Phil started at the Whitworth High School, on Cornet, at the age of 12 years. He had a short time at the Second Rossendale Scout Band in Bacup before joining Whitworth Vale and Healey Junior Band in 1982 on Euphonium, progressing to the Senior Band in 1983 just in time to play his first concert, which was in the National Championships of Great Britain Finals in London.
In 1986 he joined Stacksteads (Bacup) Band on Solo Euphonium. Although the Band never had any joy at the Area qualifying contest they did rather well at local contests. Phil enjoyed very much his 6 years with the Band.
In 1992, he joined the Blackburn and Darwen Band again on Solo Euphonium. The band where then in the Championship Section.
In 1994 the band won the First Section Qualifier at Blackpool and came 5th in the National Finals. Phil says that this was the most memorable time of his banding career to date. Playing the most difficult music which he had ever played. In 1995, due to work commitments he had to leave the band but after 2 years, he started helping Stacksteads out at one or two jobs and in 2001 he was asked by the Goodshaw band to help out at the Rochdale Contest. In 2002 he registered with the band and has been with the band through thick and thin.