Pompey mourn Len Phillips

The following article is lifted from the official website of Portsmouth football club. The link to the article: http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/LatestNews/news/Pompey-Mourn-Len-Phillips-2892.aspx

Portsmouth Football Club are saddened to hear of the death of former England international Len Phillips, aged 89, who was a member of Pompey’s championship-winning teams of 1949 and 1950.

Len was rated by many as being the most gifted inside-forward to have played for the Blues, his creative genius, matched by superb ball control, meant he was capable of destroying a defence with a single pass. He spent his entire professional career at Pompey, making 261 appearances and scoring 62 goals for the club.

Phillips was born in Shoreditch on September 11 1922 and grew up in London, always with a ball at his feet.

During World War Two he served as a member of the Royal Marines and, as a crew member on an assault landing craft, was one of the first marines to go ashore during the D-Day operations.

Following the war he was recommended to Pompey manager Jack Tinn. He quickly established himself as a regular first-team member and played a major role in helping the club to win the League Championship in 1949 and 1950.

Despite his abundance of talent, Len received only three England caps. It was during a training match with the national team that he suffered a knee injury which effectively ended his career.

In 1956 he made his final appearance for Pompey, in an FA Cup third round win over Grimsby.

Len went on to play non-league football until well into his 40s, for Poole Town, Chelmsford City, Bath City and Ramsgate Athletic before ending his playing days at Waterlooville.

The club sends its sincere condolences to Len’s family in their time of bereavement..

 

Watched the clips on South Today showing him in action.
Oh boy, they knew how to tackle in those days - and you didn,t see those on the receiving end rolling around the ground - they stood up and got on with it

 

Very sad news.

Len was before my time as a Pompey supporter but I do recall seeing him in a charity match (perhaps in Alton in the early sixties?) with some other ex pompey stars. Duggie Reid definately & maybe jack Froggert. (Jimmy Dickenson was still playing for Pompey at the time and refereed).

I have forgotten who the opposition was but they took it seriously while the Pompey ex stars were out for a stroll in the park - except len Phillips who was still playing Southern league at the time & was very intent, fit and impressive. He had a style that, unlike some other past greats, would have easily adapted to the modern game.

As Meowth points out, an itegral cog in Pompey's best ever team.

RIP

 

Great player. One of the last of THE greatest side ever produced from the south coast BAR NONE. Rest in peace Len.

 

He was the last of them. Phillips was the last surviving member of the team that won back to back league titles in 1949 and 1950.