Tamworth sign EFL's Howley and Isichei on loanpublished at 19:34 GMT 6 February
19:34 GMT 6 February
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Image caption,
Ryan Howley joined Bristol Rovers last summer after leaving Coventry
Tamworth have signed Bristol Rovers midfielder Ryan Howley and Birmingham City forward Daniel Isichei on loan deals until the end of the season.
Howley, 23, who began his career with Coventry, joined the Pirates last summer and has featured in League Two six times this season.
Forward Isichei, 19, who arrives from the Blues' academy, is yet to make a senior appearance at St Andrews, but has started 10 Premier League 2 games so far this campaign, scoring two goals.
The pair join Cardiff City forward Michael Reindorf as Tamworth's third loan signing of the week.
EFL's 'Scan to Smile' highlights community workpublished at 17:57 GMT 23 January
17:57 GMT 23 January
Image source, EFL
A new initiative highlighting the work of football club charities has been launched by the English Football League (EFL).
'Scan to Smile' will be rolled out in stadiums across the EFL from Friday until the end of January, with supporters invited to scan QR codes on posters displayed around grounds.
Each scan will unlock a short, uplifting story from a person whose life has been positively impacted by the support of their local club charity.
The subjects tackled include mental health support, combating loneliness, improving physical wellbeing, employability and confidence.
The EFL said it hoped the initiative would use "the reach and influence of football to offer fans a moment of positivity on matchday".
Trevor Birch, chief executive at the EFL, said: "Behind every club are people whose lives have been positively changed through the work and dedication of their local EFL club charity.
"This initiative gives supporters the chance to see that impact first-hand and reminds us that football truly is a force for good."
EFL games to kick off late for CPR awarenesspublished at 12:21 GMT 21 January
12:21 GMT 21 January
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Image caption,
Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for Luton Town in December 2023
All English Football League games across a four-day period in February will begin one minute late to raise awareness for the Every Minute Matters campaign.
The initiative will be in place for 36 matches across the Championship, League One and League Two between 5 and 9 February.
EFL sponsor Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) have been working together since May 2024 to highlight the importance of speed when it comes to performing live-saving CPR.
Later kick-off times will serve as "a stark reminder that every minute matters", the EFL said.
Bristol Rovers defender Tom Lockyer collapsed while playing for Luton Town eight minutes into the Championship play-off final against Coventry in May 2023.
Lockyer then suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch seven months later during a Premier League game at Bournemouth.
"What happened to me can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time," said Lockyer, who is now a BHF ambassador.
"Every year, more than 40,000 people in the UK suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and most of them never make it home.
"I'm here today because of the transformative power of CPR as every minute matters when it comes to saving a life.
"This February, we want everyone to get behind this life-saving initiative, learn the skills and be ready to step in because your actions could give someone else the chance I was given."
Throughout February, the Every Minute Matters campaign will call on fans to learn CPR using the BHF's online RevivR, external tool.
"Each minute without CPR reduces a person's chance of survival, so we're urging fans to learn the skills now, before you ever need them," said Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the BHF.
EFL chief executive officer Trevor Birch added: "The one minute kick-off adjustment is a simple, powerful reminder that swift CPR can be the difference between life and death."
Image source, Shutterstock Editorial
