Getting to know...
Ashley Phillips

Who do you like to sit next to most when travelling to away games?

"We tend to have our own seats on the bus and stick with them each journey. I’ve got Brennan Johnson next to me with Brandon Austin and Ben Davies to the left of me."

Who knows you best?

"Out of everybody, it would have to be my mum, but in terms of here at Spurs, it would probably be Alfie Dorrington and Jamie Donley, who I’ve known from before coming here through the England youth teams."

Who is the best dancer at the club?

"From watching some of the celebrations I would have to say Madders, but I reckon I could give him a game!"

Who would you most like to meet?

"My idol growing up was Rio Ferdinand, so if I could meet one person it would be him. I want to base my game on him because I think he was one of the top Premier League defenders of all-time."

Where did you make your professional debut?

"At Ewood Park for Blackburn Rovers against Hartlepool in a Carabao Cup first round tie. I won man of the match as well so it was a great occasion for me and one that I’ll always remember."

Where is a place that feels like home to you?

"I’d say the Training Centre because I spend a lot of my time there and also, it feels like a big family here with the lads and all the coaching staff. It’s great that it feels like that so soon for me because coming down from up north at such a young age was a big move. I’ve settled in quickly and you should be able to at a place like this with all the facilities we have."

Where do you go when you need to relax?

Probably to my games room! I’ve got a PS5 there so I’ll go and play a bit of FIFA and NBA2K to relax and take my mind of things.

Where is your favourite restaurant?

"It would just be Nando’s. If I can find a Nando’s, I’m always happy - half chicken, chips, rice, hot sauce, you can’t go wrong!"

How do you overcome personal setbacks in your career?

"Setbacks are always going to happen and it’s important to try to learn from them. Also, ask people around you what you could do better, take their advice and move forward from there."

How many pets do you have?

"I had a cat last year when I was up in Manchester but unfortunately he died."

How many superstitions do you have, if any?

"I always put my left boot on first, then my right one. That’s the only superstition I have really, something I’ve always done."

How do you spend any free time that you get?

"I like to spend it with my family if I get time to go back up north, go out with them to restaurants, walks, just relaxing stuff like that."

What was the last concert you went to?

"I’ve not been to one for a long time. When I was about 10, I went to one called The Big Reunion with the likes of Blue and Five at Manchester Arena, that was probably the last one I went to."

What are your favourite childhood memories?

"Probably going to watch my local team Manchester United, I used to enjoy going to watch them with my stepdad."

What frustrates you the most?

"Messy places! Everything has got to be clean and tidy, I can’t deal with a messy kitchen or messy bedroom, I’d have to clean it up."

What is your guilty pleasure?

"I do like a fizzy drink now and again!"

When did you realise you might make it as a footballer?

"I always hoped I would when I was younger, but I’d probably say when I was about 15 and I made my debut for Blackburn’s Under-21s. That was when I thought to myself ‘I’ve got a right chance here.’ From there I kept pushing, working hard, made my senior debut at 17 but knew that was just the start, there was a long way to go. Then I came to Tottenham, a fresh beginning, and it’s now about pushing on again and getting into the first team."

When did you last go to the cinema?

"Maybe about a year ago, I think it was to see the latest The Conjuring film?"

When does your alarm go off in the morning?

"At 7.40am, giving me about 20 minutes to wake up and then I shower, get changed and leave to get to the Training Centre for about quarter to nine."

When did you last cook and what was it?

"Just the other night, I made a nice pasta with salmon and teriyaki sauce! I do fancy myself as a cook, I’ve had to learn quickly being on my own but I do enjoy it because I like to be independent and be able to do stuff like that myself. The only thing I can’t stand is the mess afterwards!"