Pop was born and brought up in Melbourne, attending the Infant then Junior Schools before venturing over the bridge to Chellaston School. He was introduced to rugby and was one of the founder players in Dave Bonner’s first Mini and Junior Squads, alongside such other luminaries as Will Judge, Will Lucas and Keir Biggins.

Keir, Judgy and Pop played together right through the age groups and continued at Derby Colts together as Melbourne couldn’t produce a Colts Team at that stage of the Club’s Development. Look at the flourishing Academy now!!!

After leaving school Pop went to Rolls Royce as an Engineering apprentice and remained there for 10 years. This was followed by a stint at Olympus Engineering at Stoke-on-Trent and now Pop works as a Technical Support Engineer for Matrix Tooling Services.

Pop is famous for his annual stint as one of Santa’s helpers on the MRFC Sleigh collecting for Charities around the streets of Melbourne. Santa couldn’t wish for a cheerier helper.

First Team Captain and Player’s Player in the past, Pop is still enjoying full on social rugby with Melbourne. I make that 32 years playing for Melbourne, and still looking good.

1. First position you played in rugby
Hooker
2. Worst injury
Broken ankle (Will Lucas)
3. Best player you played with at MRFC or elsewhere
Keir Biggins
4. Best person for post-match drinks, fun and frolics
Nigel Breakwell
5. What should your nickname be
Pop, Gaz, Jelly Baby, Windsock
6. What bad habit do you have
Too Many Post-match Drinks
7. Your sporting hero
Carl Fogarty
8. Your non-sporting hero
My Dad
9. Favourite food/meal
Rack of Lamb
10. Favourite TV programme/film
Only Fools And Horses
11. Favourite book
Mr Nice
12. Who dead or alive would you like to have a conversation with
My Grandma Jean Spare
13. You can take either a book, music or a tool to a desert island. Which, and what would it be
Music any Indie/rock Stone Roses, Oasis, Blur, Pulp and Shed 7
14. Dream job
Lottery Winner
15. Tell me something about you that no one knows
I received a letter of commendation from the Queens Representative for helping an elderly man who had collapsed after having a medical episode.
16. A phrase that reflects your life
It was a joke!
17. What sport do you wish you’d tried
American Football
18. Who would you like to see interviewed for this article
Will Judge

19. Your wish for the future of MRFC
For the club to keep progressing as it has for its first 40 years and go from strength to strength pushing people’s perception of “The Little Pub Team” Melbourne RFC

20. Your Melbourne Dream Team of players past and present

1) Pete Burchell
2) Matt Smith
3) Ben Rosamand
4) Will Judge
5) Keith Bonner
6) Paul Macer
7) Keir Biggins
8) Ian Lucas
9) Jake Oxspring
10) Euan Holden
11) Ash Stringer
12) Dean Sylvester
13) Big Watty
14) Jack Pearce
15) Theo
16) Roger Lucas
17) Devon Iliffe
18) Rob Foster