Football Manager to FA Cup: Romsey Town manager set to be youngest ever

James Phillips (2nd from left) with coaching staff from Romsey Town (Source: www.romseyadvertiser.co.uk)

While the closest most 22-year olds around the world get to football management is via the immensely popular PlayStation and Xbox game, Hampshire, England’s James Phillips is a little different.He will lead Romsey Town against Fareham Town in the extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup this weekend and will become the youngest manager in the competition’s 143-year-old history. He was appointed to the post in April this year after showing early promise as assistant reserve-team manager of the team last season.

He began his career as a coach at Lyndhurst Football Club when he was barely 16. He gained his FA Level One badge through Totton College while doing a course linked to Southampton FC .

"I'm immensely proud, it's a massive achievement," Phillips told BBC Sport.

Interestingly enough, Phillips interest in coaching came through a computer game.

"I was one of those sad people after school who was sat there for hours playing Championship Manager," he said. "I always used to try and take a really small club up through the leagues.

"From a really young age that got my interest going. Now I'm doing it in real life. It's a little bit different with a bit more pressure."

The baby-faced coach beating the record of the youngest manager to win the FA Cup may be a distant dream though. The record is held by Stan Cullis, manager of Wolves when they beat Leicester in 1949

He has now completed the FA Level Two course and start his Uefa B Licence next month. This may not be the last time you’ve heard his name.