Tom Lockyer: Luton captain will meet specialists in new year to determine future in football

Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer says he will meet specialists in the new year to decide his footballing future.

He was discharged from hospital with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) device fitted.

“I will be doing whatever I can in whichever ways are possible to help the gaffer and the club,” Lockyer said on social media.

“In what capacity that is remains to be decided as I’m due to meet with specialists in the new year.”

Lockyer added the “fighting spirit” shown by Luton on the pitch had given him a “much-needed lift” during his recovery. The 18th-placed Hatters earned vital wins against Newcastle and Sheffield United either side of Christmas.

After he was discharged from hospital, Luton said Lockyer’s cardiac arrest was different to his previous collapse in the Championship play-off final in May. Then, he suffered atrial fibrillation – a condition the NHS describes as causing ‘an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate’ – and was given the all-clear to return to playing in June following heart surgery.

An ICD is a small battery-powered device placed in the chest, which detects and stops irregular heartbeats. It delivers electric shocks, when needed, to restore a regular heart rhythm.

‘They saved my life’

In his statement, Lockyer also praised the doctors and paramedics, as well as the reactions of his team-mates, opponents and both sets of fans.

“I am doing very well and feeling very much myself after the cardiac arrest I suffered in Bournemouth,” he said. “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.”

After Lockyer’s collapse in the 59th minute against Bournemouth, the game was abandoned with the score 1-1 and it will be replayed in full at a later date.

After their following game, a 1-0 win over Newcastle, boss Rob Edwards said he was “an emotional wreck”. Lockyer thanked his manager, the club, and the fans for their support.

Lockyer also called for more people to learn CPR, saying “you never know when you might need it”.

“I cannot stress enough how important it is for as many people as possible to know CPR. It literally saves lives, like mine. Please check out the British Heart Foundation website for basics or get yourself on a course.

“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.”