Luke Phillips, from GFC's youngest champion to coach
The Bolton News first wrote about Luke at GFC Muay Thai in 2006. He was nine years old and had just become the gym's youngest champion.
Luke won the UKTBA under-25kg Northern Area Junior title against Charlie Kelly from Gladiators gym in the Wirral. It was Luke's first decision bout and Charlie was already a champion, so it was a difficult first test over five rounds in Horwich.
All three judges gave Luke the decision by one point. Darren Phillips, then GFC's chief instructor, told the paper that he was pleased with the technical way Luke had fought, not just the result.
Billy Greenwood and Dan Bradley also won for GFC on the Horwich show. Chris Yeomans and Steve Conlon represented the gym too.
Since winning that title in 2006, Luke has won more junior titles, competed unbeaten as an adult and spent time living and training in camps in Thailand. He now coaches full-time and runs GFC with Jodie Higson, working with young fighters who are starting where he did.