FA Cup: Youngest manager ever to take a team sees his side lose

The FA Cup  never fails to provide a headline and this season is no different as the Preliminary round were underway this weekend.

Romsey Town manager James Phillips made FA Cup history on Saturday, with the 22-year-old believed to be the youngest-ever boss in the competition.

Phillips lead the  Wessex League Division One side against Fareham Town in the Extra Preliminary Round.

He was appointed manager of the Hampshire-based club in April and says it will be a huge honour to make FA Cup history at the weekend.

"I'm immensely proud, it's a massive achievement," Phillips told BBC Sport.

Phillips began coaching at Lyndhurst Football Club at the age of 16. He gained his FA Level One badge after doing a course linked to Southampton FC and done through Totton College.

He was offered the position of assistant reserve-team manager at Romsey Town last season before taking over the reins. Impressive runs in the Southampton Senior Cup and Hampshire Intermediate Cup followed, and in April Phillips was named first-team manager, taking over from Carl Bennett and John McFarlane.

And  on Saturday, he became the youngest manager in the history of the FA Cup, with the Football Association confirming they were unaware of anyone younger.

Unfortunately, the story din't have a totally happy ending with his side losing the tie 3-1!

For all the results of the Extra-Preliminary round see below.

http://­www.­thefa.­com/­thefacup/­results

JB