He joined Bury in September 1980.[1] He played 14 times that season and was linked with a move to Bolton Wanderers that fell through due to a pelvic injury,[4] but was released and joined Stalybridge Celtic after a brief spell with Crewe Alexandra.[4] He joined Mossley in August 1982 and was voted the supporters' player of the year the following season. He remained a regular the following season until leaving to join Witton Albion following the departure of manager Bob Murphy from the club in December 1983.[1]
Phillips was assistant manager at Stalybridge Celtic, Congleton Town and Ashton United and managed coached Mid-Cheshire League sides Grove United and Bramhall before taking over as manager of Mossley in July 1997.[1] He left in November 2001 to take over as manager of Witton Albion,[5] resigning in August 2003 after Albion had lost their first three games of the season.[6]
He was later assistant manager of Leek Town (from May 2004[4] until May 2005[7]), Clitheroe (from June 2005[8]) and Witton Albion before taking over as manager of Bradford Park Avenue in March 2007.[9] He was sacked by Bradford in February 2008, despite the team being in the race for promotion.[10]
He was appointed as first-team coach, under manager Steve Burr, of Stalybridge Celtic in June 2009.[11] He was made caretaker manager of Stalybridge Celtic in January 2010 following Steve Burr's departure to take over Conference National side Kidderminster Harriers.[12] He was appointed manager of Radcliffe Borough in February 2011 by chairman Bernard Manning jnr (son of the late comic Bernard Manning).[13]
Away from football, Phillips used to run a bingo club in Hyde,[4] although he sold the club in 2005 and it closed in 2009.[14]
^"Phillips looks to old boys". NonLeagueDaily. 29 November 2001. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^"Phillips first to go". NonLeagueDaily. 26 August 2003. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^"Phillips leaves Leek". NonLeagueDaily. 18 May 2005. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^"Lawson takes Clitheroe reins". NonLeagueDaily. 28 June 2005. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^"Park Avenue go nap for Benny". NonLeagueDaily. 7 April 2007. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^"Phillips sacked by Park Avenue". NonLeagueDaily. 20 February 2008. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)