Invicta Dynamos Head Coach Karl Lennon has added depth to his roster with the signing of former EPL and NIHL forward Tom Long who returns to the game having previously hung up his skates in 2012 to join the Royal Marines. The 37 year old centreman will bring valuable experience and maturity to the team and continues the vision Lennon has of mixing young, skilful players with accomplished players like Long who can guide and support them.
Tom Long came to prominence with the Chelmsford Chieftains before stints in the former EPL with the Essex side, Slough Jets, Romford Raiders, Wightlink Raiders and Basingstoke Bison between 2002 and 2010. In 272 EPL appearances the forward notched 70 goals 95 assists and 165 points.
In 2010/11 Long then re-joined the Chieftains, now of the NIHL South Division 1, where he enjoyed an empathic return to Essex with 58 points in 37 league outings including 34 goals and 24 assists as one of the club’s alternate captains. This tally was then surpassed the following year – Long finding twine on 30 occasions and playing a role in 40 other strikes for a total of 70 points in 35 games.
Despite his fantastic form and influence on the team, Tom Long bid an emotional farewell to the sport in the summer of 2012 as he put his skates to one side to join the world-renowned Royal Marines. Long very briefly joined the Mos in 2017 but played just a handful of games before stepping away from the sport again. After the extended hiatus Long feels ready to return to ice hockey and is delighted to be able to ice for the Mos and complete his comeback.
After signing for the club, Long had this say to “After a long time not playing I’m so happy to be in the Dynamos line up. I’ve been training with the guys from the team and they’re such a talented group it’s been amazing to be part of it already. I like the direction the team is heading and I’m looking forward to the start of the season and getting going. I’ll bring a bit of experience to this youthful talented team, and I look forward to seeing you all when the puck drops for the start of the new season”.
On securing the services of Long, Lennon added “Tom has trained with us over the summer and you could tell that he was desperate to get back into his hockey. I could draw parallels in his excitement to my own from last season. Immediately you could see his obvious quality and experience shining through. I’ve known Tom for a very long time now and he is an out and out grafter that works hard across the ice and back in the day always popped up with big performances. His winning attitude and intensity will be vital for us next season and I can’t wait to see him line up in our team. I’m certain that Tom will quickly settle back into the game and bring an added dimension to next season”.
We are sure Long still has that prolific goal scoring ability intact and we look forward to watching him put a few past our opposition this season. He will wear number 71. Welcome back Long!
PLAYER SPONSORSHIP
Warm-up Jersey – For just £125 get your name or logo printed on the back of Tom Long’s warm-up jersey. Sponsors are also named on our website and then presented with the jersey to keep at the end of the season.
Game jerseys – For just £175 get your name or logo printed on the back of Tom Long’s home or away game jerseys. Want both? For just £300 get your name or logo on the back of each of Tom Long’s game jerseys. Sponsors are also named on our website and are announced over the loudspeaker during player introductions at every home game and are presented with their jersey (one shirt) at the end of the season. Business sponsors also get their logo placed on our official website.
Contact Sarah Parrish by email at Sarah@invictadynamos.co.uk for player sponsorship details or enquiries.