Phil Church was a trainee with the Canaries at the beginning of the 1990s but had to share the youth team's goalkeeping spot with Nick Brown and then Andy Marshall . Born in Bridgend, Phil began his footballing career with Portsmouth but came to Norwich's attention playing for City Rangers in his home town of Southampton. Norwich offered him a trial but he opted to join Southampton instead. Released after a season with the Saints, Phil contacted Norwich for another trial and soon signed YTS forms. Whilst at Carrow Road, the Welsh FA made enquiries as to his availability to play for them

Phil didn't make the grade at Carrow Road and trialled for Stockport County in a pre-season friendly against Hallam on 30th July 1991. He then disappeared for a number of seasons until he resurfaced at West Ham working as a coach in their "club in the community scheme" for Tower Gateway. He later signed for St Albans City as cover for their injured goalkeepers but is no longer with the Martyrs. He is still with West Ham delivering their football in the community schemes in Tower Gateway.