THURROCK Rugby Club have announced Bob Crooks as their new head coach.

The London One North club announced the appointment on the final day of the season, following a 33-3 victory over Chelmsford.

And Crooks - who has previously worked for Saracens, Bracknell, Cambridge and Exeter Chiefs - cannot wait to get started.

“As a born and bred Essex coach, the opportunity of becoming the Thurrock head coach is both a fantastic opportunity and a privilege,” said Crooks.

“I have been coaching for 27 years now and have had many fantastic experiences from the early days of the professional game.

“This includes time at Saracens in the Premiership, through the National Leagues and I have also been involved in the RFU Academy Elite Player Development process with Ivybridge Community College and the Exeter Chiefs.

“To be able to join the Thurrock family and help continue the fantastic work undertaken in the recent past is a very exciting time for 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.”

And Thurrock’s director of rugby Dean White echoed Crooks’ excitement and has backed him to be a roaring success next season.

“This is a very exciting day for the club,” said White.

“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 and I’m sure he will do a great job with our very young team.”

Thurrock ended the season sitting sixth in the standings.

But White was happy to have completed the campaign with a win against Chelmsford.

“I was happy with the win at the weekend and even more happy with our playing depth that was on show,” said White.

“We now have some very young lads coming through and this is a very exciting time for the club.”