Career
McPhillips was reserve goalkeeper for Newcastle and spent eight years at the club He had very little luck keeping down a first team place. McPhillips replaced Albert McInroy in the 1933/34 seasion when he sustained an injury in a 2–0 defeat at Portsmouth on 30 December 1933, which put him out for the rest of the season.
Newcastle"s form then declined and they ended the 1933-1934 season being relegated to the Second Division. he had brief spells with Guildford City, Bradford City and he guested for Hartlepool United during World World War World War II