Brian “Father” Phillips was a great servant of the club and gained renowned status for his extraordinary tenureship of the Colts team.
He began managing the Colts side in the 73/74 season and was initially assisted by Der-rek Salter and subsequently others including Adrian Winter, Ian Hockey, Jim Chetland, Dave Nightingill & Denis Braddick. Brian finally boxed up his flat cap and wellies at the end of the 95/96 season, an amazing 23 seasons, with the highpoint being the cup win-ning Colts squad in 1976 captained by John Lane.
Although “retired” Brian still came to watch many of the Colts matches over the following years, fitting in spectating with his new love of bowling. It gave him great satisfaction to see further successes by the colts under the stewardship of some of his former young players with cup and league title successes under Allyn Chetland & Jon Dunbar and league title success under Gareth Hodgson.
Indeed one abiding memory is at the early days of the 2002/2003 season after watching the first 3 matches Brian predicted that the colts would win the cup. His comment were met with some disbelief and scepticism but that season eight of the colts emerged play-ing regularly for the 1stXV and at the end of the season colts skipper Matt Parson was in-deed holding aloft the county cup after beating Taunton in a cup final replay after draw-ing the first final. Brian knew !
His influence and long term contribution to the club cannot be understated. He men-tored hundreds of young players, the vast majority of whom went on to play at various senior levels for the club and many of which remain members and others involved in the operation and management of the club.
His passing is a sad loss.
WRFC send their condolences to his family and friends.