"There were all those other years he wasn't and even when JB was paid it was a mere pittance and certainly not an amount that reflected the huge contribution he has made since he was a young man," McGifford said.
By his own admission, Phillips said it came down to a toss up between becoming an ice cream maker or going into journalism led him into joining the staff of the Wanganui Chronicle as a cadet reporter in 1957.
"It was a choice I have never regretted, providing me with a life time of enjoyable employment, covering every imaginable sporting activity plus numerous overseas trips for international events," Phillips said.
However, rugby has been his passion.
His involvement with the union includes - Unofficial statistician (since 1957), club rugby administrator (2004-2015 including two terms as acting CEO), secretary Council of Clubs (2004-2015), secretary 125th Jubilee and writer of jubilee book (2012), Spriggens Park ground announcer (1968-2014), delegate to NZRU AGM's, judicial committed member, attended WRFU management committee meetings as a media representative (more than 30 years), media PR officer (since 2004).
His unofficial work throughout the years has made him the go-to-guy for statistics and documenting Wanganui rugby history which he maintains to this day.
JB Phillips is an institution and has a record of every Wanganui senior rep player since 1888, the games they played, every rep match result and he provides details to the NZ Rugby Almanac, details to WRFU annual reports, copy for rep and club programmes and weekly results to national a local media.
Of all the more than 600 matches Wanganui has played since he first entered journalism there were five that stood out in his memory, but his favourite was of course the 12-6 win by the 1966 combined Wanganui-King Country team, skippered by Colin Meads, over the British Lions at Spriggens Park, holds top billing.
"That was the game of a life time."
Phillips has visited every major playing fields in the country and during his time as a journalist or Media PR consultant watched international games at most South African, British Isles and Australian test venues.
Phillips thanked all Wanganui clubs and officials for their help and co-operation over the years and also his family, especially his wife Yvonne (Poppy) for her tolerance to enable him to spend so much time away from home during his working years.
Now into his 80th year and with reduced mobility JB is winding down his long involvement with sport and thanks Wanganui Rugby for the surprise but greatly appreciated union life membership honour.
