PHIL Brandreth fulfilled a career ambition by re-signing for the Jets this week.

The 6ft 3ins guard grew up in nearby Whitby in Ellesmere Port and attended all the Jets camps as a child.

While he was still at Whitby High School he signed for the Jets first team in 2003 under then head coach Paul Smith and now he has come full circle by signing for the Jets to bolster TJ Walker’s squad.

“Phil was convinced by Smith to go to the US to learn the game more when he was considering his post GCSE options,” said club spokesman Mike Devitt.

“He attended Mount Aloysius College in Pennsylvania and from 2004 until earlier this year and on his return he sought us out and asked if he could sign.

“TJ had a look at him and has added him to the squad.”

Brandreth went out and learned the game, playing a little football too and meeting players from across the world while benefiting from specialist basketball coaching.

“He has come back a noticeably changed man,” said Devitt.

“He seems to be wiser about the game too and I think he will do well. He doesn’t expect to become a superstar but he wants to play for his home-town professional basketball team.

“Phil always said he wanted to return and he has. He is the living example of what we want to achieve here.

“Here is a player who came to our training sessions and events, who showed some promise, took some advice and went to the US to study and returned to use what he has learned to benefit his local team.

“That is what we are trying to achieve.”