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.
You should be extremely proud of what you’ve done in your career, absolute top lad and player, wish you all the best with the next part of your journey 💙
— Barry Ashby (@Ashby1Barry) March 21, 2019
Sorry to hear you bad news mate I don’t know you personally but gutted for you and all your family to read this ..take the positives lad..stay strong💪🏼 good luck in whatever next for you👍 ps no more shanks ⚽️ in the top bin 🤣 #lastseason👏🏼 health always first #healthyiswealthy
— KEVINELLY (@KEVIN11ELLISON) March 21, 2019
Hi Fraser, I personally don’t know you but it must had been a very hard decision from what I read. Wishing you all the best mate 👍
— Sergio Torres (@Sergio_Torres08) March 21, 2019
Thank you for everything you’ve done for our club! We wont forget how amazing you’ve been for us. You truly are a class act both on and off the field! All the best Fraser 💛🖤
— Logan (@LKBusuttil) March 21, 2019
https://twitter.com/Mark_E_Marxist/status/1108745147397885952
You my friend are one of life’s true gents, I have known you all your life, and it’s been a privilege to watch you grow into the man you are today you lived your dream played football and it’s been a great journey, there’s along way to go ❤️❤️
— 𝓘𝓽 𝓲𝓼 𝓲 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓯𝓵𝓪𝓽𝓽𝓶𝓪𝓷 🔝 (@gogoflatt) March 21, 2019
Sorry to hear this Fraser.i wish you all the best in the future. It will be hard but you will adapt and focus on your new family. From a Grimsby Town fan x
— Sharon Codd🌻 (@Sha0308) March 21, 2019
So sorry to hear this. Always enjoyed watching your classy but whole-hearted performances for the Dons. Especially *that* Crawley game… All the best for starting a family and whatever's next.
— Chris Lines (@NarrowTheAngle) March 21, 2019
All the best Frazer. Stay strong mate. A tough but correct decision. Nothing is more important than your on going health and family. Good luck for the future. 👊🏻
— SouthamptonExile (@SotonExile) March 21, 2019
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