An English hockey legend from 1986: Imran Sherwani, Olympic Gold Medallist

Imran Sherwani was born in 1962 and is English hockey legend and one of the most talented players in the history of hockey in that country.

He won gold with the Great Britain squad at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. He played on the left wing, and scored two of the three goals against Germany in the 1988 final, making a significant contribution to the match. In a BBC News article Imran Sherwani said: “When we got back to Heathrow Airport it was bizarre for a hockey player to walk out to hundreds of cheering people. You see it with rugby and football but not usually hockey.”

Sherwani playing at the 6th World Cup final of 1986:

In addition to this Olympic vitory, he won silver with the England squad at the 1986 Hockey World Cup in London. Sherwani was capped 45 times for Great Britain and 49 times for England.

Sherwani was born in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, and is of Pakistani descent. Ever since he played in his first match at the age of 14, Sherwani dreamt of playing in the Olympic Games. His father played hockey for Pakistan.

He has played club hockey for Stourport, Stone and Leek, and was Director of Hockey at Denstone College in Staffordshire. He also has and has links with Cannock Hockey Club, where his three sons play. Sherwani was selected as one of the torchbearers for the 2012 Olympic torch relay.