Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips sent special message from Wortley Football Club ahead of England's Euro 2020 campaign

Wortley Football Club have come together to send a message of good luck to former player Kalvin Phillips.
Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips in action for England. Pic: GettyLeeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips in action for England. Pic: Getty
Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips in action for England. Pic: Getty

The Leeds United midfielder has been included in England's Euro 2020 squad for this summer's delayed international tournament.

Phillips - who made history with the Whites last summer helping the club to promotion to the Premier League - joined the Elland Road academy ranks as a youngster.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Before becoming a Leeds player, Phillips used to play his junior football with Wortley where he grew up.

The now 25-year-old has left a huge impact on the next generation of players coming through and still remains closely linked to his local club.

A video, posted on the West Riding Football Association's Twitter page, saw various age groups from across the club wish Phillips well this summer for the Three Lions.

“Everybody who plays for Wortley Juniors knows Kalvin Phillips played for us,” Ian Thackray, the midfielder’s former youth coach, told the YEP last year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“No matter what the kids’ expectations in life are, they can go along and cheer him on and after the games he always goes to the front of the family stand and gives people autographs and shirts.

“He always engages with people who are from the community and he’s usually one of the last on the field.

“He’s always there. He’s just a nice guy. His whole family are. I think Kalvin is the fourth professional that has passed through Wortley over the years but he’s the only one who people recognise.

“At Elland Road I sit next to two guys with their children and the little ones are only about eight or nine, but they’re just mad on Kalvin.

“They’re from Colton Juniors so it doesn’t just fit for us at Wortley. It fits for all the junior teams across the city of Leeds."