Highly rated Newport County defender Fraser Franks has been forced to retire from the game after it was revealed he has a dangerous heart condition.
The former England C released a heartfelt message on social media, revealing he had fallen ill recently and after two opinions has been advised to retire from the game.
He’s intending to stay in the game in some capacity, but that will come in time.
“After becoming ill last month and spending a week in hospital I underwent a number of scans and tests on my heart,” he wrote.
“Cardiologists found an issue with the heart and I have been forced to retire from football. I’ve had various second opinions and it’s clear that I will have to take the medical advice and unfortunately call time on my playing career.”
The 28-year-old has represented Luton, Stevenage, and Wimbledon, winning his England honours whilst at Welling. he won five caps and captained his country.
He was part of the Wimbledon team promoted to the Football league in 2011, a feat he repeated with Luton Town in 2015. He also helped Welling into the National League via the play-offs in 2013.
Tributes have been pouring in from players and fans, thanking him for his efforts and wishing him the best, as you can see below.
https://twitter.com/Ashby1Barry/status/1108732181357182981
https://twitter.com/KEVIN11ELLISON/status/1108798079686373378
https://twitter.com/Sergio_Torres08/status/1108745407683801088
https://twitter.com/LoganNCAFC2001/status/1108731530195681281
https://twitter.com/Mark_E_Marxist/status/1108745147397885952
https://twitter.com/gogoflatt/status/1108739350320345089
https://twitter.com/Sha0308/status/1108804535055720450
https://twitter.com/NarrowTheAngle/status/1108797670448132098
https://twitter.com/SotonExile/status/1108763497347858434
