Matt Lockwood Explained

Matt Lockwood
Fullname:Matthew Dominic Lockwood[1]
Birth Date:17 October 1976
Birth Place:Southend-on-Sea, England
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Montserrat (technical director)
Youthyears1:1993–1995
Youthclubs1:Southend United
Years1:1995–1996
Clubs1:Queens Park Rangers
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:1996–1998
Clubs2:Bristol Rovers
Caps2:63
Goals2:1)
Years3:1998–2007
Clubs3:Leyton Orient
Caps3:328
Goals3:50
Years4:2007–2008
Clubs4:Nottingham Forest
Caps4:11
Goals4:0
Years5:2008–2010
Clubs5:Colchester United
Caps5:6
Goals5:0
Years6:2009
Clubs6:Barnet (loan)
Caps6:12
Goals6:0
Years7:2009
Clubs7:→ Dagenham & Redbridge (loan)
Caps7:4
Goals7:0
Years8:2010
Clubs8:Barnet (loan)
Caps8:19
Goals8:2
Years9:2010–2014
Clubs9:Dundee
Caps9:107
Goals9:9
Years10:2014
Clubs10:Sutton United
Caps10:9
Goals10:0
Totalcaps:559
Totalgoals:62
Manageryears1:2023
Managerclubs1:Montserrat

Matthew Dominic Lockwood (born 17 October 1976) is an English former footballer and technical director of the Montserrat national football team. During his career, he played for Leyton Orient, Nottingham Forest and Dundee, among other clubs. Lockwood was known for his proficiency at attacking from left back and his goal scoring abilities.[2]

Career

Early career

Born in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, Lockwood was a trainee with hometown club Southend United before signing a professional contract with the Queens Park Rangers on 2 May 1995.[1] Lockwood was part of the successful QPR reserve team that won the Avon Combination league in the 95/96 season. When his teammate, Ian Holloway, was appointed Player/Manager at the Bristol Rovers, Lockwood was one of his first signings. He went on to make 76 appearances until the end of the 1997–98 season.

Leyton Orient

After completing his contract with the Bristol Rovers, Lockwood moved on a free transfer to Leyton Orient, where he became an integral part of the first team. Lockwood was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the 1999–00 season and 2000–01 season.[3] His performance attracted the attention of many Premier League clubs, but Leyton Orient did not accept any offers for him.[4]

Later, when Lockwood caught the attention of Championship clubs including Millwall,[5] West Bromwich Albion[6] and Crystal Palace,[7] Leyton Orient offered him an improved two-year deal which he signed at the end of the season.[8] [9]

In 2006, Lockwood was named as the 47th best player outside of the Premier League in a study by FourFourTwo magazine. The study named Lockwood as the best player at left back and the fourth-best player in League Two.

Lockwood was Leyton Orient's second-leading goal-scorer in the 2006–07 season,[10] including an 11-minute hat-trick in a game against Gillingham.[11] He scored 11 goals from left-back that season. He was named in the PFA League One Team of the Year for 2006–07.[12]

Spleen injury

During the 2001–02 season, Lockwood suffered a significant spleen injury during a match against York City in August 2001 when he collided with the opposition player.[13] His injury was initially life-threatening after his condition quickly deteriorated, and it took some months to recover. He made his first return appearance against Crystal Palace reserves, saying: "It was great to be back, and the management felt I did well and are pleased with my progress ... The injury does not play on my mind, and I am just trying to forget it now."[14]

Nottingham Forest

In July 2007, Lockwood signed for League One giants Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee. He signed a two-year contract with the club. Orient manager Martin Ling said, "He's been very close to signing for top-flight teams in the past, and I think he felt at this stage of his career it was too good an opportunity to turn down."[15] Lockwood made his debut on the opening day of the season, in the 0–0 draw at home to Bournemouth. Still, an ankle injury kept him sidelined for the season's first three months.

In the 2007–08 campaign, Lockwood featured 11 times. He helped Forest gain automatic promotion, finishing second in the league, as Forest were promoted from League One to the Championship. At the end of the season, Colchester United, who had just been relegated from the Championship, had their £100k move for Lockwood accepted.[16] Forest were reluctant to let Lockwood leave but agreed to sell due to the player's desire for guaranteed first team football.

