Phil Byrne was born and bred in Salford in to a rugby mad family. Son of Phil Snr and Carole he started his Rugby League journey at Buile Hill High School and Langworthy RLFC. At the age of 16 Phil signed for Woolston Rovers where he played for a couple of years before being selected to play for Salford Red Devils Academy under Kevin Tamati.

It was here that Phil teamed up with former school mate Pete Bowden (current Woolston Rovers U7's Golds coach) and Woolston Rovers Chairman Liam Horrigan. Having starred for the Red Devils' first ever Academy Phil went back in to the amateur game with Woolston Rovers and later in his career moved on to play for Folly Lane where he was good friends with Lee Hudson (current Folly Lane U10's coach).

Phil was an immensely talented player with great ball skills and an uncanny eye for an interception. He was steeped in Rugby League and spent many an hour as a kid playing with future RL Legend Adrian Morley in the local parks in Salford and picking his all time Great Britain Team with Pete Bowden in the middle of Physics lessons.

Sadly, in his 30's Phil contracted the debilitating illness Motor Neurone Disease. For somebody who had always been so fit and active the disease was all the more cruel and in November 2016, aged just 42 Phil lost his long battle with the illness. He was a devoted husband and father and a much loved son, brother and friend. Phil touched many many people throughout his life, particularly with his bravery in the face of such a horrible illness.

His connections to both Woolston Rovers and Folly Lane and the special relationship that has been built in recent seasons between the U10s teams from both clubs has led to this memorial match being arranged for the first time this season. The Phil Byrne Memorial Shield will be presented to the winning team and we hope that this will become an annual event for these sets of lads until they reach Open Age.