Career
Hayes
After a short spell with Crystal Palace, Phillips began his career at Athenian League side Hayes and made his debut at the age of 15 in a victorious Middlesex Charity Cup semi-final tie in April 1962. He made two further appearances towards the end of the 1961/62 season, but was robbed of the chance to play in the 1962 Middlesex Charity Cup final because of a broken thumb. He made seven appearances during the 1962/63 season, before departing the club at the end of the campaign.
Interest from Football League clubs West Bromwich Albion, Portsmouth, Leicester City and West Ham United failed to materialise into deals.
Brentford
Phillips joined Division Three side Brentford in the summer of 1963. He had a difficult start to life at Griffin Park, conceding 13 goals in his first two youth and reserve matches.
Phillips conceded two goals in the eventual 2-2 draw and it turned out to be his only appearance of the 1963/64 season. Behind new signing Chic Brodie in the pecking order, Phillips was confined to the reserve team for his early years at Brentford.
Phillips finally made his first team breakthrough in the 1966/67 season, after the club had been relegated to Division Four.
Phillips was a virtual ever-present during the campaign, making 42 appearances. He further improved his appearance tally in the 1967/68 season, making 48 appearances. Phillips" appearance-count dropped during the 1968/69 and 1969/70 seasons, with Brodie forcing his way back into the team
Phillips was an ever-present during the 1971/72 season, which saw Brentford promoted back to Division Three with a third-place finish.
The following season proved to be Phillips" last with the Bees and he departed the club in the summer of 1973, after relegation back to Division Four was confirmed. Phillips made 227 appearances during his ten years at Griffin Park and was awarded a testimonial versus an Ex-Brentford XI in October 1973, earning him £825.
Non-league football
After his release from Brentford, Phillips dropped into non-league football and joined Southern League Premier Division side Hillingdon Borough in the summer of 1973, linking up with former Brentford teammates Tommy Higginson and Eddie Reeve. He departed the club in 1978 and received a testimonial.
Phillips was offered to join a club in Pretoria, South Africa, but turned the offer down.
Phillips became goalkeeping coach at Isthmian League Premier Division side Staines Town in 1989. He departed the club in 1991 to serve as goalkeeping coach at Brentford under Philosophy Holder, leaving in 1992 after David Webb became manager. Phillips had a stint as caretaker manager at Staines Town in 1990, alongside Chris Davey and former Brentford teammate Jackie Graham.