More stories

  • in

    I’m a rising Premier League star and been tipped for England – but I’m training to be an AIRLINE PILOT when I retire

    THE SKY’S the limit for Leif Davis, who has propelled Ipswich from League One to the Prem.Attacking left-back Davis has even been tipped as an England international after his stunning rise with the Tractor Boys.Ipswich Town star Leif Davis is training to become an airline pilotDavis has been tipped to become an England star after a bright start in the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyAnd he will still be aiming high once he hangs up his boots — in a new career as an airline pilot.Aviation-mad Davis, 24, spends his down-time on the controls of a flight simulator.He said: “A private pilot licence would be the start and I can decide what I want to do after what is hopefully a successful career.“I taught myself to do it. The software is called FlightSim, which is where other people in the world are also on it.Read More on Football“There will be someone, say, on a computer in London and he will be doing air traffic control.“So if I’m flying I have got to speak to him while doing that as well. It is like real life but on the computer.“It’s a thing I’ve always done. You don’t have to look at your phone, you don’t have to think about football, it just switches you off from everything.”Ipswich travel to Brentford on Saturday — just five miles from Heathrow Airport — still searching for that elusive first Premier League win in over 24 years.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSKieran McKenna’s side, who jumped from League One to the top flight in successive seasons, have drawn four games and lost four so far.It has been a steep learning curve for the Town players, few of whom have played at the top level before.Football icons’ strange hobbiesDavis already has big plans for his retirementCredit: GettyDavis couldn’t believe he was lining up against Mo Salah at the start of the seasonCredit: GettyBut Davis insists his hobby of coaxing virtual Boeings and Airbuses into the air has helped him improve on the pitch.He said: “You have got to focus on that one thing — or your plane is going down!“You have to focus on it all the time but that focus helps me take it into training.“You know what you have got to do when you are focused — how good you can be.“It’s when you switch off for a second that’s when disasters can happen.”Former Leeds man Davis revealed he has spent time in the wide blue yonder in the cockpit of a light aircraft.Impressing experienced pilotsAnd he surprised an airline pilot with his knowledge of how to land a jet.He said: “I have been up there a few times in a little Cessna but not flying a big plane.“I actually got the chance when we went to Austria for pre-season to go in the cockpit and do the landing with the pilot, which was my highlight of the year.You have got to focus on that one thing — or your plane is going down!Leif Davis“It was the best thing I have ever done in my life, just seeing in person how they do it.“The captain was talking us through it and I’d say, ‘Oh, you are not doing that’ and he would say, ‘I’m just about to!’“I actually knew a lot of what he was doing and he was shocked.Surprise Prem pilot ace“He kept looking at me as though, ‘How do you know this?’ but I just kept my mouth shut.“It was mad how I knew what he was doing.”Davis, who has just penned a new four-year deal at Town, would not be the first celebrity pilot should he get his wings eventually.Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson has flown Liverpool and Rangers to European matches in the past.And Davis revealed that he is not the only current Prem star who likes to get airborne.When we got promoted it didn’t sink in properly until that first day when we were in the tunnel. You look to your left and there is Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk.Leif DavisHe said: “I think Chris Wood at Nottingham Forest has got his pilot licence as well.“I don’t think it’s just me that would love to do it, there are other players who have their licence already.“It’s a different hobby to everyone else. Look at Ben White, he doesn’t even watch football.“When I was at Leeds with him he hated watching it. Well, probably not hated it but his hobby was something else.”’Welcome back to the Prem’Davis is the only Portman Road promotion hero to play every minute of league action so far, starting with a narrow 2-1 defeat at home to Liverpool on the opening day.The defender, who made two top-flight appearances off the bench at Leeds, said: “It was welcome back to the Prem!READ MORE SUN STORIES“When we got promoted it didn’t sink in properly until that first day when we were in the tunnel. You look to your left and there is Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk.“I’ve loved every minute of it even though we have not yet got the win we wanted.” More

  • in

    Brighton star Julio Enciso faints on plane on way to international duty as passenger comes to his rescue

