Grays Hockey is delighted to announce the signing of England and Great Britain international striker Henry Croft as our newest flagship sponsored athlete on a long-term deal through to 2032.
Few players in world hockey have enjoyed a rise quite like Henry's. From his early days at Beeston HC to becoming one of the most exciting attacking talents in the international game. The 2025/26 season saw Henry reach new heights, helping Old Georgians HC reclaim the Premier Division title and scoring a crucial goal in the Premier Division final against Wimbledon HC. Known for his explosive pace, powerful running, fearless attacking style, and eye for spectacular goals, Henry has quickly become one of the most talked about strikers in the game.
Now firmly established within the England and Great Britain setup, he is widely regarded as one of the players who will lead the next generation of international hockey. We sat down with Henry to discuss his new partnership with Grays Hockey, his ambitions for the future, and the journey that brought him to the top.
1. How Does It Feel To Sign A Long-Term Contract With Grays Hockey Like Many Iconic Players, Past and Present?
"I am buzzing to be signing a long-term contract with Grays. Grays are a company who have a long history in my family, with my dad using the sticks when he was younger, and it was also my first stick when I started playing. So to now be sponsored by Grays is an amazing feeling."
2. What Sticks & Shoes Will You Be Using & What Are Your Thougts On Them?
"I will be using the JB10. I love hitting the ball hard and I feel this stick allows me to do that. It also brings a lot of touch and control, helping me in other areas of my game. I'll also be wearing the AeroCage X10 shoe. They offer great support and grip, which is very important to me after my ankle injury, allowing me to focus fully on my game."
3. What Are Your Ambitions In Hockey Over The Next Few Years?
"Going forward, my goals are around winning medals at major championships in the next few years with England and GB. I feel as a group we are very close, so my ambitions are to get better every day to help the team get over the line in upcoming tournaments."
4. Tell us a bit about your hockey background. Where did you fall in love with the game, and when did you know you wanted to be a professional hockey player?
"Since I could walk, I have always played hockey. When I was very young, I would go down to the local park with my mum and dad and hit plastic bottles to earn an ice cream. Once I got slightly older, I joined Beeston HC. Once I joined Beeston, my passion for the game grew. I enjoyed playing every Sunday but also waiting around until the first team played at 2 o'clock. I worked my way through the club, meeting some amazing people along the way, from the 7s to the 1s, until I debuted at 17 playing with many players I had watched as a youngster, such as Adam Dixon. That was an amazing feeling, and the more Premier League hockey I played, the more I realised this is what I wanted to do as often as I could. I eventually got a job selling tarmac while still playing for the first team at Beeston, but my dream of playing for the national team never died. After a lot of running sessions, I managed to make my debut and earn a contract in the programme, which will always be one of the proudest moments of my life."
5. A Message From Grays Hockey
Grays Hockey Brand Lead:
“Henry embodies everything that Grays stands for: a relentless desire to improve. His rise from grassroots hockey to the international stage is a story that will inspire the next generation of players, and his exciting style of play makes him one of the most watchable athletes in world hockey today. As we look ahead to the next chapter of his career, we are incredibly proud to welcome Henry to the Grays family on a long-term partnership through to 2032. We are excited to support him as he pursues success with Old Georgians, England, and Great Britain, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds.”
Welcome to Grays Hockey, Henry.
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