12:33pm Saturday 3rd May 2008
By Gordon Sharrock
JIMMY Phillips, the Bolton boy who graduated through the ranks to play more than 400 games for Wanderers, has taken charge of the club's youth development programme.
The 42-year-old former full-back has been appointed manager of the Reebok academy in succession to Chris Sulley, who left the club in March.
A respected member of the backroom staff since he retired from playing in 2000, he will continue in his role as first team coach until the end of the season.
Phillips said: "This football club is in my blood and I'm looking forward to the challenge of finding players and developing them into first team footballers.
"Having come through the youth system myself 25 years ago, I am looking forward to playing a crucial role in the club's future."
Sharples born Phillips joined Wanderers as a trainee in 1982 and made his first team debut two years later.
He made more than 100 appearances for Wanderers before he was transferred to Glasgow Rangers in 1987 and had spells at Oxford and Middlesbrough before returning to Burnden Park in 1993.
He made more than 300 appearances in his second spell, playing a key role in the promotion-winning teams of 94-95 and 96-97 that gave him the ndistinction of playing in the Premier League for the town he represented as a schoolboy.
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