Tom Lockyer scooped five trophies including the main Player of the Season gong at the Luton Town Supporters’ Trust annual awards bash, in their 20th anniversary, and then admitted he was “embarrassed” to take away so many prizes from team-mates that have performed so well.
The central defender has had the campaign of his career, which just in the last two weeks has seen him score in his last two league games after being named in the EFL Championship Team of the Season, while helping the Hatters secure third place in the division and a second successive play-off berth.
This term he started out of favour with former boss Nathan Jones in the first four second-tier games, but since being given his chance in the 2-0 win at Swansea in August, he’s been a mainstay of the starting XI, playing 39 times in the league.
As well as the top award, Lockyer was also named Players’ Player of the Season in a joint award with top goalscorer Carlton Morris, while the defender was also recognised as the Junior Supporters’ Player of the Season, the Bobbers Travel Club Player of the Season and the Internet Player of the Season.
And on collecting the final award of his haul, Lockyer said: “As far as seasons go, it’s up there for me. If I’m being honest with you, I’m a little bit embarrassed. This team’s full of absolutely excellent players. Carlton’s put the ball in the net 20 times this season and we’ve had other players performing outstandingly, so to have all of these awards, I’m a little bit embarrassed but I’m very thankful at the same time. It’s lovely to be recognised and I’m sure my old man and my old dear will be very happy as well.”
But with Town now plotting a path to the Premier League through the Championship play-offs this month, Lockyer said: “I’d trade all these trophies now for a walk up them steps at Wembley.”
Morris claimed two awards and was also named Signing of the Season after his club record transfer’s switch from Barnsley in the summer. On receiving the award the striker said: “There’s no higher honour than being voted by your peers for being good at your job, and that’s what the boys have done for me and Locks. It’s the biggest honour out of the lot, for me personally.”
Asked by club commentator and awards compere Simon Pitts, about sharing the Player’s Player Award with Lockyer, Morris admitted he voted for the Welshman and added: “It might come across bias because he’s my mate as well and he’s handsome, but he’s one of the best centre backs I’ve ever played with and this season’s performances he’s been putting in have honestly been different class. With him behind us I feel confident we can do the job.”
This season Morris became the first Hatter to score 20 second-tier goals in one season since club legend Brian Stein 41 years.
Lockyer said of his team-mate: “It’s the hardest job in football, putting the ball in the net. To be able to do it 20 times in one season is something I could only dream of. Fair play to him, he’s been absolutely fantastic. The season’s not over yet, I’ll give him a run for his money, I think. Since Marv’s (Marvelous Nakamba) come in, I’ve not had a lot to do defensively, so I thought I’d better start scoring a few goals.”
Hatters 1980s goalscoring hero and now chief recruitment officer, Mick Harford, was hailed with the Luton Town Supporters’ Trust Kevin Catlin Memorial Outstanding Contribution Award for which he said he was, “totally taken aback and surprised”.
The former England international added of Luton: “It’s a club I love, it’s club I have passion for and a club I’ve been at for a long, long time. I have such an affinity with each and every one of you (fans), but what I’d like to say is that you’ve been absolutely amazing for me, not just me for you, in the fight and the battle that I’ve had over the last few years. So, I can’t thank yourselves and the people of Luton enough, so it’s an absolutely brilliant award and I’m so, so proud to receive it. Thank you very much. It’s much appreciated.”
And, after Harford’s tussle with prostate cancer, was also on the stage as the Trust presented Beds Prostate Cancer Support Group, with a cheque for almost £6,000, while announcing the group would be their charity of the season for another year.
Elsewhere, Alfie Doughty picked up the Goal of the Season, for his stunning volley in a 3-0 win at Queens Park Rangers in December, while Jordan Clark has handed the Ian Pearce Memorial Trophy, named after the late BBC Three Counties commentator.
Seventeen-year-old Joe Johnson won the Young Luton Town Player of the Season, following his professional debut as a substitute in last month’s 2-1 Championship win over Middlesbrough.
And there was a special new award, which will be a permanent fixture at future ceremonies, named the Beacon of Light Award by Jack Berry, an autistic Sunderland supporter who was touched by the interaction he’d had with Luton player Fred Onyedinma at the Stadium of Light in March.
The pace ace, who received a standing ovation from the awards ceremony attendants, was the first recipient of the award and collecting it he said: “I won’t lie, I’m honestly speechless because I didn’t expect this at all. At that time, I was just doing what was naturally right for me.”
