Past Players - Ben Wood
Ben left East Thurrock at the end of the 2011/12 season after being the Club Captain for four years.
Statement from Covo (2012/13):
Ben was the second signing I made when I became manager four and a half seasons ago and he has been the best I have ever made.
As club captain he has never given anything other than his best, he has led by example and has always been in total control of himself and his abilities. He is the perfect example in my eyes of what a footballer should be.
Consequently as I started to plan for the coming season, I felt I needed to sit down with Ben and talk about the future. It was, I have no shame in admitting, one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in football to suggest to Ben that the time might have come to part company.
It was particularly difficult because not only is Ben a footballer for East Thurrock United, he is a close friend, someone whose friendship and company I hope will go on and on, regardless of football.
In fact Ben and I had two long conversations before we made the mutual decision that he wouldn’t sign for us again this season. That decision is no reflection on Ben’s ability – nor the fact that he would not have been able to hold his own against the best in the Ryman Premier, but because I needed to be fair to everyone in the squad.
This season I am asking for total commitment from players to the club and to training. We had a wonderful season last time out, one that will be very difficult to repeat or better but that is what we are striving to do.
One of the ways that we will attempt to achieve this is to strengthen even further the bond and unity between players and their fitness. This means making all our training sessions and team events. I am asking for the football club to come first!
Unfortunately Ben’s commitment to his work with the London Fire Brigade means he cannot make that commitment and he fully understood that it would be difficult for me to make exceptions. He shares my desire for this club to go forward and was honest enough to acknowledge that it has to be one rule for all and a team is not about individuals, but about everyone working together and making the same commitment.
So we have come to a parting – at least in terms of playing this season. I know Ben is mulling over what to do but I know that if he does continue playing at another club, they will be getting a very special player and I wish him nothing but the very best.
We have shared so many highs and lows and when we won the Ryman One North, to return to the Premier Division, it was very, very special for Ben and myself and I will remember for ever the emotions he and I shared when we clinched the title at Redbridge.
And then last season we reached new heights.
It was entirely fitting and proper that Ben, accompanied by his son, should lead the team out against Macclesfield in the FA Cup – the biggest game in the club’s history, because he has been, in my reign at least and probably beyond that, the best player ever to represent East Thurrock United Football Club.
I know everyone at Rookery Hill will join with me in wishing Ben all the very best for the future will also join me in welcoming him to the club at any time.
Statement from Covo (2012/13):
Ben was the second signing I made when I became manager four and a half seasons ago and he has been the best I have ever made.
As club captain he has never given anything other than his best, he has led by example and has always been in total control of himself and his abilities. He is the perfect example in my eyes of what a footballer should be.
Consequently as I started to plan for the coming season, I felt I needed to sit down with Ben and talk about the future. It was, I have no shame in admitting, one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in football to suggest to Ben that the time might have come to part company.
It was particularly difficult because not only is Ben a footballer for East Thurrock United, he is a close friend, someone whose friendship and company I hope will go on and on, regardless of football.
In fact Ben and I had two long conversations before we made the mutual decision that he wouldn’t sign for us again this season. That decision is no reflection on Ben’s ability – nor the fact that he would not have been able to hold his own against the best in the Ryman Premier, but because I needed to be fair to everyone in the squad.
This season I am asking for total commitment from players to the club and to training. We had a wonderful season last time out, one that will be very difficult to repeat or better but that is what we are striving to do.
One of the ways that we will attempt to achieve this is to strengthen even further the bond and unity between players and their fitness. This means making all our training sessions and team events. I am asking for the football club to come first!
Unfortunately Ben’s commitment to his work with the London Fire Brigade means he cannot make that commitment and he fully understood that it would be difficult for me to make exceptions. He shares my desire for this club to go forward and was honest enough to acknowledge that it has to be one rule for all and a team is not about individuals, but about everyone working together and making the same commitment.
So we have come to a parting – at least in terms of playing this season. I know Ben is mulling over what to do but I know that if he does continue playing at another club, they will be getting a very special player and I wish him nothing but the very best.
We have shared so many highs and lows and when we won the Ryman One North, to return to the Premier Division, it was very, very special for Ben and myself and I will remember for ever the emotions he and I shared when we clinched the title at Redbridge.
And then last season we reached new heights.
It was entirely fitting and proper that Ben, accompanied by his son, should lead the team out against Macclesfield in the FA Cup – the biggest game in the club’s history, because he has been, in my reign at least and probably beyond that, the best player ever to represent East Thurrock United Football Club.
I know everyone at Rookery Hill will join with me in wishing Ben all the very best for the future will also join me in welcoming him to the club at any time.
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