East London
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This time a year ago Eddie Gooby was sitting in a coffee shop listening
to a pitch by members of East London RFC’s management committee
about the potential of the club and its vision moving forward. It didn’t
take much to persuade him to join as head coach and he has led the
maroon and blues to one of their most successful seasons ever.
“They were passionate not only
about the club, but also the players
who were pulling on the shirt and
representing East London,” said
Eddie. “Well they were right and it
has made my job a lot easier with
a brilliant group of talented men
and women who just needed some
direction. The end results have
proved us all right.”
The 1st XV has gone from strength
to strength and finished the 2018/19
campaign in second place in London
3 Essex, probably the toughest
league they have played in for many
a year.
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East London beat every team at
least once and others both home
and away, including victories over
big established clubs like Barking,
Chelmsford, Braintree, and Epping
Upper Clapton. Said Eddie: “The
wins were no mean feat, but it was
the way and style in which we won
that gave me the greatest pleasure.
“My job as head coach is to always
help the individual and the squad
to develop over the season and help
any new players settle into the club
and increase competition for a first
team shirt. I hope I achieved that
this season and can promise any
new player the same next season,
whatever level they want to play at,
be it serious or social.”
Unfortunately,
promotion
in
2018/19 was not to be. The players
gave everything in a play-off against
the runners-up in London 3 Eastern
Counties but the long trip to Holt in
Norfolk and a narrow loss means
they will be seeing familiar places
next season and have set their sights
on automatic promotion.
Said Eddie: “Watching all the players
who have trained, develop their
skills and improve individually, was
the most pleasing part of the season