Phil Purnell

Phil Purnell is a former professional footballer who spent the majority of his career with Bristol Rovers. Before turning professional in 1985, Purnell played for West Country non-league sides Forest Green Rovers, Frome Town and Mangotsfield United, until signing for Bristol Rovers in September 1985. He went on to make 153 league appearances for The Pirates in a -year spell at the club, scoring twenty-two goals. He was loaned to Swansea [City A.F.C.|Swansea City] for a month in December 1991, where he played five league games and scored once.
Purnell's playing career ended when he suffered a broken leg in April 1993. He was awarded a testimonial match in the summer of 1994, when Bristol Rovers faced a Queens [Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers] side managed by former Rovers manager Gerry Francis, and featuring a number of former Bristol Rovers players.
After retiring from playing, he worked in insurance, and also continued in football on a part-time basis as assistant manager of Yate Town, where his former Rovers teammate Ian Alexander was manager, and also at Winterbourne United.