Gasheads revel in Lockyer’s celebrations at Ashton Gate
OVER seven years and 285 appearances, Tom Lockyer became Mr Dependable for Bristol Rovers. Rising through the academy and developing into a stalwart, and full international, under Darrell Clarke.
He was, in many ways, a poster boy for that era of the club; a fine leader and ambassador for the Gas, anybody who has met Lockyer only has good things to say about him.
It’s why, in the main, when he departed on a free transfer in the summer of 2019 for Charlton Athletic, he left with mostly good wishes and an understanding he deserved his crack at Championship football.
Time has only enhanced Lockyer’s legacy at the Memorial Stadium as he’s become a reliable Championship-level defender for Charlton and now Luton Town, justifying his decision to leave but he has also displayed he still has blue and white running through his veins.
For understandable reasons Lockyer has always been targeted by Bristol City fans due to his Gas connections, and in a game at The Valley in December 2019 he enjoyed a little playful banter at full-time and after the game.
That battle was raised up a level at Ashton Gate on Wednesday night as Luton snatched a 91stminute equaliser, with Lockyer having no doubt been on the end of verbal volleys throughout.
As referee Jeremy Simpson blew his whistle and the Hatters claimed a 1-1 draw, Lockyer turned to the City fans on his side of the field in the Dolman Stand, cupped his ear, stood motionless for a few moments to take it all in and then delivered a couple of passionate “come ons” to further endear himself to the red half of Bristol.
Chants of “who are ya?” were among the more polite responses but as the footage was posted on social media,
Gasheads revelled in their man back in Bristol and doing his bit for the club.
Outside of that moment, Lockyer delivered a fine performance at the heart of the Luton defence, keeping City at bay throughout most of the match and even striking the post late in the first half.
The draw took the Hatters to 13th in the table on nine points and level with City.