28 Facts About Tom Eastman

Tom Eastman is a product of the Ipswich Town Academy, where he progressed through the ranks since the age of eight before making his first-team debut in 2010, a match in which he was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Tom Eastman has made over 300 league appearances for the Essex club.

Tom Eastman grew up on the same street as former Ipswich Town and Leeds United footballer Ian Westlake, and followed in Westlake's footsteps by joining Ipswich's Academy in 2000 at the age of eight.

At the age of 16, Tom Eastman was offered a two-year apprenticeship with the club in February 2008.

Tom Eastman was an unused substitute for the Ipswich first-team matches against Nottingham Forest and Derby County in April 2010, before being offered a professional contract by the club.

Tom Eastman was sent off by referee Andy D'Urso after bookings from fouls on Nyron Nosworthy and Matthew Lowton just before the hour mark.

Tom Eastman scored two goals in 23 reserve appearances, and three goals in 28 under-18 appearances during the season.

Tom Eastman ended the season with 12 appearances for the first team in all competitions, with one goal in 16 reserve appearances.

Tom Eastman rejected the offer of a six-month contract from Ipswich and instead decided to join local rivals Colchester United on a two-year deal on 19 May 2011 on a free transfer.

Tom Eastman returned to the U's following injuries to regular centre-backs Pat Baldwin and Matt Heath, and Magnus Okuonghae suspended.

However, Tom Eastman did not retain his place in the first-team, with the returning Magnus Okuonghae replacing him in the heart of the defence.

Manager John Ward then confirmed that Tom Eastman would keep his place in the starting line-up on the back of his impressive performance and with Matt Heath still sidelined through injury.

Tom Eastman ended the season with 33 appearances and three goals in all competitions for Colchester.

Tom Eastman set himself the target of continuing to hold down a regular starting position in Joe Dunne's squad, despite strong competition for places in the team.

Tom Eastman made a total of 32 first-team appearances across the season.

Tom Eastman made his comeback for the Development Squad for a friendly against Watford.

Tom Eastman made 39 first-team appearances despite sitting a number of matches out with injury.

Tom Eastman signed a new contract with the club on 16 October to see him through to the summer of 2016.

Eastman's performances throughout January 2015 earned him a nomination for the League One "Player of the Month" award, alongside Dele Alli, Andy Butler and Tom Hopper, with manager Tony Humes saying that it was a "great accolade for him [Eastman] that he's been nominated".

Tom Eastman was an ever-present member of the squad throughout the season, having played every league and cup match.

Tom Eastman achieved this by playing alongside 12 different central defence partners following Magnus Okuonghae's season-ending injury, including Okuonghae, Frankie Kent, Karleigh Osborne, Bongani Khumalo, Kaspars Gorkss, Alex Wynter, Will Packwood, Jamie Harney, Alex Gilbey, David Wright, Cole Kpekawa and Sean Clohessy.

Tom Eastman returned to play, but was substituted for Matthew Briggs after 21-minutes.

Tom Eastman completed the campaign with three goals in 38 matches.

Tom Eastman signed a two-year contract extension with Colchester in June 2019.

Tom Eastman was named Colchester United's Player of the Year for a fourth time, surpassing Mike Walker's record of three awards.

Tom Eastman collected the Players' Player of the Year award as well as the Supporters Association Home and Away Player of the Year awards.

Tom Eastman made 47 appearances scoring three goals across the season as the U's faltered in the League Two play-offs.

On 26 January 2023, Tom Eastman joined fellow League Two side Harrogate Town on loan until the end of the season.