A premiere league club released a statement after their player collapsed on the pitch yesterday (16 December).
During the match against AFC Bournemouth, the captain for Luton Town FC appeared to collapse.
Tom Lockyer was immediately attended to by paramedics on the 65th minute as manager Rob Edwards ushered players from both sides away.
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Supporters from both sides gave a standing ovation as the player was taken off the pitch on a stretcher, with commentator Gary Taphouse telling fans on X: “The Bournemouth staff doctor has confirmed that Tom Lockyer is alert & responsive.”
The match was abandoned and the players left the pitch, with a lap of applause later done in appreciation of the fans.
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It was later confirmed by Luton Town that Lockyer had suffered a cardiac arrest during the football game.
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The club released the following statement on X yesterday evening: “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.”
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Fellow football clubs sent their ‘thoughts’ and ‘best wishes’ to the defender and team as plenty wished him a ‘speedy recovery’.
Lockyer had previously collapsed on the pitch at Wembley Stadium during the club’s play-off final against Coventry City earlier this year.
During that match, the captain was stretchered off and taken to hospital. He later had heart surgery and in June was given the clearance to return to playing.
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Praise has also flooded in for manager Edwards for his quick-thinking yesterday, as plenty football fans call him a ‘class act’.
He could be seen saying ‘away, away’ to players as medics responded to Lockyer.
One fan 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.”
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And others echoed: “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.”
Featured Image Credit: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images/ESPNTopics: Football, Health, Sport, UK News, Premier League