Colchester United

He signed for an undisclosed fee for Colchester United in June 2008.[17] On the opening game of the season, Lockwood made his debut in a 4–2 loss against Hartlepool United.[18] He only made three appearances in the first half of the season due to an injury he suffered in August, leaving him sidelined 3 months. During this time, Colchester changed managers, and once Lockwood got fit, he found his first-team opportunities limited due to the new manager signing another left-back without even seeing Lockwood kick a ball.[19] By January, Lockwood made his recovery from his knee problem and returned to training.[20] Towards the end of the season, he would make two more appearances.

Colchester announced that his contract would not be renewed when it expires at the following season's end.[21] Before his release, Lockwood says he couldn't wait to leave the club.[22] After leaving the club, he was linked with a return to Colchester, under new manager John Ward, but he refused, describing his time there as a 'nightmare'.[23]

Loan moves

Lockwood joined Barnet on loan in February 2009.[24] After the move, Lockwood explained he decided to join Barnet to build up his match fitness after 3 months out injured. [25] During his stay, the club have picked up eight points from a possible 15 to drag them away from the immediate danger of the drop.

On 30 October 2009, he signed a one-month loan deal at Dagenham & Redbridge.[26] He made his debut against Port Vale. He completed his loan on 30 November 2009.

In January 2010, he joined Barnet on loan for another month and scored his first goal for the club against Morecambe on 23 January 2010.[27] The loan period was extended to the end of the season.[28]

Dundee

On 20 August 2010, Lockwood signed a one-year deal for Dundee.[29] He made his debut in a 0–0 draw against Ross County.

On 2 October 2010, Lockwood scored his first goal for the club from the penalty spot and set up a winning goal in a 2–1 win against Morton.[30]

At the end of October 2010 following the club entering administration and making numerous redundancies, including 9 first team players plus the manager and assistant manager, Lockwood was appointed as player/assistant manager of Dundee, due to his desire to go into management and the fact he had done his A license coaching qualification. Lockwood spoke out about the club's administration, saying the club was prepared to stay up against all the odds after being deducted 25 points in the league.[31] During the club's administration, Lockwood would help Dundee to a 23 match unbeaten run beating the previous club record set by the league winning team of the 60's. These unbelievable results with just 11 first-team players at the club helped Dundee escape relegation. The club also exited administration at the end of the season. In his first season, he made thirty-four appearances, scored five goals, and was voted the club's player of the year. The following season, Lockwood scored in the opening game against Partick Thistle, in which Dundee won 1–0. At the end of the season, Lockwood signed a new deal. Shortly after signing, he revealed he had settled in Scotland, which persuaded him to stay at Dundee.[32]

Dundee finished in second place in the 2011/2012 season but advanced to the Scottish Premier League to replace Rangers after they went into liquidation and new club The Rangers, was allowed into Division Three. Lockwood made his SPL debut in a 0–0 draw against Kilmarnock on the season's opening day. Three months later, Lockwood scored his first goal of the season with a trademark freekick which flew into the top corner, as Dundee won 1–0 against Heart of Midlothian[33]

Following Dundee's relegation, Lockwood signed a new one-year deal having impressed new manager John Brown while playing at left back, centre back and as a sweeper towards the end of the previous season.[34] Lockwood continued to play sweeper and centre half at the start of the 2013/2014 season[35] but moved to his more familiar left back role a couple of months into the season. Dundee went on a good run of form, which saw them top the table at the start of December 2013. His performances were praised by Brown, quoting: "Matt has been great for us since I've been here. You can see why he's played much higher and is comfortable at full-back and in the middle of the defence. As well as his own game, he's a very good talker and organiser and keeps the younger players right during games."[36] Lockwood's was referred to as "Dens Park's Ryan Giggs" by Dundee fans.[37]

