Matt Lockwood

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

After completing his contract with Bristol Rovers, Lockwood moved on a free transfer to Leyton Orient, where he became an integral part of the first team. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year for both the 1999–00 and 2000–01 seasons.{{cite news|title=SIX FROM PROMOTED TRIO IN PFA XI|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11704/2208866/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=29 April 2001|access-date=25 November 2012}} His performances attracted the attention of several Premier League clubs, but Leyton Orient did not accept any offers for him.{{Cite web |last=Pitcher |first=Brendan |date=2022-10-03 |title=Play-Off heartache, last gasp promotion and ruptured spleens - Leyton Orient legend Matt Lockwood on his time at the club |url=https://londonfootballscene.co.uk/2022/10/03/play-off-heartache-last-gasp-promotion-and-ruptured-spleens-leyton-orient-legend-matt-lockwood-on-his-time-at-the-club/ |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=London Football Scene |language=en-GB}}

Later, when Lockwood attracted the attention of Championship clubs, including Millwall,{{cite news|title=LIONS SET FOR ORIENT RAID|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11728/2210144/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=20 May 2001|access-date=25 November 2012}} West Bromwich Albion,{{cite news|title=ALBION ENTER LOCKWOOD RACE|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11698/2214352/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=25 July 2001|access-date=25 November 2012}} and Crystal Palace,{{cite news|title=EAGLES TO SEAL LOCKWOOD SWOOP?|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11706/2215599/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=12 August 2001|access-date=25 November 2012}} Leyton Orient offered him an improved two-year deal, which he signed at the end of the season.{{cite news |date=14 August 2001 |title=O'S TO OFFER LOCKWOOD NEW DEAL |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11706/2215787/ |access-date=25 November 2012 |publisher=Sky Sports}}{{cite news |date=18 March 2002 |title=Lockwood pens new O's deal |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11742/2233082/ |access-date=26 April 2012 |publisher=Sky Sports}}

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

Lockwood was Leyton Orient's second-highest goal-scorer in the 2006–07 season,{{Cite web |title=Leyton Orient 2006-07 Top Scorers - Football |url=https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/leyton-orient/2006-07/top-scorers.html |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=Sports Mole |language=en-GB}} including an 11-minute hat-trick in a game against Gillingham.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Hall of Fame |url=https://leytonorient.com/ |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=Leyton Orient}} He scored 11 goals from left-back that season and was named in the PFA League One Team of the Year for 2006–07.{{cite news

| title = Ronaldo secures PFA awards double

| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6582201.stm

| publisher = BBC Sport

| date = 22 April 2007

| access-date = 10 August 2008}}

During the 2001–02 season, Lockwood suffered a significant spleen injury during a match against York City in August 2001 after colliding with an opposing player.{{cite news|title=LOCKWOOD BLOW FOR ORIENT|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11742/2217115/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=28 August 2001|access-date=24 March 2013}} His injury was initially life-threatening as his condition quickly deteriorated, and it took several months to recover. He made his return in a match against Crystal Palace reserves, stating: "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."{{cite news|title=Matt happy to be back|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/matt-happy-to-be-back-6353716.html|work=Evening Standard|location=London|date=15 November 2001|access-date=24 March 2013}}

In July 2007, Lockwood signed for League One giants Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee, agreeing to a two-year contract. 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."[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/nottm_forest/6273890.stm Forest capture Orient's Lockwood] BBC Sport, 5 July 2007 Lockwood made his debut on the opening day of the season in a 0–0 draw at home to Bournemouth, but an ankle injury sidelined him for the first three months of the season.

In the 2007–08 campaign, Lockwood made 11 appearances and helped Nottingham Forest secure automatic promotion by finishing second in the league, earning promotion from League One to the Championship. At the end of the season, Colchester United, recently relegated from the Championship, had a £100,000 bid for Lockwood accepted.{{cite news|title=Lockwood set to depart Forest|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11683/3573235/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=16 May 2008|access-date=25 November 2012}} Forest were reluctant to let him go, they agreed to the sale due to Lockwood's desire for guaranteed first-team football.

