Premier League manager praised for quick-thinking after player collapsed on pitch

A Premier League manager has been praised for his quick-thinking after a player collapsed on the pitch.

During an away game against AFC Bournemouth yesterday (16 December), Luton Town FC defender Tom Lockyer appeared to collapse.

He was immediately attended to by paramedics on the 65^th minute with commentator Gary Taphouse telling fans on X: “The Bournemouth staff doctor has confirmed that Tom Lockyer is alert & responsive.”

Lockyer left the football pitch on a stretcher due to a head injury as the crowd gave him a standing ovation and the players were all taken off with the game abandoned.

It was later confirmed by Luton Town on X that the defender had suffered a cardiac arrest and transferred to hospital after receiving treatment inside the stadium.

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The team added: “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.”

Since this scary event during the match, the team’s manager, Rob Edwards, has been praised by fans for his reaction.

As medical staff ran to Lockyer, so did Edward and he waved players away to give the man space.

He could reportedly be seen saying ‘away, away’ to both sides as the medics got to work.

Users on X gave a ‘special mention’ to Edwards for doing this as they called him a ‘class act’.

Also shouting out a player from the opposition, one wrote: “I’ve come home from Bournemouth tonight feeling numb. And I know I won’t be alone. An awful thing to witness.

“But the actions of Phil Billing & Rob Edwards, who immediately recognised the severity of the situation, & some truly amazing medics, must be recognised.”

Another also put: “He is football and this is the second time he’s had to react to an immediate danger to his own players. You are one in a million Rob.”

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Plenty say they ‘really rate’ the manager as they say he proves himself to ‘be a very good coach’.

As the match was abandoned, Edwards also did a lap of the pitch to thank supporters, which fans called ‘poignant’ and put: “Let me tell you Rob is one of the most decent, humble, honest, respectful people I know - I hope the news on Tom Lockyer remains positive.”

The manager also had tears on his eyes as the crowd applauded with him as users gave him respect and even put: “I’ve got so much time for Rob Edwards. I know I’m not supposed to praise my rival and all that crap, but that goes out the window at a time like this. He’s clearly a good manager.”

Football clubs also rallied around to send their support to Lockyer and wished him a ‘speedy recovery’.