The football world has been saddened to learn of the passing of Ted Phillips, who provided a bright spot in a season of gloom at Kenilworth Road during a short stay in 1965.
Born in Leiston, Ted joined his local club Ipswich Town in 1953 and became part of a side which rose from Division Three (South) culminating in an improbable League championship in 1962. Forming a prolific spearhead with Ray Crawford, Ted scored 161 League goals in 269 appearances for Ipswich with very few of them tap-ins!
A short spell at Leyton Orient followed before he moved to Kenilworth Road in February 1965 with the Town rooted in the relegation places in Division Three (now League One). His signing brought about an improvement in fortunes for the club and his eight goals from 12 games, which included four straight wins, were a brief highlight in a miserable season. My memories of Ted were his ferocious shooting and bullet headers which were his trademark.
After refusing to move closer to Kenilworth Road in the summer of 1965, Ted joined Colchester in exchange for Billy Stark and after one final season at Layer Road hung up his boots.
Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
(Roger Wash)