Lockwood signed for Colchester United in June 2008 for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news

| title = Colchester complete Lockwood deal

| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/colchester_united/7403184.stm

| publisher = BBC Sport

| date = 3 June 2008

| access-date = 3 June 2008}} In the opening game of the season, he made his debut in a 4–2 loss against Hartlepool United.{{cite news|title=U's sunk by Pools on opening day|url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/colchesterunited/3583756.U_s_sunk_by_Pools_on_opening_day/|work=Daily Gazette|date=9 August 2008|access-date=25 November 2012}} He made only three appearances in the first half of the season due to an injury he suffered in August, which sidelined him for three months. During this time, Colchester changed managers, and once Lockwood regained fitness, he found his first-team opportunities limited as the new manager signed another left-back without having seen Lockwood play.{{cite news|title=Borrowdale arrives on loan|url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/colchesterunited/3704354.Borrowdale_arrives_on_loan/|work=Daily Gazette|date=25 August 2008|access-date=25 November 2012}} By January, Lockwood had recovered from his knee injury and returned to training.{{cite news|title=Lockwood has a point to prove for Colchester|url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/colchesterunited/4039808.Lockwood_has_a_point_to_prove_for_Colchester/|work=Daily Gazette|date=12 January 2009|access-date=25 November 2012}} Towards the end of the season, he made two more appearances.

Colchester announced that his contract would not be renewed when it expired at the end of the following season.{{cite news|title=Matt Lockwood will not be offered new Colchester deal|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/colchester_united/8392724.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=3 December 2009|access-date=25 November 2012}} Before his release, Lockwood stated that he couldn't wait to leave the club.{{cite news|title=Matt Lockwood can't wait for his Colchester United nightmare to end|url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/colchesterunited/8136837.Lockwood_can_t_wait_for_his_Colchester_United_nightmare_to_end/|work=Daily Gazette|date=5 May 2010|access-date=25 November 2012}} After departing, he was linked with a return to Colchester under new manager John Ward, but he refused, describing his time there as a "nightmare."{{cite news|title=Lockwood rules out Us return|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11702/6213143/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=8 June 2010|access-date=25 November 2012}}

Lockwood joined Barnet on loan in February 2009.{{cite news|title=Bees make double swoop|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11702/4885250/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=2 February 2009|access-date=25 November 2012}} After the move, he explained that he decided to join Barnet to build up his match fitness after three months out injured.{{cite news|title=Lockwood out to impress|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11702/4935309/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=17 February 2009|access-date=25 November 2012}} During his stay, the club picked up eight points from a possible 15, helping to move them away from the immediate danger of relegation.

On 30 October 2009, he signed a one-month loan deal with Dagenham & Redbridge.{{cite news|title=Lockwood joins the Daggers on loan|url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/colchesterunited/4712148.Lockwood_joins_the_Daggers_on_loan/|work=Daily Gazette|date=30 October 2009|access-date=25 November 2012}} He made his debut against Port Vale and completed his loan on 30 November 2009.

In January 2010, Lockwood rejoined Barnet on loan for another month and scored his first goal for the club against Morecambe on 23 January 2010.{{cite news

|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/8450968.stm

|title=Morecambe 2–1 Barnet

|publisher=BBC Sport

|date=23 January 2010 |access-date=19 February 2010}} The loan period was then extended until the end of the season.{{cite news|title=Colchester United defender Matt Lockwood has extended his stay at Barnet|url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/colchesterunited/5027684.Lockwood_extends_stay_at_Barnet/|work=Daily Gazette|date=25 February 2010|access-date=25 November 2012}}

