How James Milner Set the Record for Most Appearances in the Premier League

“What distinguishes James Milner? Honestly, I’m not sure where to begin,” former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp shares with ESPN. He reflects on the nine years they collaborated and the trophies they secured. “Of all the achievements we had at Liverpool, nothing would have been possible without him. That’s the reality.”

On Saturday, at the age of 40, Milner was included in the starting lineup for Brighton & Hove Albion against Brentford, marking his 654th Premier League appearance, a record previously held by Gareth Barry since 2017. “Achieving that number of appearances feels like landing on the moon. Perhaps it only happens once?” Klopp remarks.

Milner accumulated 230 of his Premier League appearances while under the guidance of the German coach. By the time Klopp assumed control of Liverpool in October 2015, Milner had already experienced enough to fulfill a career. He made his debut on November 10, 2002, at just 16 years old; endured the disappointment of being transferred from his childhood club, Leeds United; and proved skeptical managers wrong.

“He’s quite different from many individuals I’ve encountered in my career,” former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, now with Brentford, tells ESPN. “You could never break him. Regardless of how dire the situation, no matter what challenges he faced, I always believed he would respond appropriately and return stronger, return better.”

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His lengthy career includes playing against England and Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman, who is now 62. He has faced or played alongside nearly half of the players who have ever participated in the Premier League. Over his tenure with six clubs (Leeds, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool, Brighton), he has secured three Premier League titles, two FA Cups, two League Cups, one Champions League, and the Intertoto Cup.

Former manager Graeme Souness once claimed that a team of James Milners could never win anything. However, the reserved lad from Leeds, often labeled as boring and sporting the same haircut since he was three, has consistently disproven that notion. He has now established a record that is likely to endure for decades—one that no one dull or ordinary could ever claim.

“I hope that after game No. 780 or whatever he reaches, and when he retires, whatever he chooses to do next, the world will truly need individuals like him,” Klopp states. “I’m thrilled for him that he has achieved this milestone. … Being part of something eternal is genuinely special.”

But what has driven Milner to this achievement? Teammates, coaches, educators, musicians, rugby players, and a referee who have all come to know him agree: Milner is truly one of a kind.

Steady professionalism

“He is probably the most disciplined, determined, professional football player I have ever worked with.” — Klopp

Milner’s unwavering professionalism has been the foundation of his career, even before he made his mark in Leeds’ academy. In a school report, a 14-year-old Milner contemplated whether to pursue golf or soccer. His idols were Paul Gascoigne and Harry Kewell, leading him to choose soccer.

Former Premier League referee Jon Moss was Milner’s PE teacher at Westbrook Lane Primary School when Milner was 11. “I think he cried a couple of times when we lost for the school team,” Moss tells ESPN. “He was just that frustrated by it, although we didn’t lose very often.” Everton invited Milner for a trial, but it was canceled. Thus, fate led him to Leeds, which signed Milner to their academy in 1996.

Lucy Ward, a former striker and TV pundit, mentored Milner and taught him at nearby Boston Spa School in her role as head of education and welfare at Leeds just before he made his Premier League debut. “He was more mature than his teammates, and the others had good contracts, which doesn’t really help young lads focus on education,” Ward tells ESPN. “… He was committed to ensuring he made the most of himself. In 20 years—just ahead of [AFC Bournemouth midfielder] Lewis Cook—he was the best in terms of attitude, commitment, and humility.”

“If you had told me back then at 16 that he would still be playing in the Premier League at 40, I would have said, ‘Yes, I completely believe you,'” she adds. “You just knew he would leave no stone unturned in everything he did.”

Milner progressed through the England youth teams, playing alongside former Aston Villa striker Luke Moore for the under-15s and under-16s. “He had excellent fundamentals and mastered the basics of being a professional even at that young age,” Moore tells ESPN. “He was eating better than us and stretching more than us. His only vice, I think, was golf.”

Milner was promoted to the first team by the late Terry Venables, who managed England and Barcelona before concluding his managerial career at Leeds. Players at the time recall Milner arriving for training one day. “We knew all about him, of course, but when he came into training, he didn’t hold back at all,” former Leeds midfielder Eirik Bakke tells ESPN. “He just scored some unbelievable goals, and you thought, ‘Oh no,’ as you realized you had competition for places. He fit in with the group immediately, even though he looked like a schoolboy.”

After debuting off the bench against Nottingham Forest in November 2002, he netted his first goal for the club a month later at Sunderland. Simon Rix, bassist for the Kaiser Chiefs and a devoted Leeds supporter, recalls watching Milner. “He was one of our prized assets but was sent into the fields behind the training ground goals to retrieve balls, returning with cuts on his legs,” he tells ESPN. “Looking back now, I see this as a sign of the characteristics that would serve him well.”

