Early career

Born in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, Lockwood was a trainee with hometown club Southend United before signing a professional contract with Queens Park Rangers on 2 May 1995.^[1] Lockwood was part of the highly 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 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 at Bristol Rovers, Lockwood moved on a free transfer to Leyton Orient, where he became an integral part of the first team. Lockwood was named PFA Team of the Year in the 1999–00 season and 2000–01 season.^[3] These performances attracted the attention of many Premier League clubs, but although Leyton Orient received offers in the region of £500,000, they did not accept any.

Later, when Lockwood caught the attention of Championship clubs including Millwall,^[4] West Bromwich Albion^[5] and Crystal Palace,^[6] Orient offered him an improved contract, and he stayed at The Matchroom Stadium.^[7][8] Lockwood signed an improved two-year deal at the end of the season.^[8]

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, including an 11-minute hat-trick in a game at Brisbane Road vs. Gillingham, which secured a 3–3 draw after the O's had been 3–0 down with 13 minutes remaining. He scored 11 goals from left-back that season. He was named in PFA League One Team of the Year for 2006–07.^[9]

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."^[12] 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.^[13] 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.^[14] On the opening game of the season, Lockwood made his debut in a 4–2 loss against Hartlepool United.^[15] 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.^[16] By January, Lockwood made his recovery from his knee problem and returned to training.^[17] 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.^[18] Before his release, Lockwood says he couldn't wait to leave the club.^[19] 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'.^[20]

Loan moves

Lockwood joined Barnet on loan in February 2009.^[21] After the move, Lockwood explained he decided to join Barnet to build up his match fitness after 3 months out injured. ^[22] 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.^[23] 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.^[24] The loan period was extended to the end of the season .^[25]

Dundee

On 20 August 2010, Lockwood signed a one-year deal for Dundee.^[26] 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.^[27]

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.^[28] 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.^[29]

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^[30]

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.^[31] Lockwood continued to play sweeper and centre half at the start of the 2013/2014 season^[32] 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."^[33] Lockwood's was referred to as "Dens Park's Ryan Giggs" by Dundee fans.^[34]

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.^[32] After being released, Lockwood expressed an interest in becoming the Manager of Greenock Morton, who were relegated from the Scottish Championship.^[35] His release was later confirmed on 10 June 2014.^[36] 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.^[37]

Sutton United

Lockwood signed for Sutton United as player coach in 2014.^[38]

Club

Nottingham Forest

• Football League One runner-up: 2007–08

Dundee

• Scottish Championship Winners: 2013–14

Individual

• 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^[44]