On 20 August 2010, Lockwood signed a one-year deal with Dundee.{{cite news|title=Calum Melville continues to back Dundee|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee/8932894.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 August 2010|access-date=14 December 2013}} 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 the winning goal in a 2–1 victory against Morton.{{cite news

|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/9050051.stm

|title=Dundee 2–1 Morton

|publisher=BBC

|date=2 October 2010 |access-date=25 October 2010}}

At the end of October 2010, following the club entering administration and making numerous redundancies, including nine first-team players, the manager, and the assistant manager, Lockwood was appointed player/assistant manager of Dundee. This was due to his desire to move into management and his completion of the A License coaching qualification. Lockwood spoke out about the club's administration, stating that the team was determined to stay up against all odds, despite being deducted 25 points in the league.{{cite news|title=Dundee ready to fight for survival, insists skipper Matt Lockwood|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/dundee-ready-to-fight-for-survival-insists-1074416|publisher=Daily Record|date=2 November 2010|access-date=25 November 2012}}

During the club's time in administration, Lockwood helped Dundee achieve a remarkable 23-match unbeaten run, breaking the previous club record set by the league-winning team of the 1960s. These incredible results, with just 11 first-team players, helped Dundee avoid relegation. The club also exited administration at the end of the season. In his first season, Lockwood made 34 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, helping Dundee secure a 1–0 victory. At the end of the season, he signed a new contract with the club. Shortly after, he revealed that settling in Scotland had influenced his decision to stay at Dundee.{{cite news|title=Dundee FC's Matt Lockwood settles on more time in Scotland|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/Sport/Football/article/23042/dundee-fc-s-matt-lockwood-settles-on-more-time-in-scotland.html|publisher=The Courier|date=30 May 2012|access-date=25 November 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=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|archive-date=11 November 2012}}

Dundee finished second in the 2011–12 season but were promoted to the Scottish Premier League to replace Rangers after they went into liquidation, and the new club, The Rangers, was placed in Division Three. Lockwood made his SPL debut in a 0–0 draw against Kilmarnock on the opening day of the season. Three months later, he scored his first goal of the season with a trademark free kick that flew into the top corner, securing a 1–0 win for Dundee against Heart of Midlothian.{{cite news|title=Dundee 1 Hearts 0: Lockwood's stunning 25 yard free kick earned Dundee their first home win of the season|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/dundee-1-hearts-0-spl-1415994|publisher=Daily Record|date=4 November 2012|access-date=25 November 2012}}

Following Dundee's relegation, Lockwood signed a new one-year deal, having impressed new manager John Brown by playing at left-back, centre-back, and as a sweeper towards the end of the previous season.{{cite news|title=Dundee: Three players sign new contracts at Dens Park|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22861499|publisher=BBC Sport|date=11 June 2013|access-date=14 December 2013}} Lockwood continued to play as a sweeper and centre-half at the start of the 2013–14 season{{cite news|title=Dundee trio set to be on their way out of Dens|url=http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/sport/dundee-fc/dundee-trio-set-to-be-on-their-way-out-of-dens-1.370538|work=Evening Telegraph|date=16 May 2014|access-date=17 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=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|archive-date=16 May 2014}} but returned to his more familiar left-back role a couple of months into the season. Dundee then went on a strong run of form, leading the table at the start of December 2013. His performances were praised by Brown, who said, "Matt has been great for us since I've been here. You can see why he's played at a higher level; he's 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."{{cite news|title=Lockwood the model pro at Dundee|url=http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/sport/dundee-fc/lockwood-the-model-pro-at-dundee-1.153060|work=Evening Telegraph|date=14 November 2013|access-date=14 December 2013}} Lockwood was affectionately referred to as "Dens Park's Ryan Giggs" by Dundee fans.{{cite news|title=Dundee veteran hopes to be as useful as Giggs at 40|url=http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/sport/dundee-fc/dundee-veteran-hopes-to-be-as-useful-as-giggs-at-40-1.159771|work=Evening Telegraph|date=30 November 2013|access-date=14 December 2013}}

As the season progressed, manager John Brown was fired. 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. After his release, Lockwood expressed interest in becoming the manager of Greenock Morton, who had been relegated from the Scottish Championship.{{cite news|title=Dundee veteran eyes Morton manager's post|url=http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/sport/morton/articles/2014/05/17/498598-dundee-veteran-eyes-morton-managers-post/|work=Greenock Telegraph|date=17 May 2014|access-date=17 May 2014}} His release was officially confirmed on 10 June 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.dundeefc.co.uk/news/four-leave-dens|title=Four Leave Dens.|date=10 June 2014}}

