East Grinstead Hockey Club announce new management team

East Grinstead Hockey Club Men’s 1st XI have assigned a new coaching team ahead of the 2020/21 season.
David BeckettDavid Beckett
David Beckett

They have named Tim Deakin as the new Head Coach and David Beckett as M1 Assistant Coach.

Deakin has proved his playing career at both Junior International level and the Premier League.

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He captained in the Premier League as a player before making a move to EGHC in 2013. He was a stalwart at the back and his aggressive marking and defensive ability made him tough to beat.

Tim DeakinTim Deakin
Tim Deakin

Deakin progressed as a coach in 2017 where he has since lead and assisted for Division 1 sides Oxted and Teddington. Winning the National League with Oxted at his first attempt in 2017. He is currently Director of Sport at City of London Freemen’s School and comes with a wealth of knowledge, motivation, and professionalism.

Men’s Club Captain Wes Jackson said: “We feel Tim is now ready to take the step to the Premier League and hugely positive he is the right person to drive this young and ambitious team to make a statement once again.

“We have an extremely talented side and are building the right culture we have possessed over the past 15 years at the top. We are driving forwards with a new management team in place and we will be providing the best environment possible for our playing group and coaching team, during this next phase for the club.

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“We have some tough competition from the finances of other clubs, and we are creating inventive commercial plans to compete with this, but we are positive our club culture will shine through.”

Deakin said: “I am really excited by the opportunity to come back to East Grinstead. I had a great time as a player at the club and can’t wait to take on this new role.

“It is a club with a fantastic history and I want to help in it’s ambition to get back among the top clubs in the country.”

Beckett started his Premier League playing career at Cannock HC and went on to win 2 outdoor titles and 1 indoor title for Surbiton.

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He had a spell for Berliner HC in the German Bundesliga winning the German National title in 2012. He went on to represent England /GB for both indoor and outdoor.

His coaching career started at just 22 where he coached Cannock HC Indoor from 2012-2014. He continued his success in coaching, taking Surbiton Ladies 1’s Indoor team to the Premier League in 2015. He is the current Director of Hockey at Epsom College in Surrey.

Beckett is young, ambitious, and highly motivated bringing a wealth of current playing knowledge to the coaching team.

Men’s 1st XI Manager, Mikey Holland said: “We are delighted to have David on board, he fits exactly into the mould of our plan and the player group will really respond to a young and knowledgeable coach working standing by their side.”

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Beckett said: “I am really excited with the new challenge of moving away from playing into the coaching arena at the top flight. It will be a fresh start and new challenge after 6 years playing at Surbiton which has been great fun, I’d like to thank them for many happy years.

“I am looking forward to working alongside Tim and the management team at East Grinstead. The Club has a rich history and real ambition moving forward, which makes it an exciting challenge.”

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