FROM the Unibond League to the World Student Games in Beijing, this is the incredible footballing life of striker Phil Denney, who now plays his football in the rugged surroundings of Ashton, writes GARY MURPHY.

Phil represented Great Britain in the Games, as the Brits progressed to the quarter-finals, only to be knocked out by eventual winners Japan, and what a way it was to go out, 8-7 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Britain managed to reach the quarters by finishing second in an extremely tough group involving Mexico, China and the mighty Brazil.

In the China game, 20,000 partizan fans turned up to see the Chinese triumph 2-0. Britain went on to beat Mexico 1-0 and were also on the receiving end of a three goal reverse against the Brazilians.

These results were enough to send Britain into the quarters before the devastating spot-kick set back.

Striker Phil played in three of the matches, but disappointingly for him, failed to get on the scoresheet. But for Phil, the whole experience seemed to take his breath away.

"Obviously it was disappointing not to get on the scoresheet, but it was just one of those things. Just to play infront of those sort of crowds really was something else."

After the Games, Phil signed on for Ashton Utd after being part of the Bradford Park Avenue side that won the Unibond 1st Division. He also spent a year with former Park Avenue keeper Paddy Kenney at Kenny's current club Bury, and of course the Bury No.1 spent some time at Bradford before his move to Gigg Lane.

Watch out for Phil Denney's striking prowess as Ashton bid for a successful season in the Unibond 1st Division.