30 years ago today Phillip Thomas Adkins came into the world and made us a Mummy and a Daddy.
I can still remember the life changing experience to this day. It was a Saturday morning and I was playing for Wigan Athletic in the afternoon. My wife Angie had carried Phill for 9 months before delivering our first child. Angie I love you. The pain you went through in labour to bring Phill into our lives speaks volumes of your character and the support you have provided us as a family.
A proud Dad with his new born Son 30 years ago.
Yes it’s a special day to celebrate Phills 30th Birthday. Unfortunately unlike 30 years ago when we were able to hold him, today due to the Coronavirus lockdown, we are unable to do this. Phill lives in his apartment in Wimbledon. Phill, when we do meet up again in the future you’re going to get the biggest hug we’ve ever had. Whenever we meet up we always embrace with a hug, and we are missing it.
Phillip you have made us so proud of you. You are a good person, a good bloke. A real team player. Son you have demonstrated so many strong values over the years. your enthusiasm is inspirational. Your resilience to bounce back from adversity has provided positive memories for us. Son you fill us with pride every time we think of you or talk about you. We are so proud to call you our Son. We love you.
From the day you were born you have filled our lives with love and laughter. We have a zillion stories to go with the memories. For this we thank you.
Moving from the Wirral where you were born, to Scunthorpe at the age of 6, provided the first change in your life. It’s fair to say at School you could day dream, however once you started secondary School and had your first PE lesson, which was rugby, things changed. “Dad I want to play rugby” “Ok Son, let’s go”.
I took Phill down to Scunthorpe Rugby Club and it’s one of the best decisions we’ve ever done. As a Dad I would recommend rugby for young boys and girls.
Soaring high with his development as a young man playing for Scunthorpe Rugby Club.
Phill had a belonging to a club and to his teammates. A physical sport where camaraderie grew. I was the Physiotherapist at Scunthorpe United and loved watching Phill train and play. It provided Phill with a platform to develop into the good young man he is with values and principles he has taken with him.
Phill was excelling in his rugby and represented Lincolnshire County. A car crash on the way to a game v Nottinghamshire resulted in Phill not being able to play rugby for over a year. Phills resilience to deal with this set back grew strong. Although he couldn’t train or play he would still turn up for games and support his teammates as the waterboy.
Going to Scunthorpe Rugby Club and having a passion for the sport really helped Phill to focus on his school work. Son we are really proud of the hard work and effort you put in to achieve your grades and awards.
When I was offered the opportunity to take over as the Manager of Scunthorpe United, we sat around the dinner table as we always liked to do, I said to our 2 sons that if I were to take on the role it would mean that I would not be able to take you as much to training and games due to the work commitments of the position. I remember this vividly. Phill very maturely said “Dad you’ve always been here for us and we will always be here to support you. Take the job we are right behind you”. Speaks volumes of the man he is.
Maturing as a real team player and as an inspirational young man, even if he has a pink flash in his hair.
Following a couple of years at College, Phill went to University in Leeds and graduated with a Degree in Sport and Exercise Science.
Phills first taste of coaching at elite level sport came when he helped at Leeds Carnegie Rugby Academy under the excellent supervision of John Noonan. This provided a platform to put academia into practice. Several of those young players are now playing at the top level of the game.
Phill also gained valuable experience in Welsh Hockey and with the British Ski and Snowboard team, spending time in Austria in preparation for the Winter Olympics.
Phill you have adapted to the many changes in your life with gusto and drive to be the best you can be in whatever you’re doing. Moving to Winchester to be with us was great and to share the experiences of the successful promotions at Southampton. You are a real people person and turning your hand to become a Barista for that short spell was inspired thinking from you.
Phill eventually moved to Reading FC in the Championship of the EFL where he stayed for several years. Starting as the Academy U21 Strength and Conditioning Coach, Phill worked closely with Coach Martin Kuhl and the young players. The team won the Premier League Cup, a proud and fantastic achievement for Eamonn Dolans Academy. Many of the players have gone on to play in the EFL and the Premier League and Phill should be proud of the part he played in helping them with their development.
PA the Strength and Conditioning Coach at Reading FC
Stepping forward with enthusiasm, Phill and his new business @mushtomuscle
Phill moved to the first team at Reading and worked under several Managers, all of whom I’ve spoken with and they speak very highly of his contribution and enthusiasm for the team. I have also spoken with many of the players that Phill has worked with and again they speak very highly of him, which as a Father, makes me very proud.
Phillip has now decided to start his own business called @mushtomuscle. I’ve found Phills advice and attention to detail rewarding. He certainly keeps me on my toes. The isolated warrior spirit he has during lockdown is inspirational.
A good Brother, here looking after Nicholas
Phill’s passionate about what he does. He cares, he’s enthusiastic, he’s knowledgeable, he has high standards and good values. He’s a good person, a good Brother, a good Grandson and a good Son.
Phill looking like 007 and making us proud parents at the best beginnings 10th Anniversary Dinner at the The Guildhall London.
So all in all the achievements and many lives you’ve touched and enhanced, the belly laughs we’ve shared as a family, the numerous games of rugby and football we’ve been to watch, have been eventful and enjoyable. Although we can’t be together on this special milestone Birthday, we have written this to tell you how proud we are of you, how much we miss you and love you. Looking forward to the next big hug, family song, a dance and a climb up Sunshine Mountain together.
Happy 30th Birthday Son
Love Mum and Dad xxxx