Phil Bardsley is a full back who joined Sunderland in 2008, having previously been with Manchester United.
Phil gained an FA Youth Cup winners' medal at Old Trafford, and, like several of his contemporaries, spent time with Royal Antwerp. A tough-tackling full back who operates mainly on the right, Phil quickly established himself in the team, and his whole-hearted attitude endeared him to the fans.
He helped tighten up the defence before missing the last four games of 2007-08 with injury, but was back for the beginning of the 2008-09 season. A no-nonsense defender who leads by example, Phil has captained Sunderland on several occasions, and his first goal for them came against Nottingham Forest in a Carling Cup tie in 2008.
Phil has added to his attacking credentials by providing an increasing number of telling crosses, courtesy of a good understanding with Steed Malbranque down the right, but he operated at left back during Pascal Chimbonda's time at Sunderland.