As the season progressed, Manager John Brown was sacked. Lockwood applied for the vacant manager's position, but Paul Hartley was hired instead. At the end of the season, Lockwood was released by the club.[35] After being released, Lockwood expressed an interest in becoming the Manager of Greenock Morton, who were relegated from the Scottish Championship.[38] His release was later confirmed on 10 June 2014.[39] Upon leaving the club, Lockwood revealed no one from Dundee had contacted him to tell him he wasn't being offered a new deal. He found out he was released after a Dundee fan told him it was on the club's website. Lockwood said his four years at Dundee were eventful and that he had enjoyed his time at the club but was disappointed with his treatment. Most people in Dundee were surprised to see Lockwood get released, as someone of Lockwood's quality isn't easily replaced. On and off the pitch, he is well respected by everyone involved in football.[40]

Sutton United

Lockwood signed for Sutton United as player coach in 2014.[41]

Career statistics

Source:[42] [43]

ClubSeasonDivisionLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
QPR1995–96Premier League0000000000
Total0000000000
Bristol Rovers1996–97Division Two391002000411
Bristol Rovers1997–98Division Two24050105[44] [45] 0350
Total631503050761
Leyton Orient1998–99Division Three37340203[46] 0463
Leyton Orient1999–2000Division Three416204100477
Leyton Orient2000–01Division Three327404041448
Leyton Orient2001–02Division Three242101000262
Leyton Orient2002–03Division Three435201021486
Leyton Orient2003–04Division Three252211011294
Leyton Orient2004–05League Two436211040507
Leyton Orient2005–06League Two428500000478
Leyton Orient2006–07League One41113010104611
Leyton Orient total3285025215115338356
Nottingham Forest2007–08League One110100000120
Colchester United2008–09League One5000000050
Barnet (loan)2008–09League Two120000000120
Colchester United2009–10League One1000001020
→ Dagenham & Redbridge (loan)2009–10League Two4000000040
Barnet (loan)2009–10League Two192000000192
Dundee2010–11Scottish First Division335101000355
Dundee2011–12Scottish First Division34320211[47] 0394
Dundee2012–13Scottish Premier League231102000261
Dundee2013–14Scottish Championship170101000190
Sutton United2014–15Conference South9000000090
Career total5596236224222364169

Coaching career

In 2023, Lockwood was appointed head coach and technical director of the Montserrat national football team.[48] [49] He managed only two games in March 2023 before being replaced by Lee Bowyer for the team's September games,[50] while remaining as technical director.

