Tom Croft said he always wanted to be “a one-club man” as he received the Outstanding Service trophy at the Leicester Tigers Supporters’ Awards Night this week.

A Tigers academy graduate, Croft made more than 170 first-team appearances for the club before announcing his retirement earlier this season. A dynamic back-rower, he was part of four Premiership title-winning squads with Tigers and played in the 2009 European Cup Final as well as winning 40 caps with England and five in two tours with the British & Irish Lions.

Croft topped the supporter vote for the Outstanding Service award and received the trophy from Tigers chief executive Simon Cohen at Tuesday’s Supporters’ Awards Night at Welford Road.

Reflecting on his time at the club, he said: “It’s amazing to get this award. This is my club, my home, my family.

“When I first came from school in my first session I got beaten up by Louis Deacon and needed stitches in my head. He told me about 10 years later he was told to do it to see what the new lad was made of! But you have to earn your stripes.

“I always wanted to be a one-club player and seeing Geordan Murphy do that here spurred me on even more.”

Scroll down for an Awards Night exclusive interview with Croft on LTTV.