Tom Lockyer
Posted inDaily News

Luton skipper elated to achieve the accolade of becoming a Premier League goalscorer #LutonTownFC

October 2, 2023
Watch more of our videos on Shots!and live on Freeview channel 276Visit Shots! nowHatters skipper Tom Lockyer was understandably elated to earn an accolade he never thought was possible, becoming a Premier League goalscorer when netting Town's opener in their 2-1 win at Everton on Saturday.The 28-year-old hasn’t been known for his scoring record during the majority of his career, far from it in fact, with 15 goals in 435 club matches.He managed just seven in seven years at Bristol Rovers, on target in the Conference, League Two, League One and the Checkatrade Trophy, before notching once for Charlton in his 43 Championship outings for the Addicks.Signing for Luton in September 2020, the Wales international again had to wait a while to wheel away in celebration, on target in a 2-1 success over Bristol City in January 2022.Last term, Lockyer opened his account in a 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Newport County, also scoring in the 1-1 draw at Coventry in the league.He then finished the campaign with the most prolific run of his career to date, with three goals in his last five starts, although the fifth saw him replaced inside 10 minutes after collapsing on the pitch during the play-off final at Wembley.Thankfully making a full recovery, Lockyer started his fifth top flight match for Luton at Goodison Park on Saturday, putting a glorious chance over the bar when meeting Alfie Doughty’s corner, but there was no stopping him on 24 minutes.Tom Lockyer's disappointment at missing this header didn't last too long as he opened the scoring at Goodison Park on Saturday - pic: Lewis Storey/Getty ImagesAnother Doughty delivery saw Carlton Morris’s header rebound off the bar, with the centre half showing fantastic determination to slide in and deflect Ashley Young’s clearance into the net to put the Hatters in front for the first time this season.Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: “Being a Premier League goalscorer is something you dream of and you don't think will ever happen, but what an accolade."It's special but it's a team game and a first Premier League win brings a buzz in the changing rooms."We'll enjoy it and you just hope it gives everyone a taste and they want more now.”Team-mate Morris was quick to praise his close friend as well, saying: “No matter which box he’s in he just can’t help blocking and tackling it into the net, so he’s doing it in the right way!”With most pundits writing the Hatters’ chance of staying up off before a ball was even kicked this year, Lockyer, who had to go off early in the second half due to an eye injury, was thrilled to show them that Town mean business in their attempts to remain a top flight club.He added: “There’s a lot of people been saying a lot of things, so it’s nice to try and silence them a little bit and get the first win on the board."It feels really good but we need to try and back that up as well, we want to try and push on as well.”
Tom Lockyer
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Tom Lockyer left ‘speechless’ after being made Hatters captain by Rob Edwards #LUTONTOWNFC

August 12, 2023
Luton defender Tom Lockyer said he was left ‘speechless’ after being made club captain by manager Rob Edwards. Previous captain Sonny Bradley left in the summer, meaning 28-year-old Lockyer will become the first Hatters player to step foot onto a pitch in a Premier League game when Luton take on Brighton in tomorrow’s season-opener at the Lamex Stadium. “It’s surreal,” said the central defender. “I’m a little bit speechless and how to describe how it feels, but it’s incredible – a massive honour not just for me but my family as well. It’s not something I take lightly. I’m speechless.Tom Lockyer“Saturday will be a special occasion. As I’ve said, it’s a massive honour to lead such a good club, which has felt like home since I stepped through the door, to walk out the lads in the Premier League with the armband on. It’s really special.“It’s a great squad and good that we don’t have to manage any massive egos. Everyone is pretty grounded, we’re all normal fellas. We all get on really well but it won’t just be me driving the standards or keeping people in line. That comes from everyone. Everyone’s got their own high standards, and whatever those were last year, this year they need to be higher.”Explaining why he chose Lockyer, Edwards said: “He was the natural choice. His performances for us since we arrived have been incredibly high and incredibly consistent. He demands high standards and has the respect and trust of us all.“We’re delighted to have him as captain, it’s something he thoroughly deserves.”
Tom Lockyer
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Luton defender Tom Lockyer happy to get 90 minutes after a ‘weird’ pre-season #LUTONTOWNFC

