East London
and everyone enjoyed being part of
it. One of our players, forward Rob
Yiannakou, was even called up to
play internationally for Cyprus.”
But the greatest triumph was
reserved for the final competitive
game of the season. Said Eddie: “It
was a magical day for our club, the
players, committee, supporters, and
their families. We won the Essex
Intermediate Cup against Romford
& Gidea Park who finished second
in the league above us.
“It was one hell of a performance
and I think only bettered by the
celebrations of the whole club at the
final whistle. It will live long in my
memory and in the minds of many
others. These moments are why I
coach.”
And it wasn’t the only silverware
that the club, whose home is at
Memorial Park, West Ham, won
in 2018/19. The 3rd XV, the social
rugby team known as the Thirsty
Thirds, won the Shepherd Neame
Essex Merit Table 5 Plate final with
victory over Wanstead 3s.
But Eddie says his biggest challenge
was the East London Vixens ladies,
who were women’s team of the year
in the National Rugby Awards in
2016. “The squad was rebuilding and
numbers were low and we lost our
captain for the whole season before
a tackle had been made in anger,” he
said. “But what a brilliant, fantastic
group of players they are. Their
determination and desire to learn
and adapt to a new system of play
was awesome.
“I was shocked by the standard of
the league they were playing in, in a
very good way, and I knew it would
be tough. The Vixens recruited
hard and trained even harder and
over a period of time transformed
themselves into one of the most
difficult teams to beat and played
some unbelievable rugby in a style
the men would have been proud of.
“The results started to improve and
showed that the ladies were good
enough and comfortably stayed
in their league. We look forward
to another testing but positive
season in 2019/20. We have more
rebuilding to do over the summer
and I cannot wait to be part of the
challenges ahead for the Vixens, but
the enjoyment and the memories we
have already made will mean next
season is going to be even better.”
The head coach realises there are
challenges ahead in 2019/20 both
on and off the field. He said: “The
committee needs help in raising
funds and finding sponsors so all
the players can enjoy the little extras
they receive, including coach travel
to away fixtures, a physiotherapist,
and the many other things that
just seem to happen. On the field
we will have a target on our backs.
Everyone will want to beat us. That’s
the respect all our teams justifiably
earned last season.
“I thank the East London committee
for their support, the other coaches
who have helped pitch-side and
in training, and our supporters for
turning up every week. Any new
player, male or female, moving to
the area, looking for a new club,
starting out, or just wanting to be
part of a great social set-up, will
receive a warm welcome here.”
East London RFC is just five
minutes’ walk from West Ham Tube
Station, served by Jubilee, District,
Metropolitan, Docklands Light
Railway and c2c rail services. There
are three men’s teams who train on
Tuesday and Thursday evenings,
and a ladies’ team and ladies
development programme who train
on Wednesdays. For more details
visit www.eastlondonrfc.com or
contact Eddie Gooby by email at
[email protected] or by
phone on 07511 874480.
www.rugbyclubmag.com
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