TOM EASTMAN

Despite holding over 400 career appearances to his name, experienced defender Tom Eastman has revealed he still wakes up every morning with a motivation to prove himself.

The 31-year-old joined Town on loan from Colchester in the January transfer window. In making the move to Yorkshire, Eastman believes this desire is something which was instilled in him from the time he spent in the Ipswich Town academy.

Words: Nickolas McInally

“Coming here, I have to make a name for myself. I have to show the manager, the players and the fans what I can do because they’ve not seen as much of me even though I have played so many games. You don’t get gifted appearances and to have played over 400 professional games is something which makes me proud. To do that you have to be on top of your game and training at a high level because otherwise, someone else will come in and take your place.”

“I joined the Ipswich academy at U9s and started to go to their games on a Saturday. At that time, they had a couple of years in the top flight so I ended up becoming an Ipswich fan. In the first year of my scholarship I was doing alright but I didn’t really think I was performing as well as I could have. Just as I entered the second year from nowhere something seemed to click. I played almost every game, I had a really good season and ended up winning academy Player of the Year.”

Working under the legendary Roy Keane, Eastman discusses the impact the former Manchester United midfielder had on him.

“Whatever he said I did. I knew I had to make a name for myself, he gave me the opportunity to be in that environment and play for the club which is a great feeling. First impressions were really important to him, even now, if you’re an academy player and you get called up to train with the first team you need to make a good first impression.”

“There were a few boys who had a bad session, and they didn’t get that opportunity again. That was definitely an added pressure but you’re training with the first team, that takes you a step closer to what you want to do so obviously you are buzzing to be there as well. You knew going up there that you had to be on it. Obviously Roy Keane was the manager, there was also experienced pros like Jonathan Walters and Damien Delaney. These were all players who drove high standards around the club.”

The central-defender admits working with characters like Walters has had a positive impact on him throughout his career.

“His work ethic rubbed off on everyone. You just couldn’t stop around him, it was a great influence for me at that time in my career because it is something I have tried to take with me moving forward. I had to mark him a few times in training and as soon as he got his arm out to stop you, you couldn’t get near him. He was a great guy to be around.”

After winning academy player of the year, the landmarks continued to fall for the Town loanee. He was then given his first team debut on the final day of the season. However, things didn’t go to plan.

“I had been on the bench a few times. I remember the first time I was included in the squad I couldn’t believe my name had been included. I was able to take a few games in from the bench and eventually I was given the opportunity to play.”

“I started the last game of the season and I ended up getting sent off. That wasn’t the best of starts but I was able to learn from my mistakes. I came back the next season determined to keep building and to keep working hard to make sure I was given more opportunities.”

However, the defender’s time with the Tractor Boys first team was short-lived and as he looks back on the beginning of his career Eastman has fond memories.

“I played at every academy level until the U18s and then even managed to get a couple of games for the first-team. It was a long road but I was really proud to have achieved what I set out to do when I joined the club at that age. It’s a massive club, I spent almost all of my childhood there and looking back I have nothing but happy memories.”

“I really enjoyed being a part of it when Roy Keane was manager. Obviously, he left the club and Paul Jewell came in. Straight away he brought back the more experienced lads who had been out of the team. I didn’t really get a look in after that.”

“At the end of that year I was offered a six-month contract, but I didn’t really think that was great security for me. I got the call from Colchester around that time, that was even closer to where I was staying, they were doing quite well in League One at that time and I decided to go there.”

With the importance of first team experience growing, the now 31-year-old revealed it was a loan opportunity to Crawley which kickstarted his career.

“At that age I needed to go out there and play games. I wasn’t straight in the team there, but I felt that I could get into the team eventually. In my first year at the club I spent more time with the club’s U23 side and I got a phone call to say Crawley would like to take me on loan. They were near the top of League Two and it was a no brainer for me to be honest.”

“I wanted to play games and going there I did that. We played Swindon on the day I arrived and we got beat but after that we went on a great run and won five games in a row. I played in every game and went back to Colchester feeling really confident. There was an injury at Colchester and I ended up playing against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough but I think my time at Crawley was a great stepping stone to make that step up. I think we lost the game but from then I played pretty much every game until the end of the season.”

“We finished just outside the play-offs that season and had a really good season. Personally, I also had a really good season, I ended up winning young player of the year and was enjoying my football. I knew when my chance came that I would need to take it and thankfully I did.”

Reflecting on his first full season of professional football, Eastman praised the influence which the club’s experienced players had on helping him to develop.

“We had a group of experienced defenders at that time. I was playing alongside one and was able to keep another out the team which was fantastic. Magnus Okuonghae was a leader and a really good guy to play alongside and learn from. It was a great test for me. Obviously at that level, eight or nine years ago the games could be quite physical and turn into a bit of a battle. I had to stand up to that and I really enjoyed the challenge of doing that. I try to take the role on now of helping team mates through games. That might be passing on information or a bit of direction but as one of the more experienced lads I want to help the team wherever I can.”

However, after 12 years with the club, Eastman decided to leave the home comforts of Col U in search of regular first team football.

After coming close to joining Harrogate Town in the past, the experienced defender believes now was the right time to don the yellow & black.

“Every footballer wants to play regularly and I wasn’t happy with just sitting on the sidelines, unfortunately I wasn’t getting into squads and I wasn’t really enjoying my football.”

“I wanted to go and prove the doubters wrong to show that I still have it and play more games. About 18 months ago I had a conversation with the gaffer about coming here but the timing wasn’t right for me because my family was still very young.”

“I felt this was the right time now. I knew the gaffer wanted me before and I really appreciate him bringing me here and giving me the opportunity to play again.”

Having featured against the club on several occasions, Eastman admits that the togetherness of the side left him feeling impressed.

“I remember playing against you guys before and I was taken aback by the energy and desire the team had. They ran all day, and we somehow nicked a win but I came away from that game impressed.

“There is a real togetherness here you can feel. Falks etc aren’t going to let anyone have a down day, every single session everyone is giving their all and I am really pleased to be a part of that.”

During his short spell with the club so far, Eastman and fellow January signing Anthony O’Connor have formed a strong bond at the heart of the defence.

Despite several strong performances, the Colchester loanee believes the best is yet to come from the pair.

“I have really enjoyed playing here. I think myself and Ants have formed a really good partnership and it’s still getting going so that is really encouraging because that can only really improve.

“However, we need to take things just one game at a time, we still have a lot of football to play and you can’t look any further than that. We have a lot of big games coming up and my thoughts are always on what I can do to help this club win games and start climbing the table.”