Dan first started at Thurrock back in 1998 at the age of 10. Believe it or not, Dan was originally a back but soon found his calling in the front row. Dan played alongside current 1st team players Charlie Russo and Ben Stanley growing up as well as the likes of Ben Timson, Rees Collins and Dan Kemp. One of the biggest highlights for Dan as a youth player was when his age group won the Essex Colts cup in 2007 having lost 2 previous finals.

Alongside alot of that Colts team, Dan would go onto make his 1st XV debut in 2007 as the young team were relegated from London one North with an average age of 20. Dan would prove to become one of the leaders of this young side as his ferocious personality helped to drive the team to stability in London 2 North East in the 2008-2009 season.

Dan would play a pivotal part in the side that dominated London 2 North East in the 2009-2010 season when they gained promotion winning every game but 1 as well as winning the Essex Cup.

During the 2010-2011 season, Dan would go travelling to Australia for the best part of a year before returning half way through the golden season of 2011-2013 as T's won promotion again, this time to the National leagues. He played a key part in the title run in and was apart of the side that recorded one of Thurrocks biggest winning victories, a 104-0 victory over Chingford.

The next few seasons in National League 3 were tough for T's but Dan again stood out for his leadership qualities aswell as his ability to out scrummage players double his size.

Speaking to Dan about his Thurrock career, he had the following to say:

"Two massive highs for me were eventually winning the Essex cup as colts and the season we gained promotion to London 1. (I think we also won the Essex cup that year too?). One of the toughest seasons was when we were struggling in National 3 but I must say, the lads that season really stuck it out and that took a lot of character. What i've enjoyed the most is the time i've spent with all the lads on and off the field plus the lifelong friends that i've made."

Dan has continued to develop his game and has recently added a deft kicking game to go with his outstanding work rate and ability in the set piece. With over 150 appearances for T's and still only 30, Dan surely has plenty more games left in the tank. Congratulations Dan on an outstanding Thurrock career so far and good luck for the rest of it.

#oneclub