FORMER Brewers player Jimmy Phillips has returned to the Pirelli Stadium in a coaching role with Burton Albion Community Trust.
He will follow in the footsteps of another former Brewers hero, Aaron Webster, who also works for BACT.
Jimmy was with the Brewers for six years as a player with the tricky winger joining the club after promotion to the Football League.
He made his debut on the first day of the 2009-10 season and scored his first goal for the Brewers against Reading in the League Cup. Phillips struggled with injuries during his later time with the Brewers but was always popular with the fans for his exciting attacking skills and whole-hearted effort on the pitch.
Jimmy is delighted to be back and is looking forward to his new role.
He said: “I will be taking one of the development teams. It works like a pyramid with Aaron taking the first team. I’m trying to learn the ropes as quickly as I can and I will be speaking to Aaron a lot so I can do the best job possible.
“It’s always nice to come back, I jumped at the chance. I enjoyed my time here as a player and I’m sure I will again.
“I came here in 2009 when I was 19, so I grew up here really and thoroughly enjoyed it. I always had a great relationship with the fans and I have had a lot of respect for the club and everyone involved.
“My last injury came at a bad time at the end of one season and then it was a transition period with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink coming in, which is one of the things in football. I came at the start of League 2 and left just before the club got to League 1 so it was the whole League 2 period I was here. Since then it has always been the first score I have checked and it has been great to see the club progressing so quickly.
“It’s nice to be wearing the Burton Albion badge again. From the managers I have previously worked for, like Gary Rowett, you pick things up so hopefully I can take all the things I have learned and pass it on and help the young lads progress.”
BACT Head of Community Matt Hancock said: “Jimmy knows the club inside and out and it’s brilliant that he is now able to pass that experience on. He will be a valuable addition to our staff and a great role model."