Tributes have poured in from around the world for Luton captain Tom Lockyer after he collapsed during the club’s abandoned match with Bournemouth.
Lockyer, who collapsed during the play-off final last year, dropped to the floor in an off the ball incident in the 62nd minute of the game at the Vitality Stadium.
Luton manager Rob Edwards immediately ran onto the pitch as concerned players surrounded Lockyer.
Paramedics stretchered him off after ten minutes of on-pitch treatment and half an hour after he went down, the game was called off.
The Bournemouth staff doctor confirmed that Lockyer was ‘alert and responsive.’
Gary Lineker reacted with relief to that news, writing on X: ‘Reports coming in that Tom Lockyer is now alert and responsive. Thank heavens.’
Tribues have poured in from across the football world for Luton captain Tom Lockyer after he collapsed during a match at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium
He was treated by medical staff after collapsing in the second half and is reportedly ‘alert and responsive’
Luton boss Rob Edwards was in tears and distraught following the distressing incident
After confirmation the match was abandoned, both sets of players showed fans their appreciation by walking around the Vitality Stadium pitch
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Ashley Young offered his best wishes, writing: ‘Thoughts and Prayers with Tom Lockyer and his family.’
John Terry wrote: ‘Praying for Tom Lockyer.’
Football journalist Caoimhe O’Neill gave a heartfelt tribute, posting: ‘Thoughts very much with Tom Lockyer and his family. Tom is one of the kindest and most passionate people I’ve met working in football. Gives his all on the pitch every single game and is always so generous with his time off it.’
Presenter and reporter Olivia Buzaglo wrote: ‘Today has put things into perspective. Football isn’t important. That’s the most horrific thing I, and probably everyone else in this stadium, has ever witnessed. All my thoughts and prayers go out to Tom Lockyer.
Joey Barton offered up a post with praying hand emojis.
One Luton fan account penned: ‘Tom Lockyer, you have given us enough. You’ve put yourself through enough. If your health is at risk, we would rather you were healthy. No matter what happens going forward, you’re our skipper, on the field or off it.’
A statement from Luton confirmed Lockyer was responsive and has been taken to hospital, adding players and staff were in ‘no state of mind’ to continue the match.
‘We all hope and pray for our leader and captain Tom Lockyer, who is thankfully responsive and has been taken to hospital,’ the statement read.
‘We don’t know the full extent of what happened and what the next steps are at this stage, but we thank Bournemouth and the medical staff on both sides for their immediate response, which was absolutely amazing.
‘We are sorry to all supporters present that players from both sides were in no state of mind to continue with the game after seeing their much-loved team-mate and friend taken off like that, and staff could not carry on with managing the game in such circumstances having had to deal with the situation.
‘We thank everyone for the wonderful applause and singing of Locks’ name inside the stadium at such a difficult time.
‘Now is the time for all of our players, staff and supporters to come together as we always do and give our love and support to Tom and his family.
‘Our thoughts are with him and them all.’
