Lorry driver gets award after playing 1,000 games for same Bristol rugby club

A rugby player in Bristol has clocked up his 1000th senior appearance - having played for the same club in Bedminster for more than 40 years.

Robin Tremlett joined Broad Plain rugby club aged 12 in 1982 and was promoted to the senior ranks at just 16. Now 53, the once pacy winger has converted into a forward and on Saturday wore the shirt for the Bristol-based side for a remarkable 1000th time at adult level.

The match - for the club’s 2nd XV - was against Ashby RFC’s touring side and finished in defeat. But the occasion was all about celebrating Robin’s incredible achievement as he was joined by teammates from over the decades and was presented with an engraved tankard by the RFU.

And he said he is not ready to hang up his boots just yet and is now closing in on the all-time Guinness World Record of appearances for one club.

He said: “The whole day was fantastic and meant so much to me celebrating it with all my family and friends. There were a couple of lads who turned up to watch I’d not seen since I was 17 and used to play with them.

“The club had loads of banners and posters to commemorate the day and I had to down a pint mixed with beer, Guinness and cider.”

Of the game itself, Robin scored the last try of the match in the defeat and said it was anything but a friendly.

He added: “It was one of the hardest games I played - no one went easy.”

But reflecting on his four decades as a player he said: “I just started playing as enjoyment and have never thought about giving it up. I still wake up on Saturday mornings with butterflies about playing. If I ever lose that I will give it up but I’ve still got a few years left.”

After hitting the milestone, Robin now has his sights on breaking records. Roy Evans of Banbury, UK, is currently the Guinness World Record holder having played 1,193 games of rugby union, all of which were played in the front row at tight head prop. His total includes 1,007 played for Osterley from 12 September 1950 to 29 April 1989.

Allan Robertshaw has the record of most games for one club having made 1,075 games for York, all for the 1st XV.

Robin added: “I might try and go for that record. Two and a half more seasons and I think I’ll be close. If the body says it can’t take it anymore I know it will be time to stop. It takes longer to recover from any little niggles but I’ve still got some left in me.

“In this era I don’t think anyone will ever do that again as they have raised the age of when you can start playing senior rugby.”

Robin, of Bristol, is married to Karen and has two sons Ellis, aged 24 and Alfie, aged 21. He is an HGV driver and said he never thought about playing elsewhere.

He added: “I made my senior debut in 1986 but have been there since I was 12 and never gone anywhere else. I guess I don’t like change. I did have the chance to go to other clubs at a higher standard but I just felt loyal to Broad Plain. It is the atmosphere.

“Broad Plain is like a big family. We’ve all been through highs and lows. When I first started we had three teams but at times we have struggled to get one.

“I went from the wing to playing outside centre and inside centre and was top try scorer three seasons on the trot. The only positions I haven’t played is scrum half and fly half. As I got older and a bit slower I now play anywhere in the forwards.”

Robin had been second team captain for ten years before stepping down this year and his side have enjoyed a successful season finishing joint top and securing promotion.

Of all the highlights over the years he said reaching two combination plate finals in the 90s against Thornbury and Avonmouth - both a few leagues above - rakes highly.

He added: “To be honest there has not really been a down moment. I’ve just enjoyed 40 odd years on the rugby pitch. The game has got a lot faster and you no longer have big lads just waddling around the pitch. The props are as quick as the backs these days.”

Francesco Andres, who is usually the captain of the second XV said it was an honour to pass over the armband back to Robin for his special occasion.

He added: “Robin’s been a key part of the Broad Plain rugby community for as long as I can remember. Without Robin, Broad Plain would not be in the position they are today. He is a club legend, an absolute gentleman and my captain. Thank you for everything, Mr Broad Plain.”