However, by the 2003-04 season, Leeds faced financial difficulties and were relegated at the season’s end. Milner was reluctantly transferred to Newcastle. Upon leaving, he waived his loyalty bonus of approximately £150,000, as a source informed ESPN, hoping it would assist his childhood club. “He wasn’t trying to make people say, ‘Oh, well done, you. You’ve saved our club,'” Ward states. “He didn’t want to leave, but he would never have insisted, ‘No, I’m staying here.’

This professionalism and sense of integrity have guided him throughout his career. Klopp notes that at Liverpool, Milner “managed the dressing room from an organizational standpoint.” It wasn’t until Milner departed the club that the manager realized no one else understood how much players should be fined for tardiness. “We had to completely reestablish [the rules] because Milly left,” he explains.

No one who knew him early in his career is surprised by his continued presence. “He’s the most professional player I’ve ever played with,” former England U21 and Aston Villa teammate Curtis Davies tells ESPN. “His playing past 40 doesn’t surprise me at all. He’s never needed anyone to tell him to do the right thing. Professionalism is simply part of who he is.”

Unmatched fitness

“I said, ‘Milly, you are already the fittest one here, stop running.’ But he just kept going.” — Klopp

Milner’s fitness and preseason assessments are legendary in the Premier League. All of his former teammates recall how he would consistently be the last man standing in fitness tests or the one leading the demanding long-distance runs during preseason.

“He was literally the fittest man in the world when I played with him,” Davies states. “You have certain players who, once they’ve outperformed everyone else, gradually drop out. But he maximizes his effort.”

play1:35Henderson: Milner’s Premier League appearance record a remarkable achievement

Jordan Henderson asserts that James Milner deserves to break the Premier League appearance record.

It has always been this way. “Even at 11 years old, he had the physique of a much older individual,” Moss recalls. Sam Allardyce remembers Milner’s determination when he coached him at Newcastle: “There are no miraculous stories about James, other than he possesses the pure dedication of Cristiano Ronaldo in how he maintains his fitness,” he tells ESPN.

This dedication didn’t always sit well with teammates. Nedum Onuoha was part of the same England U21 squad as Milner and Davies, and played alongside Milner at Manchester City. “I mean this as a compliment, but it’s just really annoying!” Onuoha shares with ESPN, laughing at the frustrating memories. “If there’s a chart for ‘Who’s going to jump the highest in training today?’ Well, he’s going to jump to his maximum. … He gives 100% to everything, and you feel compelled to do the same.”

Longtime Manchester United winger Ashley Young played alongside Milner for Villa and England. “I remember at Villa under Martin O’Neill, he didn’t think we’d trained enough—that definitely annoyed some people,” he recalls. “Milly has lungs that just keep going. They never stop.”

Former rugby league star and current rugby union coach Kevin Sinfield has raised over £10 million for charity since retiring and became acquainted with Milner through the James Milner Foundation, which collaborates closely with the foundation at Leeds Rhinos, Sinfield’s former club. “I know some people at Brighton, and I always ask, ‘How’s James doing?'” Sinfield states. “And they tell me he’s still winning the fitness tests; he’s still setting standards and still elevating the program. That’s a significant compliment for someone of his age.”

A fierce competitive fire

“You cannot reach this level without being incredibly determined. At the start of our player-coach relationship, it was evident I needed to find a way to gain his support, as he’s so influential in many ways.” — Klopp

Davies and Onuoha recall the hydration tests from their U21 days. “Milly’s score was always the best. He was always the most hydrated,” Onuoha notes. “And you’d think, ‘Oh, what a nerd.’ He stays up and remains hydrated through the night.”

One day, Onuoha decided to outdo him, drinking water all day and night before his test. When the results were announced, he and Davies were present to witness Milner’s reaction. “You could tell by his expression that he was genuinely upset,” Davies recalls. “It was his thing.”

In his book “Ask a Footballer,” Milner stated, “I’ve always been eager to prove people wrong, eager to be the best I can, to win every match I play, to win trophies, and desperate not to lose.” Regarding Souness’ remark that a team of James Milners couldn’t win anything, back when Souness was his manager at Newcastle, Milner remarked: “It was a kick in the teeth. If anything, it motivated me.”

“I believe his motivation stems from people doubting him,” Young observes. “It’s the mentality he has always possessed—the drive to be better than anyone else and better than the day before.”

“His commitment to do everything possible to assist the team and achieve success is unmatched,” Onuoha states. “Whether it’s in the gym, getting massages beforehand, ensuring timely arrivals, reviewing video analysis of opponents, or practicing crosses and penalties.”

Henderson consistently emphasizes Milner’s significance to their success at Liverpool, noting how Milner could uplift his spirits and provide positive energy when the team needed it most. “He can really push himself into a dark place [mentally], but despite the discomfort, he continues to fight,” he explains. “You need those types of individuals in matches, who dig deep and persevere until the final moments.”