July 29, 2023
Luton defender Tom Lockyer was overjoyed to get a first 90 minutes under his belt since the play-off semi-final second leg win over Sunderland back in May after what he described as a ‘weird’ pre-season.The 28-year-old started training later than the rest of his team-mates after undergoing extensive medical checks following his on-field collapse inside the opening 10 minutes of the play-off final at Wembley, which eventually required an operation to correct an atrial fibrillation in June.Following his new contract, Lockyer was back at the Brache with Town’s squad, but was held back to begin with when the physical activities started to ensure he had made a full recovery.He didn’t play as Town beat Peterborough United 3-1 in a behind-closed-doors at St George’s Park, before heading out to Slovenia for a warm weather training camp.Lockyer then played an hour in the 1-1 draw against Ipswich on Tuesday night, going on to start at Hillsborough for the Hatters’ second match, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Carlton Morris on target in the victory.The Welsh international lasted the entire match, along with James Shea, Alfie Doughty and Mads Andersen, as speaking to the club’s official website on how he found it and the training so far, he said: “Tough, really tough, it's been a different pre-season for myself.“It's been a weird one if I'm being honest, I’ve always been told I’m a couple of weeks behind, but it doesn’t sit right with me.Tom Lockyer applauds the Hatters after a 2-1 pre-season friendly win at Sheffield Wednesday - pic: Ashley Allen/Getty Images“I want to be up with the lads, so to finally get 90 is a good feeling and I know it's in the locker now."When the lads start running in the off season ready for the pre-season, obviously I wasn't allowed to do too much."I was only allowed to do a couple of 5ks just to see where I was at and obviously when the lads are doing their own stuff, they’re sprinting box to boxes and very S&C (strength and conditioning) specific, which I wasn't able to do, which meant when I came in, they were very conscious of me not breaking down as that would set me back further.“So it’s been a different pre-season, but hopefully now with 90 in the tank I can look forward.”With Town heading to Wolves on Wednesday and then travelling to Germany to take on Vfl Bochum in two matches next weekend, on what he expects to do before the Premier League season starts in full at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, August 12, Lockyer continued: “Who knows? It's the S&C who run everything with their numbers and data, whatever I'm asked to play, I’ll play."Obviously I’ll always be pushing for more, but the main thing is to try and be as fit as possible going into that first game.”On the prospect of facing the Seagulls in what will be Town’s first top flight encounter for over 30 years, Lockyer added: “You don't really want to look too far ahead, you can get carried away with the season that is coming up."We have to focus on getting our principles right on the pitch, doing everything we can in training for the first game, so we’re well drilled for that first game."You want to win the pre-season friendlies, but there’s a deeper meaning for us at the minute."Shape, how we want to play, how we want to move the ball, getting to know new players who’ve come in and them getting used to our style of play."So you’ve got to see preseason for what it is, but I’m delighted to get 90 minutes under my belt and I know a few of the lads have as well.”
Rob Edwards
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Hatters boss highlights the return of Welsh international Lockyer during Ipswich draw #LUTONTOWNFC

July 28, 2023
Town boss Rob Edwards recognised the importance of defender Tom Lockyer’s return to action for the Hatters in their 1-1 pre-season friendly draw against Ipswich Town on Tuesday night.The Welsh international was starting a game for the first time since he was stretchered off after collapsing on the pitch during the opening 10 minutes of Luton’s Championship play-off final win over Coventry City back in May.Given the all clear to resume playing after undergoing an operation to correct an atrial fibrillation, and signing a new long-term contract in the summer, Lockyer linked up in a back three that also contained new signing Mads Andersen and Dan Potts.He got through an hour of the contest at Colchester United’s stadium unscathed, and speaking to the club’s official website afterwards, Edwards said: “It was really important doing what he does best out there."He’s a huge figure for us on and off the pitch, so it was really good to have him back out there, in the middle of that back three."He’s going to need some more game time, he’s probably a couple of weeks behind the others because his off season was a little different to a lot of the boys, so it’s important we build him up in a safe way."If we push him too hard he can get muscle injuries, so we’ve got to try and stick to the plan and there’s a plan for every individual player, but it was great to have Locks out there.”
Rob Edwards
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Luton boss Rob Edwards highlights Lockyer’s importance after declaring Welsh international’s game is ‘complete’ #LUTONTOWNFC

July 10, 2023
Luton boss Rob Edwards believes that defender Tom Lockyer’s game was verging on ‘complete’ towards the end of last season.After missing the first few matches of the campaign, the Welsh international won his place back in the team and never let go of it from there, with some consistently excellent displays seeing him named in the Championship Team of the Year.He made 39 appearances in the league, and was in the most prolific form of his career too, with three goals in his last four outings ahead of the play-off final against Coventry at Wembley.However, it was defensively where he absolutely shone, Lockyer making 4.7 clearances per game, with 1.6 interceptions, 1.2 tackles and 0.9 blocks, as he became a massive fans favourite, making his new contract announced this week one of the best pieces of news of pre-season so far.Discussing the defender, Edwards told the club’s official website: “He’s so important."We all saw, when I say we, I mean the supporters, everyone involved in the club, saw how important he was to us on the pitch."That was obvious for everyone to see, but off the pitch, he’s a leader.Rob Edwards with defender Tom Lockyer"He drives things on a daily basis and maybe for the stuff that people don’t see, he does it here every day at the Brache."His consistency, his determination, his fight, his drive, his courage, his bravery was there."He's even chipping in with really important goals at the end of last season, his game was complete.”With the popular Lockyer such an integral part of Luton’s XI, it was a massive concern for all involved when he collapsed on the field in the opening 10 minutes at the home of English football and had to be taken to hospital.He has since had an operation to correct an atrial fibrillation, and is now taking a full part in pre-season training ahead of Town’s first ever campaign in the Premier League, as Edwards added: “What happened in the final was so worrying until we knew he was okay."That was why it was so emotive at the end of the game, we knew he was all right and that was all we cared about really."It was really hard to enjoy the moment until we knew that, but very, very soon afterwards we knew he was fine."The medical guys were amazing with him."The job that they did, and I’ve got to say that as well, the job they did on the day, at that moment in time, would have been scary for them as well."They were really, really good, really, really professional, so Tom’s had the best care."He’s in great health, he’s in great shape and we’re so pleased he’s committed his long term future to the club.”
Tom Lockyer
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Tom Lockyer hails his ‘unbelievable relationship’ with Hatters’ fans as he commits his future to Luton #LUTONTOWNFC

