27 May 2023 , 19:43
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Tom Lockyer's father confirmed the Luton Town captain is doing okay after a scare during the Hatters' play-off final win saw him taken to hospital.
Luton went in 1-0 up at the break thanks to an opener from Jordan Clark, only for Gustavo Hamer to level things up as Coventry pulled themselves back into the game. Joe Taylor had a goal ruled out for the Hatters in extra-time, sending the game to penalties, and Rob Edwards' team needed sudden death to prevail.
The victory came with captain Lockyer off the pitch, though. The defender went down off the ball early in the first half, and needed medical treatment inside Wembley Stadium before being taken to hospital, with his parents coming down from the stands to see him.
"Tom’s Dad here. Tom is ok," Steve Lockyer tweeted, sharing a photo of the 28-year-old celebrating from hospital.
"Very happy but so sad he can’t be there with his team mates. Here is the moment……."
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The victorious players held up Lockyer's shirt during their celebrations. It was Lockyer who had helped the Hatters book their place at Wembley, scoring the decisive goal as Edwards' team beat Sunderland in the play-off semis.
Luton's dramatic win sees them secure top-flight football for the first time in the Premier League era, just nine years after they won promotion from the National League. A 14-game unbeaten run towards the end of the regular season saw them finish third, before getting the better of Sunderland and Coventry to seal the deal.
Tom Lockyer was forced off early in Luton's play-off final win (PA)Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath said "this is for Tom" when speaking to Sky Sports after the game. "For something to happen like that is really heartbreaking".
Fans following on social media were pleased to see Lockyer in good spirits. "Great to see the joy," one fan wrote on Twitter after seeing Lockyer's celebrations. "Thoughts are with the Lockyer family still, even in this moment of joy. Get well soon!"
Fans of Lockyer's former clubs were similarly positive in their response. "Congratulations to Luton and to Tom," wrote one. "Brilliant player for us at Charlton. So happy to see him get to the premier league with Luton. Hope he and your family is well. I wish him a speedy recovery
Luton players paid tribute to Tom Lockyer after their victory (Sky Sports)Going into the game, Coventry had gone more than 20 years without top-flight football. The wait was even longer for Luton, who were playing to climb into the Premier League for the first time in the competition's 30+-year-history.
Both teams were down in League Two as recently as 2018. However, after each earning a pair of promotions, it was Luton who made it three in the space of six seasons.
After both teams put away each of their first five penalties, Dan Potts put the pressure on Coventry's Fankaty Dabo. The former Chelsea youngster put his effort off-target, though, ensuring Luton were the ones to earn promotion.