Homegrown Ipswich Town talent never really recovered from disaster debut: View | OneFootball

Tom Eastman is a Colchester United legend after a 12-year spell with the club, and the U's may just have an Ipswich Town red card to thank for that.

Central defender Eastman came through the Tractor Boys' academy after joining as an eight-year-old, and he was handed his first-team debut at the club by Roy Keane on the final day of the 2009/10 season as Ipswich hosted Sheffield United.

However, it was a disastrous debut for Eastman, and he was sent off after receiving two yellow cards as his side fell to a painful 3-0 home defeat to the Blades.

This set the tone for Eastman's career with the Tractor Boys, and his career at Ipswich never really recovered, much to the joy of nearby Colchester.

Tom Eastman's Ipswich Town career started in the worst way possible

After sitting on the bench for four league games towards the end of the 2009/10 season, Ipswich boss at the time, Roy Keane, gave Eastman the opportunity to start their final game of the season with nothing left to play for.

Eastman had been with the club since he was eight, so it was obviously a huge moment for him, but unfortunately, it'll be remembered for him receiving a red card and a heavy defeat.

Despite this, Roy Keane was full of support for Eastman in the aftermath, saying: "I thought it was harsh. For the second booking he definitely got a touch on the ball. I really think the referee should have given the boy the benefit of the doubt.

"It looked to me like he couldn’t wait to send him off, rather than having a quick word with him. I was disappointed for the player because I don’t think he deserved it."

Keane certainly didn't hold a grudge against Eastman, and gave him further opportunities the following season, but he never truly broke through like many at Portman Road would have hoped.

Eastman made a further 12 appearances for the Tractor Boys during the 2010/11 season, making eight league starts, before he turned down the offer of a sixth-month contract extension in favour of signing a two-year deal with League One side Colchester United.

It was a shame for Eastman that he was sent off in his very first appearance for the club, but he had enough opportunities during the 2010/11 season to stake a claim for a first-team spot, but seemed to fall out of favour under Paul Jewell, and the move to Colchester gave him more first-team opportunities.

Tom Eastman became a Colchester United legend

After moving to Colchester United in the summer of 2011, Eastman would make an incredible 464 appearances for the U's, certifying his status as a club legend, before he moved onto pastures new in 2023.

The writing was on his wall for his future at Colchester when he was loaned to Harrogate Town during the second-half of the 2022/23 season, and he was released upon the expiration of his contract that summer.

Harrogate wanted to sign Eastman on a permanent basis, but he turned down a move to Yorkshire and signed with National League side Dagenham & Redbridge as he wanted to remain closer to home.

He signed a two-year deal with the National League side in the summer of 2023, and impressed during his first season at the club, playing 33 games and scoring four goals.

Eastman's time at Ipswich was a long time ago now, and on reflection, it was a fantastic achievement to make his first-team debut for the club after joining them as an eight-year-old.

Colchester may just be thankful that Eastman was sent off in his first game for the Tractor Boys, as they picked up a modern-day legend.