Latest news with #TomLockyer
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Ex-Premier League club ask to ditch part of redevelopment plans that will see new 25,000-seater stadium built
The new stadium is set to hold double the capacity of the current ground GROUNDS FOR IMPROVEMENT Ex-Premier League club ask to ditch part of redevelopment plans that will see new 25,000-seater stadium built LUTON TOWN have requested to ditch a plan to build affordable housing on the site of their proposed new 25,000-seater stadium. The League One side announced plans to build a new ground in the centre of the town last year. 2 Luton have plans to build a new 25,000-seater stadium Credit: Luton Town 2 Those working on the development want to scrap plans to build affordable housing on the site It has been earmarked for a 21-acre brownfield site, with a housing development also in the current plans. However, councillors are now being advised to support a plea for the affordable housing to be removed from the works. A formal request was made by Luton's property arm 2020 Developments (Luton) Limited to drop the initial idea. The contractor believes that doing so will make the project commercially viable. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL CRYSTAL FALL Palace LOSE appeal over Europa League demotion in huge boost for Forest A letter asking for the variation of planning conditions was sent by professional services firm WSP to the council. It said accepting the proposal would be "a significant compromise" on its behalf. The council's development management committee is due to consider the options at a meeting next Wednesday. A report to the committee read: "If the council opted not to accept this position, a possible outcome could be that residential development of 1,200 homes and the other elements of the regeneration project wouldn't come forward... "This includes town centre uses, parking and other associated works, such as highways, landscaping and river works, as part of the overall redevelopment of the Power Court site. "It's considered that the applicant's financial viability assessment has been robustly tested by an independent assessor. While the results are disappointing, both national and local planning policy allow for viability issues to be taken into account in decision-making. Tom Lockyer opens up on the hurt of leaving Luton after five years at the club "The loss of affordable housing is unfortunate, but it's considered that there would be many wider benefits associated with the regeneration of the Power Court site. "These include job opportunities and additional consumer spending in the local area from new residents. There would be the opportunity to further scrutinise the viability of the scheme through a review mechanism." Luton currently play their home games at Kenilworth Road, which has a capacity of 12,000 supporters. The new stadium is expected to hold 25,000 spectators. And the project - which is in conjunction with Limak, who redeveloped Barcelona's Nou Camp stadium - is expected to create around 1,000 jobs for the local area. Luton CEO Gary Sweet said earlier this year: "This is a transformative opportunity for the Club, helping us realise our ambitions to be a Premier League club again one day. "We are united with the supporters on the need for a new stadium to move our Luton Town forward and we are delighted to be moving into this exciting construction phase. "Importantly, this new stadium project roots us in our community, bringing jobs and investment as part of the wider regeneration of the area. "Partnering with a company of Limak's international standing offers us a global perspective with local delivery. "We will collaborate closely with them to ensure the stadium reflects the spirit and needs of the community. "It has been a long road to this point, but we are so excited at the prospect of welcoming our supporters to Power Court in the near future and the ability to extend our support base and enhance our unique match-day experience."
Powys County Times
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
I'm four weeks away – Tom Lockyer reveals he is closing in on football return
Former Luton captain Tom Lockyer has revealed he is 'four weeks away' from being allowed to play football again. Lockyer has not played since suffering a cardiac arrest during Luton's Premier League game against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in December 2023. The 30-year-old Wales defender had previously collapsed on the field just seven months earlier during the Hatters' Sky Bet Championship play-off final win at Wembley against Coventry. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sky Sports Football (@skysportsfootball) Lockyer, speaking ahead of Luton's opening Sky Bet League One fixture against AFC Wimbledon at Kenilworth Road, told Sky Sports: 'I haven't had a break, I've been working all the way through, just trying to get this ankle right and trying to get fit. 'But I've had a really good few weeks and hopefully now I'm four weeks away from getting signed off and told I'm allowed to play football again.' Luton, relegated in May for the second successive season, told Lockyer his contract would not be renewed when it expired this summer. But they have allowed him to use their facilities and work with their physios and medical staff during his rehabilitation. The former Bristol Rovers centre-back, who led Luton to Premier League promotion in 2023, added: 'They've been fantastic and have allowed me to come in and use the facilities and the knowledge of all the physios, so I can't thank them enough for that. 'It allows me to stay among the team spirit – there's a good one here. There's been a few changes, but they're trying to hold on to that ethos that no-one is bigger than the team and I absolutely love that. 'It's allowed me to go in every day, still be around it, still feel involved and I'm just itching to get back now.' Lockyer, who has had a defibrillator fitted similar to former Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen, snapped an ankle ligament during his return to full fitness, which required two operations.
