Leeds Rhinos salute James Milner after former Leeds United man breaks Premier League record
Leeds Rhinos and Leeds Rhinos Foundation have congratulated record-breaking local hero James Milner.
The 40-year-old Leeds-born star set a new Premier League appearance record when played his 654th game in the competition, starting for Brighton & Hove Albion in their 2-0 win at Brentford on Saturday. Milner’s career began 24 years ago with Leeds United.
Through the James Milner Foundation he has supported the work of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation by donating more than £100,000 to help various projects in his home city. Rhinos Foundation chief executive Bob Bowman said: “James was first introduced to the Leeds Rhinos Foundation by our vice-president Kevin Sinfield back in 2018.
“Since then, through the James Milner Foundation, we have received in excess of £100,000 to support our work in Leeds, especially around the provision of sports activity camps during the school holidays. James, along with his wife Amy, and the board of trustees of his foundation, have worked tirelessly throughout the years raising money for the Leeds Rhinos Foundation and other charities important to him and for this we are hugely grateful.
“It has always been evident to ourselves that James has never forgotten his Leeds roots and has a deep awareness and understanding of the challenges facing children growing up nowadays. He is a credit to our great city and living proof of someone who embodies our purpose to change lives through the power of sport.”
Rhinos chief executive Jamie Jones-Buchanan added: “On behalf of everyone connected to Leeds Rhinos and Leeds Rhinos Foundation, I would like to send our deepest congratulations to James Milner on breaking the Premier League appearance record. I have had the privilege of meeting James on a number of occasions and I think he is an incredible ambassador for the city of Leeds.
“To have achieved what he has during his career at some of the biggest clubs in European football, as well as representing his country, while never forgetting where it all began for him, in the playing fields of Leeds, speaks volumes for his character and stature. It is fitting that he and Kevin Sinfield should both be vice- presidents of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation as they are such similar people who are tremendous role models for all our young people.”