TOM’S GOT THE LIONS HUNGER
Eastman relishes first call-up
TOM EASTMAN was just tucking into his lunch at Dagen- ham & Redbridge’s training ground when he got the news of his first international callup.
The 32-year-old has spent his whole career in the Football League playing more than 400 times for Colchester United having come through the ranks at Ipswich Town and played in the Championship.
Now the centre-half has been picked for England C’s trip to Llanelli Town to take on Cymru C on March 19.
And he says receiving the news he’d got the nod was a proud moment.
“It’s a really pleasing and proud thing for me and my family to get the call up,” Eastman told The NLP. “Obviously I know about England C and I’d watched a couple of games but I’d not really thought about it for myself.
“I’ve spoken to a few of the other boys at Dagenham who have had a call up and they’ve all had really good experiences with it. I’m looking forward to going there and playing the game.
“I know a couple of players – I played with Myles Kenlock at Colchester and I’ve obviously played against quite a lot of them over the years and this season.
“It’s going to be good to see everyone – hopefully we can get a win for England!”
Family
Eastman joined Ben Strevens’ National League Daggers in the summer after 12 years at Colchester having finished the campaign on loan at Harrogate.
And while a permanent move to Yorkshire was an option, Eastman was keen to stay closer to home with the goal of playing regularly once again.
He’s quickly become a key part of Strevens’ side and hopes the Three Lions call-up shows the form he’s been in.
“I had a lot of good years at Colchester and last season I was at Harrogate and had a really good time – I loved it up there,” Eastman said.
“But, as I said to the gaffer at the start of the season, I wanted to stay more local for my family. Dagenham were perfect for me.
“The last couple of years at Colchester I was in and out of the team a little bit. Especially at my age, I’m 32, I want to be playing football every week. That’s what I came to Dagenham to do.
“I feel I’ve been playing well. It hopefully goes to show with an England C call-up as well that I’ve had a good start to my Dagenham career.
“It’s only been seven or eight months but I’ve really enjoyed it and hopefully that can continue.”