The talismanic star joined the club as a seven-year-old and went onto captain the side to National Three South West title glory in 2014/15, one of four promotion-winning seasons he has been a part of.

The 2014/15 season was a particularly special one for Andy, who also met his wife Annie to complete a memorable double!

Going back to the very start, he said: “I joined Rams when in 1991 – we had someone from the club visit my local primary school to raise awareness of rugby and about the club.

“My brother and I turned up at training the following Sunday morning and the rest is history.”

It was in 2002 that an 18-year-old Andy made, according to the match report, a ‘sensational debut’ as hooker in a 31-10 South West Two East victory at Olney – packing down in the front row with James Baker’s dad, Brendon.

And he recalled: “The physicality in the scrum was a little more intense than I’d been used to before!”

According to Andy’s former teammate of many years and current Director of Rugby, Seb Reynolds, he was a player capable of slotting in anywhere on the field.

Andy agreed, but said: “I have always enjoyed playing competitive first-team rugby, regardless of the position.

“That being said, I have no desire to play front row again! Inside centre or blindside flanker were always my favourite positions.”

The first of Andy’s four promotions came in the 2005/06 season, and included a rare chance to have a shot at goal with the boot.

He showed his talent from the tee with four conversions, a brace of penalties and a try in a 34-17 win against Olney, but admitted: “It was the year we didn’t have a place kicker!

“We must of used 10 different kickers that year on a week-by-week rotation, and while scoring 19 points might seem impressive, I’m afraid most of the kicks were in front of the posts.

“I’m sure the following week I had a less successful day and that was the end of my kicking responsibilities.”

He continued: “2005/06 season was my first promotion with the club. The coaching staff had implemented a youth selection strategy over the previous 18 months and I was fortunate to be one of a number of young ex-colts to be involved.

“It was equalled when we gained our second consecutive promotion the following year.”

Fast-forwarding eight years, Rams took another huge step forward by winning National Three for the first time to advance to the fourth tier of English rugby for the first time.

Andy beamed: “The 2014/15 season ranks undoubtedly as one of the most memorable.

“Being able to captain the side to promotion into National Two for the first time in the club’s history was an immensely proud moment – we had a brilliant team ethos and a great bunch of lads.

“2015 was also the year I met my now-wife Annie, so it’s extra special for me on personal as well as rugby reasons.”

Andy went on to make a small number of appearances as Rams won National Two South in 2018/19 – although he admits in more of a part-time role – and he said he has been privileged to play with some phenomenal players throughout the past two decades.

He confirmed: “There are so many to choose from. Seb, Bobby, Spike, Jez, Craig, Greg, Andy and Ben from the earlier days and more recently Stevie, Conor, Joe, Owen, Collis, Vooghty, OT, Jamar to name just a few.”

And of his favourite tries - he is fourth on the all-time list at Rams with 59, he added: “I scored one hat-trick, so it has to be the third against Bridgwater & Albion.

“We absolutely hammered them (85-0 in the last game of 2012), although there was a bit of a twist in that Robbie (Stapley) was going for top try scorer and the ball ended up with me and he was outside – but I took the try instinctively (Robbie did end as the league’s top scorer with a club record 27 tries that season!)

Having stepped back from first-team duty, Andy said the transition from player to supporter is an interesting one – and the itch to keep playing remains.

He revealed: “I’m still getting used to watching the games instead of playing. After playing first-team rugby for so long every Saturday it takes some adjusting.”

“I’m not sure the body can handle regular games anymore, but I intend to try to get a couple of Titans or perhaps Centaurs games in 2021 – if the coaching staff allow me!

“On the other hand, I will say the current team have been excellent over the last couple of years and I’m looking forward to watching some competitive rugby with a beer in hand.”

And lastly, when asked if his thoughts on the way the club has come forward since he joined, Andy concluded: “It’s exceeded all expectations. I remember attending the club AGM 15 years ago when (CEO) Gary (Reynolds) and (Chairman) Andy (Lynch) spoke of a vision to make Redingensians the best team in Berkshire.

“At the time that seemed like just a dream, but was achieved and I'm looking forward to seeing how the next five years unfold.”