THE heart and soul of the Maidenhead pack, Allan Greene, is set to notch up an incredible milestone tomorrow (Saturday), when he makes his 600th appearance for the 1sts.
The veteran loose head prop first donned a Maidenhead shirt as a teenager, before breaking into the senior team in the early 1980s.
Since then he has been an ever-present feature in the team, through good times and bad.
Strangely, the highlight of his career came in a 40-0 defeat at the hands of the Harlequins at the Stoop, in the third round of the John Player Cup.
He explained: “The whole day was amazing.
“We didn’t disgrace ourselves at all. It was only 9-0 at half-time.”
Other highlights include winning four Berkshire Cup finals, three of which he scored in, and winning promotion back to South West 1 last season.
But while 600 appearances is an awesome achievement, the time seems to have flown by.
Greene said: “It doesn’t seem like that. It all seems to have gone so quickly.”
Asked to explain his longevity, Greene said: “I have had the odd injury, but generally I’ve been very lucky.”
This statement disguises the fact that Greene is prepared to take to the field almost regardless of his immediate state of health.
“If you have a high pain threshold you get through it. It’s not the doctor’s orders, but there you go.
“The easy option is to take a week out. I play through it and feel terrible, but at least I play.”
Unfortunately, Greene is unlikely to make many more appearances for Maidenhead, as he is hanging up his boots to join the coaching staff at the end of the season.
He said: “I still have the enthusiasm, but I have different priorities.”
Those priorities come in the shape of Joel and Isaac, his two young sons, and his wife Laura.
Greene said: “Joel is now questioning why I’m away on Saturdays.
“It’s a good question. The away games are all day, and I really miss the kids.
“And it’s not fair on Laura, who has been brilliant all this time. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without her backing and understanding.”
Greene also acknowledged the support he received from his parents, particularly his mum, who has kept a detailed record of his rugby career.
Club chief executive and 1st team coach Simon Edwards paid tribute to that career, saying: “What can I say. I pensioned him off when I gave him his 500th shirt. Now it’s 600.
“And those have been in the first team, not just in any Maidenhead shirt.
“It’s absolutely incredible. And on top of that are all his appearances for Berkshire. Then put in the training sessions. There must have been 1,200 at least. It’s a record I believe will never be broken.
“The guy eats sleeps and breathes the game.
“He rings me up late on Saturday nights or early on Sunday mornings to talk over something that went wrong on Saturday afternoon. His appetite for the game is amazing. I have never had anyone better to work with in any side I’ve coached.”
Greene’s retirement will leave a yawning hole in the Maidenhead front row, a hole which will not easily be filled.
Edwards added: “You can’t replace him. You just have to find someone else.”