July 7, 2023
Tom Lockyer hailed his ‘unbelievable relationship’ with the Hatters fans after agreeing a new contract to remain with the club for what will be their debut season in the Premier League this term.The 28-year-old centre half was a massive reason behind Town making it to the top flight for the first time in over 30 years, with some absolutely magnificent displays at the heart of Luton's defence last season, seeing him quite rightly named in the division’s Team of the Year.However, he then suffered an on-field collapse at Wembley in the early stages of the play-off final with Coventry City, immediately taken to hospital.It was from there he had to watch Luton secure a 6-5 penalty shootout victory, as he was kept in for five days to have an operation to correct an atrial fibrillation, which meant he missed the open top bus parade and celebrations at St George’s Square too.Lockyer’s social media was flooded with message of support from Town’s fans, who he was eager to thank when announcing he had re-signed, as speaking to the club’s official Twitter page, he said: “Absolutely gutted that I couldn’t be there to celebrate with you all at the end of last season, but I can’t thank you all enough for all the messages you sent me, it means so much to me and my family."Sat in the back of the ambulance van, I was worried that I was never going to be able to play again, so I’m absolutely delighted to announce that I’ll be staying on at Luton Town.“Ever since I’ve come to this football club I’ve had an unbelievable relationship with the fans, it makes my spine tingle every time I hear my name sung and I can’t wait to hear that again.”Luton defender Tom Lockyer celebrates scoring in front of the Hatters fansNow beginning his fourth season at Kenilworth Road, and with 101 appearances under his belt, Lockyer is looking to remain with the club for the long term, adding: “I’d really like to build something special here at Luton Town."I’ve got an incredible relationship with the fans, the manager, all the boys.“I love the club and I love being here."It’s incredible what we achieved last season."To have the chance to play with Luton in the Premier League will be something that’s really special to me.”
Rob Edwards
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Luton boss Rob Edwards confirms popular Tom Lockyer will remain for the Hatters #LUTONTOWNFC

July 6, 2023
Luton boss Rob Edwards labelled the news that Tom Lockyer will be part of Town’s Premier League squad this season after signing a new contract this morning as a 'huge signing' for the HattersThe 28-year-old is a massive favourite with Town's fans following his stellar displays in the centre of defence last term, in what was a quite magnificent season for both himself personally and the team, as they reached the top flight by winning the play-offs.There had been some speculation the Welsh international’s form had seen him interesting other sides after becoming a free agent once his deal ran out in the summer.However, they have proved to be unsubstantiated, with Lockyer putting pen to paper this morning to extend his stint with the club into what will now be his fourth seasonSpeaking to the club’s official website, Edwards said: “This is a really important signing for us."The supporters saw the best of Tom, and I thought his consistency was second to none – and that’s up there in the whole league."That was why he was in the Team of the Season, why he won loads of awards and why we achieved the special thing that we achieved.Luton's players hold up Tom Lockyer's shirt at Wembley“He was a huge part of it, not just the blocks, the clean sheets, the leadership."He even chipped in with goals, and important ones as well, none more so than in the semi-final."There is no question he is a huge signing for us."Lockyer worryingly saw his play-off final against Coventry City at Wembley ended after collapsing on the pitch during the opening 10 minutes, as he was immediately taken to hospital.He spent five days in hospital, undergoing an operation to correct an atrial fibrillation, but thankfully Edwards confirmed he is now back to full health and ready to go for what will be his first ever season as a Premier League player.He added: “Of course, after Wembley his health was the main thing, and that’s where all our thoughts went to straight away after the final whistle."It was brilliant that we were able to see him sitting up and celebrating in the hospital, just a shame he couldn’t be there with us.“But within a week or two he was back up and about feeling really positive, had every check that was possible so our medical side were really happy with everything.“It was a really scary moment, we all know that, but the main thing is he is okay and ready to crack on with us into the Premier League and we’re all so happy about that.”