    BRIGHTON star Julio Enciso has revealed that he fainted on the plane while travelling to international duty.The Paraguayan, 20, claimed he “almost died” – before being helped out by a fellow passenger.Julio Enciso was in action for Brighton against Tottenham last SundayCredit: RexEnciso was in action as a 73rd minute substitute during Brighton’s 3-2 win over Tottenham last Sunday.He then jetted to South America, where Paraguay are set to battle Ecuador in Quito.On the plane over, Enciso began to feel unwell.Since arriving in Ecuador, he has detailed his flight ordeal.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAs per Sport Witness, the attacking midfielder said: “My head hurts. I almost died, I fainted on the plane.”I was powerless, I didn’t eat or sleep well. At one point I got up to go to the bathroom and I felt like I was falling.”Enciso went on to reveal what managed to perk him up.He added: “A guy grabbed me and took me to the front; He made me drink coke and a Japanese soup and that did me good.”Most read in FootballThe Brighton ace will hope to feel fully 100 per cent again for his team’s clash with Ecuador tomorrow evening.Paraguay are then set to host Venezuela next Tuesday, in what could be a crucial World Cup qualifier.Former Chelsea manager Potter weighs in on Postecoglou’s ‘shell-shocked’ interview after Brighton’s win over Spurs Despite his youth, Enciso is already a key man for his country.He has already earned 19 caps, having debuted in 2021.Enciso is yet to start a Premier League game for Brighton under boss Fabian HurzelerHis five Prem outings this term have all come from the bench – although he has started League Cup games against Crawley and Wolves.Enciso helped Brighton see out their comeback win over SpursCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Incredible video shows plan for world’s first ‘vertiport’ for FLYING CAR racing dubbed the ‘Formula One of the skies’

    INCREDIBLE plans have been revealed for the world’s first “vertiport” set to host the “Formula One of the Skies” for flying car races. The cutting-edge designs for the impressive 360-degree flying deck have been revealed in video footage that promises a future filled with high-speed air racing. The incredible vertiports that will host F1 races for flying carsAn F1-inspired flying car revealed in the design videoFlying cars from the future pitting against each other in the skiesCredit: AirspeederAt the top of the arena is the viewing deck where the audience can be seen enjoying spectacular views of the raceCredit: AirspeederThe vertiport is being envisioned as an event venue where flying F1 races could be hosted. It is being designed as a revolutionary viewing deck that will be surrounded by air race tracks where fully crewed flying cars will pit against each other. The league promises to be “the world’s first electric flying car racing series”. Developed by a London-based tech firm Airspeeder, the vertiport will give an “unmatched experience” of the race. more on flying cars While it is still in its concept stage, the tech startup collaborated with HOK, a global architecture firm – to develop renders of what vertiports could look like in the future. Incredible footage shows F1-like flying cars racing in the skies around the vertiport. At the top of the arena is the viewing deck where the audience can be seen enjoying spectacular views of the race. And with a glass facade all around the deck, viewers get panoramic views of the event from each direction. Most read in MotorsportAccording to plans, the vertiport will feature “airside zones” with retractable landing pads for flying cars to land and take off – and will be used as pit stops in between competitions. The Skydeck will feature a module design – and can be fully disassembled or expanded according to needs. Hypersonic jet capable of flying from London to Texas in 2 hours prepares for first major test flight next yearAnd just like F1 races, the design will initially accommodate up to 10 teams with 20 Airspeeders that race against each other at the tracks. Stephen Sidlo, a senior executive at the tech startup, said: “We believe that flying car racing will initiate a new mobility revolution, advancing E-VTOL and EV technology to benefit the entire industry.”This collaboration with HOK represents not just a new sport but the future of high-speed, sustainable mobility.” Reacting to the incredible designs, one social media user said: “Cutting-edge design meets futuristic racing! Exciting times ahead for airborne motorsport.”While another joked: “Let’s fly baby!” Many tech companies are not putting their bets on long-term plans to develop flying cars. A Californian company has signed a deal with Dubai which could see tourists ferried across the UAE city by flying taxis from next year.The luxury means of travel will involve paying passengers booking their desired trip through an app and wait at “vertiports”, similar to today’s airports, for a propeller-powered taxi to pick them up.Each VTOL aircraft will be able to carry four passengers and one pilot.READ MORE SUN STORIESTravelling at speeds of up to 198 miles per hour, customers will enjoy a unique view of Dubai while making their way to their destinations.According to Joby Aviation, the US company behind the all-electric aircraft, a flight from Dubai Airport to the glitzy tree-shaped island of Palm Jumeirah will take just 10 minutes by air taxi.Flying ‘super car’ unveiled at CESA FLYING car has been unveiled in a world-first international debut at CES 2024 in Las Vegas.The car has been designed by XPeng Aeroht, which refers to itself as the largest flying car manufacturer in Asia.The Chinese company has called the car the “eVTOL flying supercar.”We exclusively spoke to the co-founder, vice president, and chief designer of Xpeng Aeroht, Wang Tan, about the need for flying cars in the future.He told The U.S. Sun: “Humans are 3D animals but the transportation is 2D.”Everybody wants to fly actually and to have another view, another angle, to see the gorgeous view.”He added that users will be able to beat traffic and fly out of congestion zones.Tan said he’s flown in another flying vehicle that he designed but hasn’t been in the eVTOL flying supercar as it’s still being worked on.CES attendees witnessed a live demonstration of propellers shooting from the car.SPEED MACHINES Incredible video shows plan for world’s first ‘vertiport’ for FLYING CAR racing dubbed the ‘Formula One of the skies’,Credit: Airspeeder More

