Tom Eastman will walk into the away dressing room at the JobServe Community Stadium for the first time this week, returning to face Colchester United with Maldon & Tiptree in the BBC Essex Senior Cup. The defender, who made over 450 appearances for the U's between 2011 and 2023, is a three-time Player of the Year and the club's seventh-highest appearance maker.

"It's going to be a bit different walking into the away changing room," Eastman said. He acknowledged the significance of a career few players enjoy, having been a local boy playing for his local team. "Not many players get to play that many games and I feel lucky to be one of few to do that," he added. Eastman said he has great memories from his time at the club, believing the highs outweighed the lows.

His current chapter with Maldon & Tiptree

Now 34, Eastman is still relishing his football with Maldon & Tiptree. "I'm still loving my football," he stated, confirming he feels quite fit and hopes to carry on for a couple more years. He admitted this season has been a tough start for his new side, with many changes in players and management, but he hopes they can improve and push higher up the league. Last season's enjoyable campaign, where the team won the league and featured several former Colchester players, is a benchmark.

Keeping tabs on Colchester's progress

Eastman remains closely connected to his old club, keeping in touch with former teammates like Freddie Sears, Drey Wright, Tom Lapslie, and Sam Walker. He said he always looks out for Colchester's results every week. With the Cowleys now in charge, he believes anything is possible for a side currently 19th in the standings after a challenging start. The U's have taken 10 points from their first nine games, with their next League Two match at home to Exeter City. Eastman noted the team's recent form has been more positive, with two wins and a draw in their last four league outings, and he hopes they will be pushing come the end of the year.

Eastman reflected that he may only realise how lucky he was once he stops playing. For now, he has no plans to hang up his boots and is looking forward to seeing familiar faces and fans on his return. His final thought was on Maldon & Tiptree's ambitions: he hopes they can improve and push higher up the league.

This story first appeared at BBC Essex