Who is Tom Lockyer and why did he collapse?

IN December 2023, Luton Town’s Premier League match against Bournemouth was abandoned after Hatters Caption Tom Lockyer collapsed on the pitch.

It came just days after the skipper opened up about his previous collapse during Luton’s play-off final with Coventry back in May.

Sky SportsTom Lockyer opened up on his terrifying previous collapse[/caption]

What happened to Luton Captain Tom Lockyer?

In December 2023, Luton Town confirmed the news that club Captain Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest during a Premier League clash with Bournemouth.

Lockyer collapsed in the 59th minute of the match – which was later abandoned – and immediately received medical attention.

After being tended to by medics, the defender was stretchered off the pitch to a round of applause from distraught fans at the Vitality Stadium.

Both teams had already been sent to the dressing rooms before Lockyer was carried off pitch.

He was later transferred to hospital, where he remained in a stable condition.

An official statement from Luton read: “Our medical staff have confirmed that the Hatters captain suffered cardiac arrest on the pitch, but was responsive by the time he was taken off on the stretcher.

“He received further treatment inside the stadium, for which we once again thank the medical teams from both sides.

“Tom was transferred to hospital, where we can reassure supporters that he is stable and currently undergoing further tests with his family at his bedside.

“We would like to thank everyone for their support, concern, and loving messages for Locks.”

On December 17, 2023, Luton Town confirmed that Lockyer remains in hospital following the medical emergency.

Offering an update on Lockyer’s condition, Luton Town wrote in a statement: “While our captain Tom Lockyer remains in hospital following the cardiac arrest he suffered on the pitch at Bournemouth yesterday, we understand that supporters are concerned for him and that there is widespread media interest in his condition.

“Tom is still undergoing tests and scans, and is awaiting the results before the next steps for his recovery are determined.

“We are unable to provide a running commentary on his situation, and request that all media please wait for any updates to be released via the club’s official channels when the time is right.

“We all want the very best for Tom, his partner Taylor and the whole Lockyer family, and politely ask that his and their privacy is respected at this difficult time.”

Prior to the medical emergency, Luton was holding Bournemouth to a 1-1 draw.

Premier League Rule L15 states that any match abandoned with the consent of the referee will be replayed, with the Board to confirm a date and kick-off time.

And according to the Daily Mail, the top flight is expected to stick to this protocol.

What happened to Tom Lockyer in the Championship playoff final victory against Coventry?

Lockyer’s collapse at Bournemouth is not his first medical episode.

December’s medical emergency marks the second time that Lockyer has collapsed on the pitch in 2023, having done so during last season’s play-off final against Coventry at Wembley.

It was later confirmed that he suffered with atrial fibrillation, a condition that causes an irregular heartbeat.

Lockyer subsequently underwent heart surgery and was given the all-clear to play again.

What has Tom Lockyer said about his health in the past?

The Welsh international’s collapse at Bournemouth comes just days after he opened up about his previous collapse at Wembley.

He told The Central Club podcast: “I remember trying to find the shade and warm-up in the shaded bit and looking up at Coventry warming up in the shade and thinking ‘that’s unfair’.”

Lockyer says he had “the perfect start” to the game – winning battles with Coventry striker Viktor Gyokeres before having an effort cleared off the line.

But around 12 minutes into the game, his head “went really light-headed like nothing I’ve ever had before”.

He explained: “It’s like when you stand up real quick but worse and then my legs went like jelly almost instantly.

“I remember falling backwards and the next thing I know I woke up and there were paramedics all around me.

“I remember waking up from a dream, I couldn’t tell you what it was about, but I remember having a dream.”

He went on to have his heart surgery before making 15 appearances for Luton this season.