  • in

    Jeff Stelling slams EasyJet for letting ‘loud, abusive & drunk passenger on flight who kicked seats & made farm noises’

    JEFF Stelling has slammed EasyJet for allegedly letting a “loud, abusive and drunk” passenger on his flight who kicked seats and made farm noises.The Sky Soccer Saturday legend blasted the airline after the lout sparked trouble on his flight home from the Algarve in Portugal.Jeff Stelling blasted EasyJet on WednesdayCredit: AFPHe said cabin crew let on a drunk and abusive passengerCredit: GettyHe claimed that cabin crew gave the man a whole row to himself – letting him kick and pull Jeff’s seat.Posting on Twitter, Jeff said: “How drunk do you have to be to be unfit to fly? “A man, loud and abusive in the terminal at Faro, was permitted on board despite being paralytic.”EasyJet staff were aware. He kicked and pulled the seats in front and made farmyard noises from every orifice all flight. Unpleasant.”Read More SportAn EasyJet customer services worker asked Jeff to send him a message – but to no avail.Jeff, 69, said: “Too late guys. He was disruptive in terminal as everyone could tell. “At final check before boarding, I was told they were calling a supervisor. “Crew moved him so he could have a row to himself – just happened to be behind me. Most read in Football”He was on the phone during take off and on landing. His language was loud and abusive. “It was uncomfortable to be sitting knowing drunken you was right behind.”I spoke to the on board crew and they said it was a ground staff decision to allow him on. “No wonder you get so many in flight incidents with drunks if no action taken.”EasyJet said: “Like all other airlines, we have strict guidelines about the consumption of alcohol onboard.”Any passenger who appears to be under the influence of alcohol will be refused alcohol onboard.”A spokesperson added: “Prior to departure we communicate our alcohol policy to customers.”We ask that should they wish to consume alcohol purchased onboard, that they do so responsibly,  considering others onboard. More

  • in

    Plane flying England fans back from Germany after Euros defeat makes emergency landing after ‘strange smell’ in cabin

