Wrexham AFC’s star striker, Paul Mullin, has been left hospitalised with a punctured lung after a reckless tackle by Manchester United youngster Nathan Bishopon Wednesday.
The Liverpool-born goalscorer and team talisman, who played a huge role in helping lift the Welsh side out of the National League and back into the English Football League for the first time in 15 years, was left winded and reeling on the pitch following a collision with the Man United youth keeper.
Wrexham’s were playing a pre-season friendly against a team of United’s academy players when 23-year-old Bishop came flying out of his box and smashed into the on-running Mullin.
Left in a heap on the ground, the medical team were immediately called over and the 28-year-old was carried off the pitch and diverted to a nearby hospital.
Manager Phil Parkinson has confirmed Paul Mullin has suffered a punctured lung. Get well soon, Mulls!
Clearly just a mistimed challenge and attempt to claim the ball, Bishop was hooked off at half-time and quickly took to social media to apologise to the now-injured League Two striker.
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“Just wanted to share my sincerest apologies to @PMullin7 A complete misjudgement and a genuine accident with 0 malicious intent at all!” said the young goalkeeper, “Wishing you the speediest recovery and hope to see you back scoring goals as soon as possible!”
Nevertheless, speaking to reporters after the game, Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson confessed he was “fuming” at the major setback ahead of their first and crucial season back in the EFL, labelling the challenge “clumsy, reckless and dangerous” and insisting he should have seen a straight red.
Just catching up on this. Wrexham’s Paul Mullin suffered a punctured lung after an early clash with Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop in their friendly yesterday.
Mullin has since shared an update on his health following the tackle and his punctured lung, posting an image from his hospital bed along with the caption, “Thank you for all your messages! All good here!”.
Wrexham play their first game of the season against local side Wigan Athletic on 8 August but it remains unclear when their main goal threat will be able to return. Not the best start to the year.
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Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag‘s first team play their next pre-season game against Real Madrid in the early hours on Wednesday as fans look to get a first glimpse of their new goalkeeper Andre Onana in action.
Featured Image — Wrexham FC/MUTV/@anuargrafix/Paul Mullin (via Instagram)
Sport
Man City fan jailed after causing £10k damage to a police vehicle following Champions League victory
Emily Sergeant
A Manchester City fan has been jailed for his part in large-scale disorder following the club’s Champions League victory.
The court heard how, following Manchester City’s Champions League Final win over Inter Milan in Istanbul in Turkey on Saturday 10 June 2023, jubilant fans flocked to the streets of Manchester city centre for late-night celebrations.
The large influx of fans in high spirits prompted a police response to ‘ensure public safety’ and ‘prevent any public disorder’, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
However, the disorder did begin to escalate despite police presence.
A number of fans, including 22-year-old Leon Blackett, scaled a police vehicle and proceeded to jump up and down on it, which subsequently caused more than £10,000 worth of damage, and resulted in the vehicle having to be written off.
#JAILED | Leon Blackett (14/01/2003) of Craigmore Avenue, has been been handed a three-month jail term for causing £10k worth of damage to a police vehicle following the club's Champions League win in 2023, along with 41 months for other offences.
Following the disorder, an investigation was launched by GMP’s City Centre policing, with officers obtaining social media and CCTV footage that helped them to identify those responsible.
Blackett admitted to the offence, after he was arrested on Thursday 19 October 2023.
Following admitting to the offence, Blackett was sentenced to 44 months in prison – a three-month jail term for this football-related offence, along with 41 months for possession of a bladed article and a domestic related communications offence.
He has also been given a seven-year Football Banning Order, commencing on the day Blackett received his sentence.
“The actions by Blackett in the wake of Manchester City’s historic Champions League Final victory were completely unacceptable,” commented PC Matt Ford, from GMP’s Specialist Operations Planning Unit.
“This is a timely reminder to those who commit crimes while following the football in another country, we will seek prosecutions for unacceptable behaviour.”
Featured Image – GMP
Sport
Six Nations to stay free-to-air as broadcasters strike new TV deal
Danny Jones
Good news for rugby fans as the Guinness Six Nations is set to remain free-to-air for the foreseeable future following a new deal being struck between the competition and its current broadcasters.
With the 2025 tournament approaching its conclusion, the organisers are already looking ahead to the next year and how to contest will be marketed, with many predicting the rights to be snapped up by a major sporting channel.
Fortunately, however, the Six Nations‘ present coverage partners have managed to keep the games as part of the current TV license package after striking a new four-year deal.
The agreement between BBC and ITV, who air all of the annual fixtures between them at the moment, will see the pair host the matches until 2029 at the very least.
As mentioned, it was thought that broadcasters and streaming platforms like TNT Sports might secure the licensing for at least part of the tournament as they continue to expand their large and varied service but, for now, UK coverage is staying right where it is.
Under the new contract, ITV will show 10 games per season, including every England match, while the BBC will air the remaining five fixtures.
BBC will also host all Wales and Scotland home games bar when the two nations play England at Murrayfieldand the Principality Stadiums, respectively.
Better still, not only will the men’s competition be staying free-to-air but BBC will continue to show every game during the Women’s Six Nations as the interest in female rugby continues to grow.
In fact, it’s having quite a boom here in Greater Manchester on its own.
Greater Mancs making strides for the next generation.
This year’s tournament has been as blockbuster and nail-baiting as ever, with England still in with a chance of winning the whole thing if they beat Wales with a bonus point – provided France fail to beat Scotland in the final game.
England’s last game gets underway at 4:45pm and it’s all to play for.
You can find all the best places to watch the remainder of the action down below:
Danny Jones -
26th July 2023 