Astonishing versatility

“When you think of James, people might describe him as an honest, top professional. But I can assure you, he could do it all.” — Klopp

During the 2016-17 preseason, Milner was summoned to Klopp’s office. “I asked him, ‘Which do you prefer, right or left back?’ and he replied, ‘Neither.’ I already knew the answer as I wanted him to play left back. I asked him, but his response didn’t really matter. He was not pleased.”

Milner spent most of that season at left back and excelled, but he was undoubtedly relieved when the club signed Andy Robertson the following summer. Having begun his career as a winger, Milner transitioned to central midfield at Aston Villa in 2009-10, and once filled in at center back and played numerous matches as a false nine for City. He frequently occupied the No. 10 position throughout his career, and once Klopp shifted him to fullback, he played on both sides.

In 441 Premier League starts, Milner has played in every position on the field except for goalkeeper. Versatility can lead to underappreciation; playing in various roles without securing a fixed position makes it easier to remain unnoticed. However, Milner’s adaptability has proven to be a defining trait of his career.

“If he were told, ‘You’re going in goal,’ he would ensure to have a special session with the goalie coach, learning everything about the opposition’s crossing,” Davies states. “The highest compliment I can give him is that he was never just a fill-in. He could play anywhere on the field. That’s just who he is.”

Young, who has also played nearly every position on the pitch, adds: “That’s crucial, especially in recent years. Managers are employing various formations, so players are constantly adjusting. If you possess a good footballing mind, you can adapt to different positions.”

Klopp recalls utilizing him briefly at center back in 2020-21 during Liverpool’s injury crisis that sidelined Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Joel Matip. “Sometimes there was tension, but we had a fantastic relationship, even if he wasn’t always pleased with my decisions.”

Klopp believes Milner’s versatility has been a significant factor in his longevity. “If you are fixed to one position, it becomes clear over the years at each club that there will be a player in your position who is either as good as you or better. They’ll be younger, faster, stronger, and better in the air. Therefore, the more positions you can play, the longer your career can last.”

“… But the most crucial aspect he possesses is his overall skill set. He has everything and only displays 50% or 60% of it. Both his right and left foot are exceptional, he has good speed, he’s quick, he can dribble, and he excels in tight and expansive spaces. He has an incredible attitude and makes it clear that the flashy stuff won’t be present on matchday. From a skill set perspective, he ranks among the top five players I have worked with.”

Boring … or simply one of a kind

“If you want your vacation perfectly organized … take James. James will handle it— the driver will pick you up, the hotel will be ideal, and the rooms will be great. That’s not boring for me. That’s well-organized and perfectly structured.” — Klopp

Milner has never been one to provide a sensational interview quote or appear in tabloids. Coupled with his reputation as a model professional, being teetotal, and his straightforward demeanor, there exists a perception outside the dressing room that he is unexciting.

The Boring James Milner social media account gained popularity around seven years ago, playing on his alleged dullness. The first thing Milner addresses in his book is some myths generated about him via the account. “I believe it’s customary for a book of this nature to start with a shocking revelation, so here it is. My name is James Milner, and I’m not a Ribena-holic. I don’t really drink much tea either. I actually prefer coffee. And it gets worse: I can’t iron.” Thus, the myth that he irons his socks is dispelled. But is James Milner still boring?

Those who know him assert that the answer is no; he is exceptional. When Milner began vacationing in Spain, he became frustrated with his inability to order in Spanish, so he taught himself the language. To occupy his spare time in recent years in Brighton, with his two children settled in school up north, he learned to play the piano. “You can’t be as accomplished as him and be dull,” Allardyce remarks.

Young concurs that the notion of Milner being boring is a misconception. “He’s not [boring] at all. He’s just always occupied,” he states.

“He plays into that ‘boring James Milner’ narrative, and I think if he were genuinely boring, he’d probably be more resentful of it,” Davies observes. “But instead, he seems to embrace it. Yes, he’s been different from others throughout his career, and although he doesn’t drink, he still participates in every social event. And if the gathering ends at 4 a.m., James is there at 4 a.m.”

Milner takes immense pride in his foundation, which assists children in getting involved in sports in northern England. They have hosted gala events, with the Kaiser Chiefs performing at two of them. “They were always very well attended by past and present teammates, which I believe reflects something about his character,” bassist Rix states.

“I’ve enjoyed supporting the foundation,” Sinfield shares. “He’s done a lot of work in Leeds, and he’s a compassionate individual. He aims to help others and is a wonderful role model for athletes worldwide. I think the key message is that good individuals can succeed, and good individuals can have longevity if they take care of themselves.”

And what