The Independent
01-08-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Tom Lockyer close to football return after suffering cardiac arrest on the pitch
Former Luton captain Tom Lockyer has revealed he is 'four weeks away' from being allowed to play football again. Lockyer has not played since suffering a cardiac arrest during Luton's Premier League game against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in December 2023. The 30-year-old Wales defender had previously collapsed on the field just seven months earlier during the Hatters' Sky Bet Championship play-off final win at Wembley against Coventry. Lockyer, speaking ahead of Luton's opening Sky Bet League One fixture against AFC Wimbledon at Kenilworth Road, told Sky Sports: 'I haven't had a break, I've been working all the way through, just trying to get this ankle right and trying to get fit. 'But I've had a really good few weeks and hopefully now I'm four weeks away from getting signed off and told I'm allowed to play football again.' Luton, relegated in May for the second successive season, told Lockyer his contract would not be renewed when it expired this summer. But they have allowed him to use their facilities and work with their physios and medical staff during his rehabilitation. The former Bristol Rovers centre-back, who led Luton to Premier League promotion in 2023, added: 'They've been fantastic and have allowed me to come in and use the facilities and the knowledge of all the physios, so I can't thank them enough for that. 'It allows me to stay among the team spirit – there's a good one here. There's been a few changes, but they're trying to hold on to that ethos that no-one is bigger than the team and I absolutely love that. 'It's allowed me to go in every day, still be around it, still feel involved and I'm just itching to get back now.' Lockyer, who has had a defibrillator fitted similar to former Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen, snapped an ankle ligament during his return to full fitness, which required two operations.
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Why all three EFL Play-off finals will kick off one minute late this weekend
This weekend's EFL play-off finals, in the Championship on Saturday, League One on Sunday and League Two on Monday, will all kick off a minute later than scheduled The EFL play-off finals will kick off a minute later than scheduled this weekend to promote the British Heart Foundation's 'Every Minute Matters' campaign. The campaign - which began during last season's play-offs - aims to encourage fans to learn CPR. And Luton skipper Tom Lockyer will make an emotional return to Wembley to join Vinnie Jones in a demonstration of the life-saving technique in front of the sell-out crowd. Lockyer will be back at the national stadium for the first time since collapsing on the pitch after suffering a heart scare just eight minutes into Luton's Championship play-off final victory over Coventry two years ago. The defender - who suffered a cardiac arrest during the Hatters' Premier League clash at Bournemouth 18 months ago - is an ambassador for the campaign that aims to highlight the importance of a quick response. The chances of survival after a cardiac arrest decrease by 10 per cent for every minute that passes without effective CPR or defibrillation. The shift in kick-off times is intended to underline that message with today's second-tie showdown between Sheffield United and Sunderland starting at 15:01. Lockyer said: 'This campaign has brought fans, players and clubs together like never before – and the result is nothing short of incredible. 'In just a year, we've helped more than 300,000 people to start learning CPR. That's a massive achievement, and one I'm incredibly proud of. I'm one of the lucky ones, but the stark reality is that most people who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest won't be so lucky. "That's why on Saturday at Wembley I'll be calling for one final effort from the fans because every extra person we inspire to learn CPR could one day go on to save a life.'
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Championship play-off final: Sheffield United v Sunderland
Update: Date: 12:13 BST Title: Why does the match start at 15:01 BST? Content: Sheff Utd v Sunderland (15:01 BST) Like the two other play-off finals this bank holiday weekend, today's game kicks off at 15:01 BST to highlight the British Heart Foundation's Every Minute Matters campaign. It aims to inspire people to learn life-saving CPR skills in the event someone has a cardiac arrest. Luton captain Tom Lockyer collapsed eight minutes into his team's Championship play-off final against Coventry two years ago. Lockyer, who is now an ambassador for the charity, said: "I'm lucky to be alive today, but the reality is that less than one in 10 people usually survive, which is why it's vital we continue to raise awareness. "The symbolic kick-off times are the perfect way to make our life-saving message impossible to ignore." Update: Date: 12:05 BST Title: A sea of red and white Content: Sheff Utd v Sunderland (15:01 BST) Steve MarshallBBC Sport at Wembley Walking towards the ground from Wembley Stadium station more than three hours before kick-off, it was no surprise to be greeted by a sea of red and white striped shirts of both sides. And there were more than a few apprehensive faces among the wearers. The last time I was at a play-off final here, Oxford United beat York City in the National League promotion final to return to the Football League. The U's manager that day in 2010? A certain Chris Wilder, who today returns to Wembley as boss of Sheffield United with a place in the Premier League on the line. The Blades have never won promotion through the play-offs in nine previous attempts and have not tasted victory at the national stadium in 100 years. Something has to give - but will it be Wilder's winning record in play-offs or the Blades' hoodoo? Update: Date: 12:00 BST Title: Championship play-off final countdown begins Content: Sheff Utd v Sunderland (15:01 BST) David SpereallReporter, BBC News Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of today's Championship play-off final at Wembley. Will Sunderland make it back to the Premier League after eight years away, or will Sheffield United finally break a 100-year curse and win at the national stadium? We'll be bringing you all the pre-match build-up over the next three hours, before switching to updates from the final itself at 15:01 BST. A place in English football's promised land awaits.