    A FLIGHT packed with heartbroken England fans was forced to make an emergency landing due to a “strange smell” in the cabin.Just minutes after taking off from Berlin this morning, the flight heading for Manchester was forced to return to the German airport.The Eurowings flight was forced to make an emergency landing and was met by fire services on the tarmacCredit: X/@jhats90The flight was packed with England fans returning from GermanyCredit: GettyThe plane landed back at Berlin shortly before 8.30amCredit: GettyFlight radars showed that the Eurowings EW8470 took off at 8.09am and climbed to 10,000 feet before turning around and landing back at Berlin at 8.26am.The aircraft was met by the airport fire service upon landing.The flight was carrying several distraught England fans after their 2-1 Euros loss to champions Spain on Sunday night.Supporter Gareth Davies from Wigan, told The Independent: “A few minutes into the flight the captain came on and said we had to go back to Berlin due to a warning light flashing on the controls.Read more on Euros“Upon landing we sat there for a short period and :a smell of burning entered the cabin. “We were told not to worry about the fire engines, take our luggage and not to take photos or videos ‘because we don’t want to be on TikTok’.”We disembarked and gathered on the Tarmac surrounded by firefighters before buses took us to the terminal. “Upon arrival at the terminal there was no one there except passport control. Most read in Euro 2024″We hadn’t been told what would happen next so we all went through passport control.“People had no clue about their checked bags and many exited the baggage hall – I only had carry on.”Were you on Eurowings flight EW8470? Email Juliana Cruz Lima on juliana.cruzlima@the-sun.co.ukA Lufthansa subsidiary, Eurowings has its headquarters based in Dusseldorf.Operating a network of mostly domestic flights to and from Berlin, the airline had scheduled a number of additional flights from London and Manchester to Berlin to meet demand from England fans.Eurowings said in a statement: “Flight EW8470 from Berlin to Manchester made an unscheduled return to Berlin this morning due to an undefined odour in the cabin.England fans belt out incredible rendition of God Save The King in Berlin’s Olympiastadio ahead of England vs Spain“An ‘air emergency’ was declared, a standard procedure to obtain a prioritised landing. The aircraft landed normally at BER at around 8.30 am.“Passengers and crew left the aircraft via passenger stairs provided and were taken to the terminal by bus.”The aircraft was then inspected by the fire brigade. There were no findings. There was neither a fire nor smoke in the cabin.READ MORE SUN STORIES“There were 150 passengers on board the Airbus A319. There was no danger to passengers or crew at any time.”Safety is always the top priority at Eurowings. The passengers affected will be rebooked on alternative flights.”THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.England fans were devastated after losing to Spain at the Euros final on SundayCredit: RexEurowings had scheduled extra flights to and from Germany to meet the demand of Brit supportersCredit: GettyFlight radars show the plane returning to the airport this morningCredit: Flight Radar24 More

  • in

    Hero BA air hostess ensured passengers could watch England’s penalty shootout win over Switzerland mid-flight

    A QUICK-thinking air hostess ensured passengers saw England’s penalty shootout win over Switzerland mid-flight.She came to the rescue after Saturday’s BA flight from Heraklion, Greece, to Heathrow was delayed.A quick-thinking BA air hostess ensured passengers saw England’s penalty shootout win over Switzerland by holding up a phoneCredit: XIt meant travellers who had hoped to land in time to see the end of the game were still in the air when extra time ended and penalties approached.Take-off of the Airbus A321 twin-jet was pushed back from 4.50pm to 5.27pm, meaning touchdown in the UK was not until 7.20pm, rather than the scheduled 6.32pm landing.But the flight attendant held up a phone to passengers — who could not use their own — so they could watch the gripping climax streamed live.Impressed flyers looked on in delight as penalty hero Trent Alexander-Arnold secured the 5-3 spot-kick victory following the 1-1 draw.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLPassenger Lee Douglas said: “Well done that crew.” Another described her as “an angel”.BA bosses are set to announce special tech plans to enable passengers to watch the Netherlands game today when flying at 30,000ft.England’s penalty shoot-out secrets More

  • in

    Mike Tyson speaks for first time after suffering medical emergency as boxing legend delivers health update

