British hockey great and Olympic gold medallist Imran Sherwani has died aged 57, his family have announced. The father-of-three was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer’s in December 2019.
Sherwani entered British sporting folklore by scoring two goals in the final as Great Britain won gold at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. His second goal and Britain’s third in the 3-1 win over West Germany led to the iconic ‘Where were the Germans?’ line from BBC commentator Barry Davies.
It sparked British hockey’s greatest moment for thousands watching at dawn back home in the UK.
Famously ‘a newsagent from Stoke’ where he would still proudly show off his gold medal after returning from the 1988 Olympics, Imran was the third Asian player to play for GB after Sutinder Kehar and Kulbir Bhaura, his 1988 team-mate.
READ MORE: ‘Don’t drop your rifles, boys’: Imran Sherwani on how GB coach created Olympic winners
“Dad didn’t like the people of London so he jumped on a bus and ended up in Stoke-on-Trent,” Sherwani told me in 2018. “Word of mouth in the pottery industry then saw that this Pakistani hockey player was in the area and most of the bosses were of public school heritage and they gave him a job.”
Sherwani soon progressed from the 5th XI at North Staffs Hockey Club, coming on as a young, quick forward in a team made up of stalwart players, into the 1st XI.
Staffordshire trials for England at under-16 level followed. Sherwani’s moment at senior level arrived at a Home Counties international series in Cardiff, while he missed out on the 1984 Olympics with a meniscus tear.
After playing in England’s 1986 World Cup silver medal winning team, coach Roger Self was concerned over Sherwani’s knees in the build up to the 1988 Olympics. At one meeting at his home, Self gave Sherwani a “heavy, rusty Meccano frame” to sort his quads. “It was totally the wrong thing to use but it was all a ploy to make me mentally tough. Funnily enough, I did use it and it did actually work,” recalled Sherwani.
Recalling his greatest moment with GB’s winning goal in Seoul, Sherwani said: “Batch [Steve Batchelor] did the German and I just carried on for his pass and met it as it came across and slotted home. It was just incredible and I think we knew then. It felt like that was it. I still get emotional about it today. The win, the team, it is all just a fantastic story and I am privileged and fortunate enough to be part of it.”
His family first began to notice problems in 2014 when he had difficulties with his memory and had to retire from his director of hockey role at a Staffordshire school.
Imran, who accrued 94 combined caps for England and GB, announced his Alzheimer’s diagnosis publicly in 2021, ahead of a team running the London Marathon for Alzheimer’s Research UK in his honour. The team, which was led by his former team-mate and fellow gold medallist Steve Batchelor and included Imran’s sons Zac and Aaron, raised over £45,000.
Imran’s family have continued to raise awareness of young onset dementia to help other families. “Whilst many knew him for his sporting achievements, to us he was a devoted family man whose warmth, humour, and kindness touched everyone who knew him. Imran will be profoundly missed, but his legacy will remain with us always,” his family said.
Sherwani played for a variety of clubs, mainly in the midlands, including North Stafford, Stourport (three times), Stone and Leek.
Leek said in a statement: “Imran was one of Leek HC’s greatest players and arguably their most influential. He joined Leek in 1996 and was the catalyst for an unprecedented period of success, leading Leek from a provincial Midlands lower league club to National League status.
“Imran was not only a great hockey player but a great person and will be sadly missed by all at Leek Hockey Club.”
Imran was a multi-sport talent. He also played for Porthill Park Cricket Club in Newcastle-under-Lymeas a child, as part of winning the Kidsgrove League side, then with Porthill’s senior teams.
England Hockey CEO Rich Beer said: “Imran Sherwani will forever be remembered as one of the true icons of England and Great Britain Hockey. His talent, leadership and humility inspired generations of players and fans alike.”
Imran Sherwani #Pitcherohttps://t.co/X82EcoHCrV pic.twitter.com/bmDFUwYymq
— Leek Hockey Club 🏑💙🤍 (@LeekHockeyClub) November 28, 2025
Almost one million people in the UK are living with dementia today and it is the leading cause of death. Around 71,000 are living with young onset dementia, having been diagnosed under the age of 65.
Hilary Evans-Newton, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Our thoughts are with Imran’s family following the sad news that he has died with dementia.
“Imran and his GB hockey team-mates became household names thanks to their iconic victory at the 1988 Olympics. Having someone of his standing speak so openly about their diagnosis, has had a big impact on raising awareness.
“We are so grateful to the family for everything they have done to support dementia research. By sharing their experience of dementia, they have powerfully highlighted the need to improve diagnosis and find new treatments and ultimately a cure.”
