David Phillips (footballer)

For other people named David Phillips, see David Phillips (disambiguation).

David Phillips

Personal information
Full name	David Owen Phillips
Height	1.78m (5ft 10in)
Position(s)	Right winger

David Owen Phillips (born 29 July 1963 in Wegberg, Germany) is a former professional and Welsh international footballer who played as a midfielder for Plymouth Argyle, Manchester City, Coventry City, Norwich City, Nottingham Forest, Huddersfield Town, Lincoln City and Stevenage Borough.

Plymouth Argyle & Manchester City

Phillips was also a member of the Plymouth team that reached the semi-final of the FA Cup in 1984, losing 1-0 to Watford. Whilst at Manchester City he featured several times on the BBC's Match of the Day programme as a Goal of the Month nominee, scoring a number of spectacular long-range goals.

Coventry City

An early signing by George Curtis & John Sillett, Phillips was a useful player to have in any squad due to his versatility, as he could play on either flank both defensively and offensively. He was probably at his peak during the 86/87 FA Cup winning season, where the team spent the entire season in the top ten. As at Manchester City, Phillips was a strong industrious midfielder that could drop back into a defensive position if need be, but it was his long range striking ability which often caught the eye. Memorable goals include a 25 yard strike during a 4-1 defeat of QPR in 86/87 and the following season, going to then champions Everton, and scoring a pile-driver, again from outside the box, in a 2-1 win at Goodison Park. His 1987 FA Cup Final appearance typified his time at the Sky Blues, industrious, hard working and fast on the counter attack. His three seasons at Coventry (86-89) coincide with some of the most stable and successful times in the clubs history.

Norwich City & Nottingham Forest

The £550,000 fee that Norwich City paid Coventry for him in 1989 was at the time a club record. He scored within three minutes of his debut for the Canaries in a 2-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday. He was part of the Norwich side that finished third in the inaugural Premiership season 1992-93, but left the club in the summer of 1993 after a contract dispute, joining Nottingham Forest. He helped Forest win promotion to the Premiership in his first season at the City Ground.

International career

He made a total of 62 international appearances for Wales between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s and scored over 60 league goals, making almost 600 appearances in a 20 year playing career from 1981 to 2001.

Honours

FA Cup Winner (1987)

FA Charity Shield (1987) Runner-Up

External links

• Career Information at ex-canaries.co.uk
• Career stats at Soccerbase
• Unofficial Dave Phillips Profile at The Forgotten Imp

Sources

• Canary Citizens by Mark Davage, John Eastwood, Kevin Platt, published by Jarrold Publishing, (2001), ISBN 0-7117-2020-7