Tom Lockyer inspired by Luton Town’s ‘fighting spirit’ following cardiac arrest - ‘I feel full of pride’

Tom Lockyer has given an update for the first time since he suffered a cardiac arrest in Luton Town’s match against Bournemouth earlier in December.

With the scores level at 1-1, the Luton midfielder collapsed on the pitch, unopposed, in the 60th minute, which led the game to being abandoned.

It was confirmed shortly after the premature ending of the game that Lockyer was conscious and in a stable condition.

The Luton captain has broken his silence for the first time since the incident in a statement on social media as he thanked the responsive staff for “saving his life”.

“I would just like to say that I am doing very well and feeling very much myself after the cardiac arrest I suffered in Bournemouth,” the 29-year-old wrote on Instagram.

“The reason I’m doing so well is all down to the heroic actions of the players, staff, doctors and paramedics. I feel thankful that this happened to me surrounded by these heroes.

“They saved my life. I will never forget what you did for me.”

Luton were on a three-match losing run before the Bournemouth game and took the lead on the South Coast within three minutes through Elijah Adebayo, before Dominic Solanke equalised minutes before the incident involving Lockyer.

Since that day, Luton have beaten Newcastle United, Sheffield United and fought from 3-0 down to narrowly lose 3-2 against Chelsea.

In his statement, Lockyer said the "fighting spirit" of his team-mates has given him the boost he needs as he continues his recovery.

“While I’m sad not to be involved, I feel full of pride watching the boys carry on the battle without me,” he said.

“The fighting spirit I’ve seen in the last three games has given me a much-needed lift. I will be doing whatever I can in whichever ways are possible to help the gaffer and the club."

Lockyer also collapsed in Luton’s Championship play-off final victory against Coventry City at Wembley Stadium in May.

On that day, he suffered an atrial fibrillation but was given the all-clear to return to action after minor surgery.

Since the incident at Bournemouth, Lockyer has been fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) device and revealed that he will be meeting with specialists in the new year to figure out the next steps in his recovery.

“I cannot stress enough how important it is for as many people as possible to know CPR,” the Welshman added. “It literally saves lives, like mine.

“Please check out the British Heart Foundation website for basics or get yourself on a course. You just never know when you might need it.

“I have been overwhelmed by the support that I have received and thank you all for your messages, letters, gifts and well wishes.

“Seeing the banners at the ground and hearing my name being sung really did mean a lot to me and my family.”

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