71 Tom Long

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 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

“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”

Karl Lennon