Imran Sherwani, Great Britain Olympic Hockey Hero, Dies Aged 63

Imran Sherwani, who starred successful nan Great Britain lucky squad that won Olympic golden successful 1988, has died astatine nan property of 63, his family person announced.

Sherwani revealed successful 2021 that had he been diagnosed pinch young-onset Alzheimer’s successful 2019, and his family proceed to raise consciousness of nan condition. He represented Great Britain and England 94 times, culminating successful scoring 2 goals successful his team’s 3-1 last triumph complete West Germany successful Seoul.

Sherwani’s 2nd extremity that efficaciously clinched nan title sparked a celebrated guidance from BBC commentator Barry Davies, who asked: “Where were nan Germans? But frankly, who cares!”

It sparked British hockey’s top infinitesimal for thousands watching astatine dawn backmost location successful nan UK. Imran was nan 3rd Asian subordinate to play for GB aft Sutinder Kehar and Kulbir Bhaura, his 1988 teammate.

He came from a sporting family – his begetter played lucky for Pakistan and his awesome uncles played for Stoke City and Port Vale.

Recalling his top infinitesimal pinch nan winning extremity successful Seoul, Sherwani said: “Batch [Steve Batchelor] did nan German and I conscionable carried connected for his walk and met it arsenic it came crossed and slotted home. It was conscionable unthinkable and I deliberation we knew then. It felt for illustration that was it. I still get affectional astir it. The win, nan team, it is each conscionable a awesome communicative and I americium privileged and fortunate capable to beryllium portion of it.”

Imran Sherwani scores 1 of his 2 goals during nan 1988 Olympic lucky last astatine Seongnam Stadium. Photograph: Colorsport/Shutterstock

Rich Beer, main operating serviceman of Great Britain Hockey, said: “Imran Sherwani will everlastingly beryllium remembered arsenic 1 of nan existent icons of England and Great Britain Hockey. His talent, activity and humility inspired generations of players and fans alike.”

Leek Hockey Club said: “Imran was 1 of Leek HC’s top players and arguably their astir influential. He joined Leek successful 1996 and was nan catalyst for an unprecedented play of success.

“Whilst it would look inconceivable to galore that his top accomplishment wasn’t nan 2 goals scored to triumph golden for Great Britain successful nan 1988 Olympic final, Imran often insisted nan 6-2 triumph against Old Georgians securing Leek promotion to nan National League astatine Belle Vue successful 2003 was his proudest moment.

“Imran was not only a awesome lucky subordinate but a awesome personification and will beryllium sadly missed by each astatine Leek Hockey Club.”