Born in Grimsby in 1968 Andy’s father was in the Navy so the early years the family lived a rather nomadic lifestyle which allowed Andy to play rugby aged 8 in Bermuda. Aged 10, Andy went to St James Choir School in Grimsby as a boarder, spending weekends with Granny. Not for a love of singing, rather the love of a shilling, Andy joined the School Choir, (not mandatory even in a Choir School), because the choristers were paid 50 pence for singing at a wedding. This went side by side with playing rugby at school.

On leaving school at 16 he joined the Navy and resumed world travel. Played rugby for the Navy, and for Grimsby when home on leave. Ten years later he left to become a firefighter with Lincolnshire Fire Brigade. Living and working in Louth with winding and narrow country lanes meant that most calls were not to fight fires, but to cut injured motorists from crumpled cars following road traffic collisions. Two years was more than enough of this unpleasant side of a firefighter’s role. His rugby was now played for Market Rasen and Louth.

Ten years as a mechanic working on British Superbikes in Motorsport saw Andy meet Gaynor who worked in Accounting for Pirelli. Since 2019 Andy has been working for DHL as a Class 1 Driving Assessor. Now living in Melbourne and not ready to hang up his boots Gaynor suggested he try Melbourne Rugby Club. He did and he’s playing still.

1. First position you played in rugby: Hooker
2. Worst injury: Fractured back when scrum collapsed

3. Best player you played with at MRFC or elsewhere: Rob Foster

4. Best person for post-match drinks, fun and frolics: Pete Dudders, Will Lucas

5. What should your nickname be: Grandad

6. What bad habit do you have: Laughing at my own jokes

7. Your sporting hero: Joe Marler

8. Your non-sporting hero: Tom Jones

9. Favourite food/meal: Chilli con carne

10. Favourite TV programme/film: The Green Mile

11. Favourite book: The Chimp Paradox

12. Who dead or alive would you like to have a conversation with: Elvis

13. You can take either a book, music or a tool to a desert island. Which, and what would it be: Tarpaulin

14. Dream job: Retirement

15. Tell me something about you that no one knows: Used to be a ruff-collared chorister

16. A phrase that reflects your life: Must open another bottle of red

17. What sport do you wish you’d tried: Hockey

18. Who would you like to see interviewed for this article: Dave Porter

19. Your wish for the future of MRFC: Keep Moving Up

20. Your Melbourne Dream Team of players past and present:

Rob Foster
Deano
Will Lucas
Pete Dudders
Sam Laban
George Shredd
Tom Bird
Porter
Patchett
J Burton
S Lowson
M Hudson
R Hurcombe
S Martin
Colin Topliss