Norman Phillips was the nephew of talent agent Lenny Phillips. From 1963 to 1964, Norman worked at Lenny's Manchester office, with a responsibility for finding acts and assisting Lenny's business partner Laurie Frazer at the Viaduct Sporting Club. In October of that year, Norman kept a close eye on the arrangements for a wrestling match between Stan Ogden and Ian Campbell that was to take place in the club, and again warned Charlie that the takings from the event would determine the future of his job.