Bob comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience from Saracens, Bracknell, Cambridge and Exeter Chiefs. He will lead the senior sides for the 2017/18 season as we look to grow as a club.

Director of rugby Dean White said 'this is a very exciting day for the club, I'm very pleased that Bob has chosen to work with us. He is a fantastic coach that has been at the very top of the game, I'm sure he will do a great job with our very young team'.

Bob Crooks said ' As a born and bred Essex coach, the opportunity of becoming the Thurrock RFC Head Coach is both a fantastic opportunity and a privilege.

I have been coaching now for 27 years and have had many fantastic experiences from the Premiership at Saracens back in the early days of the professional game, through the National leagues and at the sharp end of the RFU Academy Elite Player Development process recently with Ivybridge Community College and the Exeter Chiefs.

To be able to join the Thurrock family to help continue the fantastic work undertaken over the recent past is a very exciting time for both myself and my young family, and it is one that we are looking forward to with immense excitement and pride.

The current off field set up at Oakfields is incredibly professional and the potential of the club across all areas of the playing programme for mini, youth, ladies and seniors is huge.

I sincerely hope that my years of experience combined with my passion and enthusiasm for the Head Coach role will play some small part in the realisation of this potential over the forthcoming years.