Philip John Neville, popularly known as Phil Neville, is a English footballer born on January 21, 1977 in Bury, Great Manchester. He is one of many members in his family who enjoys playing sports. His father, Neville Neville, is a well-known cricketer, his brother, Gary Neville, is a footballer who captained Manchester United during the 2007-08 season, and his twin, Tracey Neville, is an English netball player. Phil Neville is married to his wife, Julie, with whom he has a son named Harvey and a daughter named Isabella. Before pursing professional football, he played cricket and appeared in several Under-15 and Under-19 teams.
Phil Neville began his international career with the England national football team and won his first cap on his 19th birthday. He also happened to play along with his brother in this 1996 match against China. After 120 years, they were the first pair of brothers to play for the winning England team at the Football Association (FA) Cup finals in the same season. Phil Neville, the youngest player in England’s national team at the 1996 European Football Championship, has also appeared in the Euro 2000 and 2004 Championships. He used to play left-back for England under the management of Kevin Keegan in 2000, but he more commonly plays midfield or full-back.
Phil Neville paired with his brother in a friendly match against Spain on February 7, 2007. The two brothers have also made a record by appearing together in a total of 142 matches and starting 31 times. Phil Neville had the prestigious opportunity to captain the team in a friendly match, and as of 2008, he has appeared in 59 matches for England.
He started his football career along with his brother as a trainee at the Manchester United Academy. He first played for the reserves, eventually moved up to the first-team, and finally made his senior team debut in 1994. During his time with the club, Manchester United won the FA Cup in 1999. He was also a part of the team that won the Champions Leagues 5 times in 1997, 1999-01 and 2003.
On August 4, 2005, Phil Neville moved to Everton, after signing a five year contract for more than £3.5 million. His made his first appearance for Everton in a match against Villarreal CF in the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League qualifier, where he faced his former Manchester teammate, Diego Forlan, as a rival. The following weekend, Phil Neville played his first FA Premier League game for Everton against Manchester United, which was also the first match that he played with his brother in the opposite team. In January 2007, he became the captain of Everton, after David Weir moved to the Rangers.
Phil Neville and his brother made another record of being the first siblings to face each other as the captains of their respective clubs in the Manchester United against Everton match on November 29, 2006. He scored his first goal for Everton in the 3-0 Premiership win against Newcastle United on December 30, 2006.
As of 2008, Phil Neville has earned six Premiership titles, three FA Cups and a European Cup with Manchester United.
