Some fantastic players have emerged from the Blackburn Rovers academy over the years, but one who doesn’t get enough credit is Phil Jones.
You only have to look at the success of Adam Wharton since he left Blackburn to see how impressive the youth system at Rovers has been.
Long before Wharton, though, Phil Jones was the next big thing to come from the Blackburn Rovers setup. While he may not always have enjoyed positive outings with Manchester United after his big move to Old Trafford, there’s no denying he is a glowing reference for what Rovers are capable of producing.
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So, how did he end up at Man United? Turns out he has Sam Allardyce to thank, and the fact that Jones spent a full game kicking chunks out of the United team.
Sam Allardyce prior to Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League
Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images
Sam Allardyce told Sir Alex Ferguson to watch Phil Jones
Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph about how the transfer came about and Allardyce’s influence, Jones said: “Big Sam definitely played a part in my move to Man United, or at least putting me on Sir Alex Ferguson’s radar. I was in and around Blackburn’s first team but not really playing much at the time. I was travelling as the spare man, if you like, which was a great experience for me.
“Then I was playing in the FA Youth Cup, against Man United at Ewood Park, and obviously Big Sam was quite close to Sir Alex. He told him he needed to come down and watch this lad, meaning me, and we absolutely kicked seven bells out of United that night!
“We absolutely battered them. We won 3-0 and, even at that level, that is a massive thing to beat United.”
The rest is history, as they say. Sir Alex saw enough of Jones that day to decide he would want to sign him, and the young defender joined the Red Devils for a fee of around £16.5m. Jones remains one of Blackburn’s biggest sales of all time to this day.
And, he’s still a massive fan of Rovers, too. He added: “I was back home with my wife the other day and we were talking about my time there, and it is all just surreal to be honest. I remember my dad carrying me over the turnstiles as a kid, I used to go home and away, watching the team.
“I lived and breathed Blackburn Rovers – they were, and still are, my club. To represent them was so special to me and my family. I look back with so many fond memories of Blackburn and having my own kids now, I understand more what it must have been like for my dad to see me go on and play for the team.”
Phil Jones prior to Chelsea U18 v Manchester United U18: U18 Premier League Final
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What Sir Alex Ferguson said about Phil Jones
When he first arrived at Manchester United, Jones appeared to be destined for greatness. He even had Sir Alex Ferguson making huge claims about his future, telling Sky Sports once in 2013: “Jones, arguably, the way he is looking, could be our best ever player.”
Obviously, that never came to pass. Jones had a modest career at United, won the Premier League title and a Europa League, as well as a couple of domestic trophies, but he didn’t quite have the desired impact on an individual level.
Injuries seriously harmed Jones’ career – he made 229 appearances for the Red Devils, but he also missed 204 games through injury.
Still, all that, plus 27 caps for England, off the back of 40 games for Blackburn Rovers is not bad going.