Honours

Club

Nottingham Forest
Dundee

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Book: Barry J. . Hugman . The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11 . 2010 . Mainstream Publishing . 978-1-84596-601-0 . 256 .
  2. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Web site: Matt Lockwood . YouTube.
  3. News: SIX FROM PROMOTED TRIO IN PFA XI. Sky Sports. 29 April 2001. 25 November 2012.
  4. Web site: Pitcher . Brendan . 2022-10-03 . Play-Off heartache, last gasp promotion and ruptured spleens - Leyton Orient legend Matt Lockwood on his time at the club . 2024-07-12 . London Football Scene . en-GB.
  5. News: LIONS SET FOR ORIENT RAID. Sky Sports. 20 May 2001. 25 November 2012.
  6. News: ALBION ENTER LOCKWOOD RACE. Sky Sports. 25 July 2001. 25 November 2012.
  7. News: EAGLES TO SEAL LOCKWOOD SWOOP?. Sky Sports. 12 August 2001. 25 November 2012.
  8. News: 14 August 2001 . O'S TO OFFER LOCKWOOD NEW DEAL . 25 November 2012 . Sky Sports.
  9. News: 18 March 2002 . Lockwood pens new O's deal . 26 April 2012 . Sky Sports.
  10. Web site: Leyton Orient 2006-07 Top Scorers - Football . 2024-07-12 . Sports Mole . en-GB.
  11. Web site: Hall of Fame . 2024-07-12 . Leyton Orient.
  12. News: Ronaldo secures PFA awards double . BBC Sport. 22 April 2007. 10 August 2008.
  13. News: LOCKWOOD BLOW FOR ORIENT. Sky Sports. 28 August 2001. 24 March 2013.
  14. News: Matt happy to be back. Evening Standard. London. 15 November 2001. 24 March 2013.
  15. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/nottm_forest/6273890.stm Forest capture Orient's Lockwood
  16. News: Lockwood set to depart Forest. Sky Sports. 16 May 2008. 25 November 2012.
  17. News: Colchester complete Lockwood deal. BBC Sport. 3 June 2008. 3 June 2008.
  18. News: U's sunk by Pools on opening day. Daily Gazette. 9 August 2008. 25 November 2012.
  19. News: Borrowdale arrives on loan. Daily Gazette. 25 August 2008. 25 November 2012.
  20. News: Lockwood has a point to prove for Colchester. Daily Gazette. 12 January 2009. 25 November 2012.
  21. News: Matt Lockwood will not be offered new Colchester deal. BBC Sport. 3 December 2009. 25 November 2012.
  22. News: Matt Lockwood can't wait for his Colchester United nightmare to end. Daily Gazette. 5 May 2010. 25 November 2012.
  23. News: Lockwood rules out Us return. Sky Sports. 8 June 2010. 25 November 2012.
  24. News: Bees make double swoop. Sky Sports. 2 February 2009. 25 November 2012.
  25. News: Lockwood out to impress. Sky Sports. 17 February 2009. 25 November 2012.
  26. News: Lockwood joins the Daggers on loan. Daily Gazette. 30 October 2009. 25 November 2012.
  27. News: Morecambe 2–1 Barnet. BBC Sport . 23 January 2010 . 19 February 2010.
  28. News: Colchester United defender Matt Lockwood has extended his stay at Barnet. Daily Gazette. 25 February 2010. 25 November 2012.
  29. News: Calum Melville continues to back Dundee. BBC Sport. 20 August 2010. 14 December 2013.
  30. News: Dundee 2–1 Morton . BBC. 2 October 2010 . 25 October 2010.
  31. News: Dundee ready to fight for survival, insists skipper Matt Lockwood. Daily Record. 2 November 2010. 25 November 2012.
  32. News: Dundee FC's Matt Lockwood settles on more time in Scotland. The Courier. 30 May 2012. 25 November 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121111164933/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/Sport/Football/article/23042/dundee-fc-s-matt-lockwood-settles-on-more-time-in-scotland.html. 11 November 2012.
  33. News: Dundee 1 Hearts 0: Lockwood's stunning 25 yard free kick earned Dundee their first home win of the season. Daily Record. 4 November 2012. 25 November 2012.
  34. News: Dundee: Three players sign new contracts at Dens Park. BBC Sport. 11 June 2013. 14 December 2013.
  35. News: Dundee trio set to be on their way out of Dens. Evening Telegraph. 16 May 2014. 17 May 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140516072423/http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/sport/dundee-fc/dundee-trio-set-to-be-on-their-way-out-of-dens-1.370538. 16 May 2014.
  36. News: Lockwood the model pro at Dundee. Evening Telegraph. 14 November 2013. 14 December 2013.
  37. News: Dundee veteran hopes to be as useful as Giggs at 40. Evening Telegraph. 30 November 2013. 14 December 2013.
  38. News: Dundee veteran eyes Morton manager's post. Greenock Telegraph. 17 May 2014. 17 May 2014.
  39. Web site: Four Leave Dens.. 10 June 2014.
  40. News: 'A wrench to leave' – Matt Lockwood leaving Dundee for pastures new. The Courier. 12 June 2014. 12 June 2014.
  41. Web site: Ex O's favourite joins U's . Sutton United Official Website . 12 June 2014 . 10 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160512064011/http://www.suttonunited.net/news.php . 12 May 2016 . dead .
  42. Web site: Matt Lockwood | Football Stats | No Club | Age 47 | 1995-2014 | Soccer Base. www.soccerbase.com.
  43. Web site: England - Sutton United FC - Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos and news - Soccerway. uk.soccerway.com.
  44. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  45. Appearance(s) in Division Two play-offs
  46. Appearance(s) in Division Three play-offs
  47. Appearance(s) in Scottish Challenge Cup
  48. Web site: FIFA. www.fifa.com.
  49. Web site: EXCLUSIVE: Former Dundee United ace Craig Easton opens up on shock international adventure in the Caribbean — alongside ex-Dens Park hero. Alan. Temple.
  50. Web site: Ex-Leeds United star lands new coaching job with national side ranked 179th in world. Lee Sobot. Temple.
  51. Web site: Hall of Fame . 12 October 2023 . Leyton Orient.