Profile

Born locally in Moorside, Phil played for the Werneth club before switching codes and going to play for Oldham Rugby Union. His good form down at Keb Lane made the more senior clubs take notice and before his arrival at Watersheddings he had played for Broughton Park, Manchester, Loughborough College and Sale, picking up Lancashire county recognition along the way.

His debut for Oldham came in a pre-season friendly against Blackpool when he immediately endeared himself to the home fans by scorching 60 yards up the touchline for a super try. Phil is one of the few players to have scored most tries/goals in a season, three times finishing top try scorer and on four occasions being best goal kicker, although never both in the one season.

He passed the century mark of goals in 1971-72 and 1972-73. His consistency on keeping the scoreboard ticking over made him the most prolific “three-quarter” points scorer in the history of the club.

Although he played occasionally on the wing, the great majority of his games were at centre, with the Larder/Elliott wing partnership enjoying much success in what was to prove to be a most enduring and productive three-quarter pairing.

Phil has been club coach at Keighley and Sheffield Eagles, as well as a spell in charge of the Great Britain team.

In 1988 he wrote a book on Rugby League coaching methods.