To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in. The prolific striker was all ready to sign on the dotted line in July 1997 and was even in then-Town chairman David Sheepshanksâ office. But after Ipswich and Phillipsâ club, Watford, could not agree a fee, he wasted no time in signing for Sunderland where he became a modern-day legend, scoring 134 goals in 239 games. Phillips has maintained that kind of goalscoring form throughout his successful career and, after Paul Jewell showed some interest in the 38-year-old in the summer, he showed Town fans what they were missing after a clinical equaliser for Blackpool on Saturday. Going back to the summer of 1997, Phillips recalled: âI agreed personal terms but the clubs couldnât agree a fee. âI think they had a player at a tribunal at the time and they had to wait until that was out the way. âI went back in my car outside here (Portman Road), rang Peter Reid (then Sunderland manager) and I signed for Sunderland the next day. âI wanted to sign for Ipswich. It is a fantastic club, the facilities are great and it is not too far from where I came from, but it wasnât to be.â And then last summer, Phillips revealed Jewell had enquired about him after he was released by Birmingham. But he said: âI think he had his players in mind and I suppose you are taking a risk when you sign a 38-year-old. âBut Iâm hoping Ian Holloway (the Seasidersâ boss) and Blackpool havenât taken that much of a risk as I am sitting on eight goals and I have only started 13 or 14 games.â ARTICLE NICKED FROM http://www.greenun24.co.uk/ipswich-...lips_almost_signed_for_ipswich_town_1_1492516 Phillipsâ strike on Saturday took his amazing tally against Ipswich to 11 goals in 16 games after Town failed to sign him 14 years ago. * This article first appeared on www.greenun24.co.uk on January 15, 2012. * Phillips could be rested tomorrow in what will be his third match in seven days. Sources close to the club suggest he might have to settle for a place on the bench with Gary Taylor-Fletcher flanked by Tom Ince and Matt Phillips with both wingers wanted by Premier League clubs, Swansea and Southampton respectively.