    MIKE TYSON has spoken for the first time since suffering a medical emergency on a plane to Los Angeles.The 57-year-old became nauseous and dizzy on a flight yesterday after suffering what was believed to be a stomach ulcer flare-up.Tyson suffered a medical emergency on his planeCredit: instagram @miketysonMike Tyson and Jake Paul will do battle on July 20Credit: RexHe has now offered an update on his condition to concerned followers on X.Iron Mike wrote: “Now feeling 100% even though I don’t need to be to beat Jake Paul.”He is set to fight Paul on July 20 at the AT&T Arena in Arlington, Texas.There were obvious fears as to whether the fight would go ahead yesterday after Tyson’s health scare.READ MORE BOXING NEWSWith Paul aged 27, Tyson is more than 30 years older than his adversary and there is concerns for Tyson’s health.After paramedics rushed to Tyson’s flight from Miami to LA, a source told the New York Post: “He became nauseous and dizzy due to an ulcer flare up 30 minutes before landing.“He is appreciative to the medical staff that were there to help him.”An eyewitness said: “He was in first class, but we were an exit row.Most read in BoxingCredit: The Sun”They asked us to stay on the plane and landed so paramedics could enter. [The stewardess] said something like, ‘He’s a really important passenger so we wanna make sure he’s OK.’ I knew it was him, but I just mouthed the words ‘Mike Tyson’ and she nodded her head yes.”Tyson previously said that he suffers from the nerve condition sciatica in the past, and that the condition has left him unable to walk and talk on occasion.Jake Paul and Mike Tyson showcase their jacked physiques ahead of insane body transformations He said: ” have sciatica every now and then, it flares up. When it flares up, I can’t even talk! Thank God it’s the only health problem I have. I’m splendid now.“Everybody in my house is truly blessed and we’re all very grateful for whatever we have.”Paul, meanwhile, rubbished claims that the proposed fight had been called off due to Tyson’s health struggles.He took to X to address the rumours and said: “You love to make s*** up before knowing the facts for clicks/likes. Nothing changed #PaulTyson”The cross-generational bout will be streamed on Netflix.What is sciatica?
    Sciatica is a condition that causes nerve irritation.
    It usually affects one side, starting from the lower back or bottom and spreading down one leg.
    Symptoms of sciatica include shooting pain that starts in your lower back or bottom and runs down the back of your leg, often to your foot and toes.
    Common treatments for sciatica include exercises and stretches. Other treatments like injections or surgery may help if it does not get better.
    Sciatica can occur when something presses or rubs on the sciatic nerve. The most common cause is a slipped disc in your spine. More

  • in

    Middlesbrough players left ‘a bit tetchy’ after plane drama that saw aircraft ‘blown all over the place’ trying to land

    MIDDLESBROUGH had to suffer a dramatic plane ride that saw the aircraft “blown all over the place” as they travelled down south to play Southampton.Boro snatched a last-gasp 1-1 draw at St Mary’s thanks to Emmanuel Latte Lath’s equaliser in the 90th-minute mark which cancelled out Adam Armstrong’s opener.Middlesbrough underwent a rough plane ride before the Southampton drawCredit: GettyMiddlesbrough boss Michael Carrick admitted that flight left his players ‘a bit tetchy’Credit: GettyMichael Carrick and his men went above and beyond against Saints considering the unpleasant journey they experienced heading to Hampshire.Strong winds led to an aborted landing that almost diverted the aircraft back to the Midlands.However, the pilots managed to get the job done at the second attempt.Nevertheless, Carrick admitted the incident left some of his players “a bit tetchy” and thinking they would rather have a long road trip back home rather than getting back on a plane.Read More on FootballMiddlesbrough didn’t get to their hotel until the late hours but still managed to scrap a point at Southampton the next day.Carrick said as per The Telegraph: “We didn’t get to the hotel until late last night after an aborted landing.“We were getting blown all over the place and we came down to land then had to take off as well and I’m thinking, ‘Oh God, it’s one of them’.“Then we were going to get diverted to Birmingham… It wasn’t pleasant.”Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERCarrick added as per The Northern Echo: “We came to land, didn’t touch down, but then had to take off again. “It was tasty and some of the boys were a bit tetchy, absolutely. It wasn’t pleasant. Football icons’ strange hobbies”I think a few of the boys are talking about just getting the coach all the way back!”It’s been a bit hectic but it brings you together and I think that’s why in the end you think everything you go through, I’m so pleased the lads got something from it.”Middlesbrough still managed to deliver a blow to Southampton’s hopes of automatic promotion to the Premier League as Russell Martin’s men are now nine points away from second place. More