Tom Eastman’s twelve-year association with Colchester United will come to an end when his current contract expires out in June.
The stalwart defender will go down as a club legend after making 464 appearances in blue and white stripes, putting him seventh in the all-time appearances, also adding twenty-five goals to his name.
His no-nonsense footballing style made him a fan favourite; the U’s number 18 is a throwback having remained with the club through thick and thin over the twelve-year period in north Essex.
Eastman has also collected a club record four Player of the Year awards, with his name forever being synonymous with Colchester United.
Tom joined the club as a twenty-year-old, fresh-faced defender from Ipswich Town in 2011 after making a handful of appearances for the Tractor Boys.
His debut came in a 3-1 home defeat to Barnet in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy before a short spell on loan at Crawley Town; returning to the JobServe Community Stadium to make a further twenty-five outings, Eastman was awarded the Young Player of the Year award at the end of the campaign.
A regular in the team the following season, Eastman netted one of his most memorable goals in a U’s shirt. The U’s needed a win on the final day at Carlisle to stave off relegation, with Eastman popping up in the last ten minutes to secure third-tier status.
The 2013/14 season once again saw the U’s towards the foot of the League One standings, but Eastman was the standout performer in the centre of defence, picking up his first Player of the Season accolade.
Eastman made fifty-one appearances in the memorable 2014/15 campaign, including helping the club to safety with the dramatic final day win over Preston at the JobServe Community Stadium. He was named Player of the Season yet again, going back-to-back; only the second player behind Mike Walker to do so.
The defender notched up another forty-eight appearances the following season when Colchester were relegated to League Two, before picking up another end of season award in the 2017/18 campaign for forty-five appearances and three goals.
His ninth season saw him collect a record-breaking fourth Player of the Season award, as the U’s narrowly missed out on the play-off final after aggregate defeat to Exeter City – not to mention the enthralling cup run that saw the club face off against Crystal Palace, Tottenham and Manchester United.
Unfortunately, Eastman’s tenth year was played almost entirely behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, he made another forty-nine appearances, helping the team to secure their EFL status.
The following season saw another struggle at the wrong end of the table, but Tom was once again on hand to help out at the back, with another thirty-four outings.
His final season with the U’s has seen him out on loan at Harrogate Town as his place in the eleven became limited at the JobServe Community Stadium – but Eastman picked up twenty-one appearances and one goal to help his loan side to stay in the division.
Tom departs as a club legend, and certain future Hall-of-Famer.
Everyone at Colchester United would like to wish Tom the best of luck in his future endeavours.