Upon leaving the club, Lockwood revealed that no one from Dundee had contacted him to inform him he wasn't being offered a new deal. He found out about his release from a Dundee fan who saw it on the club's website. Lockwood said his four years at Dundee had been eventful and that he had enjoyed his time at the club, but he was disappointed with how he was treated. Many in Dundee were surprised by his release, as a player of Lockwood's quality is not easily replaced. Both on and off the pitch, he was well respected by everyone involved in football.{{cite news|title='A wrench to leave' – Matt Lockwood leaving Dundee for pastures new|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/sport/football/dundee-fc/a-wrench-to-leave-matt-lockwood-leaving-dundee-for-pastures-new-1.418025|publisher=The Courier|date=12 June 2014|access-date=12 June 2014}}

Lockwood signed for Sutton United as a player-coach in 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.suttonunited.net/news.php |title=Ex O's favourite joins U's |publisher=Sutton United Official Website |access-date=12 June 2014 |date=10 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512064011/http://www.suttonunited.net/news.php |archive-date=12 May 2016 |url-status=dead }}

Source:{{Cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=4578|title=Matt Lockwood | Football Stats | No Club | Age 47 | 1995-2014 | Soccer Base|website=www.soccerbase.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/england/sutton-united-fc/4760/squad/|title=England - Sutton United FC - Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos and news - Soccerway|website=uk.soccerway.com}}

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

In 2023, Lockwood was appointed head coach and technical director of the Montserrat national football team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations/origin1904-p.cxm.fifa.com/en/about-fifa/associations/MSR|title=FIFA|website=www.fifa.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-united/4284316/dundee-united-ace-craig-easton-montserrat-caribbean-matt-lockwood-david-preece/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Former Dundee United ace Craig Easton opens up on shock international adventure in the Caribbean — alongside ex-Dens Park hero|first=Alan|last=Temple}} He managed only two games in March 2023 before being replaced by Lee Bowyer for the team's September fixtures,{{Cite web|url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/ex-leeds-united-star-lands-new-coaching-job-with-national-side-ranked-179th-in-world-4286567|title=Ex-Leeds United star lands new coaching job with national side ranked 179th in world|first=Lee Sobot|last=Temple}} while continuing in his role as technical director.

{{Updated|Match played 28 March 2023}}

;Nottingham Forest

• Football League One runner-up: 2007–08

;Dundee

• Scottish Championship Winners: 2013–14

• PFA Team of the Year (4): 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2005–06, 2006–07
• PFA Scotland Team of the Year (1): 2010–11
• Leyton Orient Hall of Fame{{Cite web |title=Hall of Fame |url=https://leytonorient.com/ |access-date=12 October 2023 |website=Leyton Orient}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Soccerbase|name=Matthew Lockwood}}

{{Montserrat national football team managers}}

{{Navboxes

| title = Awards

| bg = gold

| fg = navy

| list1 =

{{1999–2000 Football League Third Division PFA Team of the Year}}

{{2000–01 Football League Third Division PFA Team of the Year}}

{{2005–06 Football League Two PFA Team of the Year}}

{{2006–07 Football League One PFA Team of the Year}}

{{Leyton Orient F.C. Hall of Fame}}

}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lockwood, Matt}}

Category:1976 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Southend-on-Sea

Category:English men's footballers

Category:Men's association football defenders

Category:Southend United F.C. players

Category:Queens Park Rangers F.C. players

Category:Bristol Rovers F.C. players

Category:Leyton Orient F.C. players

Category:Nottingham Forest F.C. players

Category:Colchester United F.C. players

Category:Barnet F.C. players

Category:Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. players

Category:Dundee F.C. players

Category:Sutton United F.C. players

Category:Montserrat national football team managers

Category:English Football League players

Category:Scottish Football League players

Category:Scottish Premier League players

Category:Scottish Professional Football League players