Football fans hail Tom Lockyer as he opens up on cardiac arrest in brave Super Sunday interview

Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer has opened up about suffering a cardiac arrest during the Hatters’ Premier League match with Bournemouth in December.

Lockyer collapsed on the pitch at the Vitality Stadium and had to be resuscitated by the club’s medical staff before being taken to hospital.

The Wales international is working as a pundit for Sky Sports’ coverage of Luton Town vs Manchester United as he continues his recovery and he has given his account of that day.

“I’m really well,” Lockyer said. “I am incredibly lucky to be stood here in such great spirits but I am really well. It has been a tough couple of months but I am really well.

“Since I have been looking back and it was just a normal day and that is probably the most worrying thing because I felt completely fine. Like I said I have been looking for answers but it was just another day at the office.

“I was running up to the halfway line and went really light headed. I remember thinking I would be OK in a second but I wasn’t and I woke up and the paramedics were everywhere.

“It has been well documented this happened in May but I knew instantly this time was different. Last time I woke up from almost a dream but this time I woke up to almost nothingness.

“I could see straight away the paramedics and physios were a little bit more panicked and I was a little more disorientated. I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t move and I was just trying to take in what was happening.

“While it was going on I remember thinking I could be dying here and it was quite a surreal thing to think when you can’t really move but can see what is going on.

“I could feel them putting the drip in my arm and eventually I came round and was able to speak and respond and once I came round it was almost a relief that I am alive.

“I almost feel like my family and the world watching it have had it worse than I have. I have a little recording device under my chest and two minutes 40 (seconds) I was out for.

“I needed to have the defib to shock me back and a massive thank you to the club doctors and paramedics because without them I wouldn’t be here.”

Lockyer opens up on his future as fans hail his bravery and honesty

The 29-year-old has not made any decisions over his playing future as tests continue to determine what the next steps should be in his recovery.

However, Lockyer insists his priority is now with his family and while he would love to return to playing football, he won’t go against whatever advice he is given by medical professionals.

“My old man was there and my girlfriend, who was seven months pregnant at the time, as well so that is where my immediate thoughts were at,” Lockyer added.

“My mum and brother were listening on the radio. When Bournemouth scored my mum went into a bit of fits so she went off to make a cup of tea. When she came back in she asked why my brother had turned the radio off and he had to say to her: ‘Tom’s gone down off the ball again’.

“I think that’s the bigger picture people don’t see and that is the hardest thing to have to deal with.

“It is out of my hands to a degree. It is going to be dictated by the medical professionals and specialists. If there is a chance I can play again, obviously I am not going to do any thing against recommendations but I would love to.

“It is too early to say at this time. There are a lot more tests and things that need to happen in the background. I wouldn’t rule it out but my priority is with the baby and my family.”

Football fans were quick to take to social media to hail Lockyer’s outlook on his situation.

One fan tweeted: “The Tom Lockyer interview on Sky Sports. Wow, just wow. He comes across great and such a brave person.”

Another added: “Tom Lockyer comes across as really nice bloke and has taken both of his collapses on the pitch brilliantly.

“Listening to him, I think he’ll probably have to take a step back and maybe go on the coaching staff. He’s right that his family and health comes first above everything.”