “Ryanair, what you couldn’t get the boys anything better? 😂”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile another added: “Glad you all made it safely, flying with Ryanair 🤣😂.”A third said: “Ryanair? Are you sure you’ve got everyone?”And a fourth responded: “Hope CAFC got the boys priority boarding 😆.”After their trip to Slovenia, Charlton have other pre-season friendlies against Millwall, Wimbledon and Portsmouth.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThey then begin their League One campaign away at Wigan on August 10.On Sunday, Charlton announced the signing of Scottish midfielder Greg Docherty.Man Utd fans in meltdown over moment Kobbie Mainoo ‘sends Joe Gomez back to Charlton Athletic’ in England training The 27-year-old was released by Championship side Hull at the end of the season and has now dropped down to League One. More

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      League One announce never-before-seen opening day fixtures but supporters say ‘already not a fan of this’

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      THE EFL have announced that League One games will start at 5:30pm on the opening weekend in a broadcasting first – and fans are not happy.All EFL fixtures are set for live broadcast on Sky Sports during the first weekend – including matches scheduled for 3pm on Saturday.The Sky fixtures for the Championship, League One and League Two were all announced on WednesdayCredit: GettyBut League One fans have been left reeling with the late kick-offs on the opening weekendCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe 2024/2025 season will see the launch of a brand new five-year broadcast deal between the EFL and Sky Sports – with talkSPORT holding national radio rights for the next four years.This will replace the current iFollow service for UK based supporters.The new deal will allow League One fans to watch their teams on the telly over 20 times a season for the first time.In most cases, 3pm kick-offs on Saturday are not allowed to be shown by domestic broadcasters under Article 48 of Uefa’s statutes.read more football newsBut the new-look opening weekend will NOT be subjected to the 3pm blackout for the first time ever.Yet all League One first day fixtures will start at 5:30pm on August 10, with League Two being offered all 3pm slots.However blackout restrictions will remain in place for the rest of the season, meaning more games will be played outside the traditional time slot.Footie fans have a deep love for Saturday 3pm kick offs – there is a notion that something about football is lost if a game doesn’t kick off at that time.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe blackout idea came about to ensure football matches still attract large attendances despite some games beginning to be televised.And League One fans – particularly those with long away trips – are not impressed with the change to more evening kick-offs.Fans ask ‘did the Year 8s have the gym booked out’ as EFL star forced to do fitness induction in CANTEENOne fuming Leyton Orient fan wrote: “5:30 kick off on the first day? already not a massive fan of this new broadcast deal.”Another wrote: “Opening day kicks off at 5:30pm. Which is annoying!”A third commented: “Pardon? Oh no I don’t like this.”While another said: “Wow only League 2 have been given Saturday 3pm games – Sky Sports are well and truly ruining football!”A fourth chimed in: “Those EFL kick-off times across on the opening day are hideous, 11 games kicking off at 5.30 in the third division.”Another user wrote: “RIP traditional 3pm kick-offs on a Saturday.”The regular EFL season will begin on the weekend of 10-11 August and run until 3 May 2025.Who are these famous footballers?BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS More

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      Bizarre EFL Trophy draw sees two clubs from same city separated into Northern and Southern regions

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      THE EFL Trophy draw bizarrely saw two clubs from same city separated into Northern and Southern regions. Clubs from League One and League Two and some Under-21 sides from the Premier League join the 64-team tournament.EFL Trophy was won by Peterborough last yearCredit: GettyAll enter from round one and are split into 16 regional groups of four teams, half in the Northern and the remaining in the Southern. The 16 invited U21 teams are placed into their respective Northern and Southern regional groups. And the 48 EFL Clubs are also placed into pre-determined groups.But eyebrows were raised when Nottingham Forest’s U21s were put in the Northern group. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThat is because Notts County were sectioned in the Southern side – despite the teams being just half a mile away from each other. One fan said: “EFL Trophy Group stage draw has #Notts County in the Southern draw It has Forest in the Northern draw. “The stadiums are 300 yards apart.”Another added: “And Notts are the more northernly club.” Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSOne agreed: “And Notts County is the Northern of the two.”Another joked: “Just to make it even more ridiculous, Notts County are further north.” The EFL Trophy was won by Peterborough United, who beat Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 to scoop the £100,000 prize. Tartan Army begins mass exodus from Germany as thousands of Scotland fans head home after Euro 2024 heartbreak More

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      Birmingham ‘explored possibility’ of playing League One game against Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham in AMERICA

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      BIRMINGHAM CITY explored the possibility of going trans-Atlantic with a competitive clash.The move followed Liverpool chairman Tom Werner admitting early this month that he was “determined” to see his club play a Prem games in America.Birmingham City explored the possibility of going trans-Atlantic with a competitive clashCredit: RexBirmingham were said to have wanted to play the clash against Ryan Reynolds’ WrexhamCredit: GettyLiverpool chairman Tom Werner was ‘determined’ to see his club play in AmericaCredit: APHowever, Sun Sport understands that the Blues did NOT ask for permission to play their League One clash with Wrexham state-side.Not that it would have been granted even if they had done so, but the EFL is adamant that no games should ever be staged in the US or in any other foreign country.Both the Blues and Red Dragons are run by Americans, A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in charge of the Welsh club, while NFL legend Tom Brady is the figurehead of the US group in charge at St. Andrews.But any plans Birmingham might have had to go all–American with their meeting with Wrexham – would have been blown out of the water as the EFL fixtures are set to be announced tomorrow.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBirmingham’s first season under their new owners ended in relegation to League One for the first time since 1995. Popular boss John Eustace was sacked when the club was in sixth place and was immediately replaced by Wayne Rooney.But after a horror 83 days in charge, the Man Utd icon oversaw Birmingham crash down to 20th place. Rooney was then replaced by Tony Mowbray but left due to an illness, leaving Gary Rowett in charge when Birmingham went down.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMeanwhile, there have been talks for a Premier League match to take place in the US as football has seen a huge spike in popularity across the pond.But there has been backlash whenever the topic is raised including Werner’s admission that was met with fury from Anfield supporters.How Ryan Reynolds helped to increase the wealth of Wrexham footballersHowever, leading TV executives in the country are still pushing to make it happen. More