PRESTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Yuki Ohashi of Blackburn Rovers inspects the pitch prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston North End FC and Blackburn Rovers FC at Deepdale on September 22, 2024 in Preston, England. (Photo by Gary Oakley/Getty Images)
Phil Jones reflects on rapid rise at Blackburn Rovers.
Former Rovers youngster Phil Jones has reflected on his “incredible” time at Ewood Park and why it meant a lot.
Jones progressed through the club’s Academy ranks and broke into the first-team picture during the 2009/10 season.
It didn’t take long for the versatile defender to become a regular starter and he was snapped up by Manchester United in the summer of 2011 after catching Sir Alex Ferguson’s eye.
“Playing for my boyhood club Blackburn was the best thing that could have ever happened to me,” he said during an appearance on the High Performance Podcast.
“My dad used to carry me over turnstiles, sit there at half time with a cup of tea and a biscuit and watch all the players.
“To think I would make my debut for Blackburn was incredible and to obviously go onto play for United and have a career there.
“I maybe didn’t play as many games as I would have liked, and everyone is aware of that, but I do look back and think I am proud of myself, where I have come from and who I am today.”
Jones’ performances in East Lancashire caught the attention of the big boys and he had plenty of suitors.
Only a couple of years into his senior career, the youngster was suddenly having conversations with some of the biggest names in the game.
“I had played really well for Blackburn,” he recalled. “I was playing in midfield at the time, just a young kid loving playing football for his boyhood club and enjoying every minute of it.
“No fear, no pressure, just putting on the shirt. I remember playing for Blackburn then coming home and playing five-a-side!
“That was the feeling I had. I knew my time at Blackburn was coming to an end and there were a lot of clubs sniffing around – Chelsea, Arsenal.
“I met with Arsene Wenger, David Moyes, a few representatives from City, Harry Redknapp rang me. I was fortunate, I had a whole host of clubs and could have chosen any one.”
However, it only took one meeting with Ferguson and Jones’ mind was made up over a move to Old Trafford.
“It was just crazy. You are in your own bubble as a kid and to hear the voices of these people, I was so nervous,” he continued.
“I met with Kenny Dalglish at his house in Liverpool. The only club who didn’t ring me or speak to me was Manchester United.
“I was in Dubai with my wife and an unknown number rang me. I never answer those but it rang again.
“I answered it, half asleep, and it was Sir Alex. I shot out of bed and my wife is saying, ‘What is going on?’
“He said he would love to have me at the club, he had been watching me and knew everything about me.”
The 32-year-old went on to have plenty of success at Old Trafford, winning the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
However, his game time became limited as his United career went on due to a run of bad injury luck.
Last year, Jones revealed that he had begun working on his coaching badges in preparation for his next chapter in football.
“It has been a sort of whirlwind of a career,” he said. “It didn’t end the way I wanted it to end, it was difficult towards the latter stages of my career.
“But I am doing fine, mentally and physically I am good. I am looking forward to the future, I am positive about it.”
