Luton Town’s captain, Tom Lockyer, has been on an incredible journey of recovery after his heart stopped for more than two minutes during a Premier League match in December 2023.
His experience, which saw his heart restarted by medics on the pitch, was just one of many challenges he faced after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Now, Lockyer is determined to return to the game he loves, despite a significant setback during his recovery process.
A Life-Threatening Incident and the Road to Recovery
Tom Lockyer’s world changed in December 2023 when, during a match against Bournemouth, his heart stopped for over two minutes.
The medical staff were quick to act, saving his life, but this incident followed another scary collapse just months earlier at the Championship play-off final at Wembley.
Lockyer, reflecting on the moment of his cardiac arrest, admitted that while he was “technically dead,” he wasn’t overly worried about never playing again.
In order to regulate his heart rhythm and ensure his safety on the pitch, Lockyer had an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) fitted.
He also sought advice from Professor Sanjay Shah, the cardiologist who had helped Christian Eriksen return to football after his own cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.
With his health secured, Lockyer was eager to return to playing football and was preparing to make his first appearance for Luton’s Under-21 team.
A Setback in Training and the Road to Recovery
Lockyer’s journey back to the pitch wasn’t smooth sailing, though.
Just days before his planned return in December 2024, he suffered an ankle injury during training.
The damage to his ligaments forced him to undergo surgery, but complications arose.
The first surgery failed, leading to a second procedure, which further delayed his return.
In a candid conversation with Sky Sports, Lockyer described the frustration of this setback:
“It was very challenging. I was close to ticking off my three games to get cleared heart-wise.
Two days before the first one, I rolled my ankle in training and ended up needing surgery.
I got two months into that. The surgery wasn’t a success, so I had to have it re-done.
I’m six months in now and hopefully out of the boot one day. We’ll see on that one,” he said.
Facing the Reality of Time and Career
As Lockyer approaches his 30s, he has come to terms with the fact that time is not on his side.
He admitted that, with age catching up on him, he started questioning whether he could achieve his goal of returning to football.
However, Lockyer remains determined to make it happen, emphasizing his positive mindset:
“Time’s not on my side. When you start pushing 30, you start thinking the clock is counting down—can this be achieved? But I’m a positive person.
I wouldn’t be wasting everyone’s time if I didn’t think that was possible.
I’m going to give it my best shot, but what will be will be.”
Lockyer’s awareness of his career’s limited time frame fuels his determination to make a successful return to Luton Town and give everything he has to his team.
A Heart-Stopping Moment and the Gratitude for Survival
Reflecting on the cardiac arrest that nearly took his life, Lockyer vividly described the terrifying moment when he realized he might die.
Appearing on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, he recounted the fear and uncertainty he felt as he lay on the pitch unable to move or speak.
He recalled how the medical staff acted quickly and decisively, focusing on saving his life.
“There was no doubt this time, and I kind of knew as well, which is why when I started coming round and I couldn’t move or speak, the staff there on site were more in ‘go-mode.
They were focused, and it was very serious,” Lockyer shared.
“That’s when I was like, ‘Wow, I could be dying.’ Obviously, when you’re lying there and you can’t speak and can’t move, it’s not a nice feeling to have.
But when I could move and speak, I felt fine, which is the mad thing. I wasn’t in any sort of pain. My heart got back into rhythm thanks to the incredible medical staff,” he added.
Lockyer also expressed how fortunate he was that the incident occurred on a football pitch, where immediate medical attention was available.
“I’m so lucky it happened where it did because if it was to happen outside of hospital or a football pitch, the survival rate is only one in ten.”
Looking Forward to a Football Comeback
Despite the physical and emotional challenges he’s faced, Tom Lockyer remains hopeful about his future in football.
His story is one of resilience and determination, as he works hard to return to the pitch and continue playing for Luton Town.
With the support of his medical team and a positive mindset, Lockyer is ready to face whatever hurdles lie ahead in his journey back to professional football.