Rugby legends are formed from title winners to fan favourites, but not all stem from the professional game.
Here one is, crammed inside a storage room filled with the aroma of worn socks and lifelong memories.
Drybrook RFC’s Andrew Milner surpassed a monumental 500 appearances for the club in December 2025 and has no intention of hanging up his boots in the near future. However, his enduring career didn’t start off with rugby knowledge imprinted into his DNA.
“I didn’t have a clue what I was doing,” he says chuckling at his past self.
“In my first game at about 17 or 18 I had about 20-30 minutes on the wing in a local derby against Westbury. I never really played junior rugby, I was more into football.
“But over the years from training more, watching more games and talking to older guys at the club, I developed and went from wing to full-back and then to fly-half for the last 15 seasons.”
Over his career, the 40-year-old has amassed an inspiring 2,682 points for Drybrook’s three senior sides, and with that wealth of experience, comes a lifetime of memories.
Reliving his favourite Milner says: “I’ve always got one and it wasn’t a very important game,” as his eyes start to glisten as if his mind was rolling back the tape for the 10,000th time.
“We had the old merit tables for second teams. We beat Thornbury and I nailed a conversion from the touchline. I’ve also had some good cup wins along the way but that one always sticks out in my mind.”
Despite reaching the extremely impressive appearance tally, the outside-half is not the only Drybrook player to reach the milestone as teammate, friend, and usher at Milner’s wedding Tom Treherne hit 500 games in September 2024.
With Milner and Treherne just two of the many who have hit impressive milestones, what makes Drybrook so special for players to put their bodies through the pains of rugby for so long?
“It’s a massive part of me,” says Milner.
“I’ve been working as a supplier and production designer for Lucozade for nearly 20 years and that’s down to the old boys I played with getting me the job.
“My wife comes here all the time, that social aspect is massive along with the group of friends that I’ve got here within the club as well.”
“We’ve had a thriving junior section for years with boys stay on each year, then we’ve been lucky enough to pick up local lads who have come in and gone to hit some really good milestones.”
With over 20 years behind him, Milner reveals what he would do differently if he could go back to his debut.
“I’d probably practice tackling a bit,” he says jokingly.
“No, nothing. It’s been a really good journey. I wouldn’t change anything.”
Now with over 500 games played, how many more can Milner endure before he puts an end to his brilliant career?
“I still enjoy training, pre-seasons get tougher, especially when you’re trying to keep up with the youngsters.
“We’ll see how the body holds up, if the opportunity arises, I’ll carry on playing.”
