What can you say a legend and a true professional . Should have had more England caps but didn't play for a popular club
Great player Arguably the best English striker to grace the premier league and definitely the most under rated. Only English player to win the Golden Shoe (Boot) and 1 of only 3 players to win it while playing in the premier league (Thierry Henry, Ronaldo and himself) Legend Edit: not that anyone on here wouldn't know the above
Was like the football club equivalent of winning the lottery finding Phillips, best striker to pull on our shirt in my lifetime so far. Hope one day (soon) I can say it is somebody else.
Outstanding player. Still proudly have the signed poster I won at the Sunderland football academy as a kid for finishing top scorer of the five-a-side tournament. The testament to his ability and professionalism is his record everywhere he's been. The lad could be 100 and he'd still score goals. I think he is very unfortunate not to have more England caps to his name as already mentioned. Combination of factors really, mostly pointing to the fact he was born in the wrong era. I do sometimes wonder if he was better than Shearer, and whether Shearer's aggressive mentality was the actual difference between the two. It's a moot point though, because they're two incredible, world class players who played for North East clubs, which rarely happens (I would love a Juninho vs Phillips vs Shearer debate though ). Can't have a bad word said against him anyway, he's never let himself down in-front of the media, and I'd struggle to point to moments he let himself down on the pitch. I wish him every success in his retirement.
After 20 amazing years as a professional footballer, I've decided to announce my retirement. I will play my final game for Leicester on Saturday, at our home ground, having won the Championship title - and that seems like the perfect way to bow out. "I've had many great memories during my career. Now I'm moving onto the next stage." Kevin Phillips After scoring the winner to get Crystal Palace promoted at the end of last season there were a few voices in the back of my head saying 'maybe I should retire now'. But I decided to continue for another season for the chance to play in the Premier League as a 40-year-old. I managed to do that earlier in this campaign - joining an exclusive group of three other players who have played in the Premier League as 40-year-olds - but now the time is right. After a lot of consideration and time spent talking with my family, the Leicester manager Nigel Pearson and my agent, I think the time has come. I turn 41 in July and I just feel now, with sore ankles and the way my body is, it's not going to get any easier. All my family will be at the King Power Stadium this weekend and it's going to be emotional. However, although it's going to be a strange feeling leaving the pitch for the final time as a player, now's the right time. If I'm being honest, I wasn't tempted by one more go at the Premier League. Last year I kind of knew I was going to carry on but this year, no. I've been seriously thinking about it over the last four or five weeks and I think it's the right decision to make. There are other opportunities, looking forward now, that I want to pursue and that's kind of made my mind up as well. Plus, I don't particularly relish the idea of putting myself through another pre-season! Fortunate Looking back on my career I feel fortunate to say that there have been so many highs - and many more highs than lows. The five promotions to the Premier League have been great, especially the last two because they've come late on in my career, and to be the top scorer in the top flight - and win the European Golden Boot in 2000 - was incredible. But if I could pick one special moment, it would have to be pulling on an England shirt for the first time. As a kid, growing up, all I ever wanted to do was play for my country. When I got that opportunity - when I was still a First Division player with Sunderland - it was a dream come true. To wear that Three Lions shirt away in Hungary was amazing and to do it seven more times after that was phenomenal for me, a player who came out of non-league into the professional game quite late on at 20. People always ask you if you have any regrets, but I really don't. I've achieved everything I set out to when I was a young kid - and more. Promotions, relegations, cup final victories - I've experienced it all. It's been an exciting career. Every kid dreams of playing for teams like Man United and Chelsea, winning Premier League titles, but I've certainly enjoyed my career and have no regrets whatsoever. Sunderland The club I'm sure most football fans associate me with is Sunderland. That was where I made my name and I've still got huge affection for that football club. Whenever I go back there I'm always made to feel very welcome and I have to give them a huge thank you for their support. The Sunderland fans have been amazing to me when I've gone back to play against them or been at the Stadium of Light working for Sky and I sincerely hope they stay in the Premier League this season. The six years I had up there were awesome. Obviously it ended in disappointment with relegation but it was an amazing time, a lovely place to live and I met some great people. The North East people in general are very humbling. There are a lot of people I'd like to thank: the managers I've worked with, the players who have helped me and the football clubs I've played for - plus many others I don't have room to list here. Ultimately the biggest thank you would have to be to my family, though. Me and my wife went into my career together and 20 years on we're still married! There have been a lot of challenges along the way but my family have been a massive, massive help for me throughout my career. Future So, what next? I hear a lot of stories about players finding it difficult when they hang up their boots but I'm hoping with the opportunities I've got in front of me I'll be kept pretty busy. I'm lucky in that respect. The manager at Leicester has offered me a position in the coaching staff, with a role with the first team for next season, which I'd like to pursue. That should mean that this summer I'll be just as busy, if not busier, than the actual players on the training field! I also want to continue my media career and take that to another level, as well, so these are exciting times for me. You can't beat the buzz of match day, though: traveling to the ground, warming up on the pitch... that feeling is very special. Then, being a striker, there's nothing better than hitting the back of the net. I'd love to do that one last time on Saturday. But if it doesn't happen then I've had many great memories during my career. Now I'm moving onto the next stage.
Super Kevin Phillips...legend! I have his signed shirt on my wall in pride of place...Sunderlands best.
Best forward I have ever seen in the Red & White stripes and will probably ever be in my lifetime. Just remember him striking the ball from anywhere and it going in, what an absolute LEGEND the man was, should have had many more England caps had it not been for that twat King Kev (Keegan)
Amazing player. To score 30 EPL goals in a side that did not even finish in the top 6 is quite remarkable. Everyone is jerking off about Suarez, saying he is the best player in the world. Well what SKP did was just as impressive, how he did not get a run of games for England God only knows.
Do you remember when Kevin Phillips was awesome? What else do you remember from 1999-2000? Monday 28 Apr 2014 5:05 pm Goal-scoring legend Kevin Phillips has sadly decided to retire from football at the end of the season at the tender age of 40. But letâs not waste time mourning the career of the former Watford, Sunderland, Southampton, Aston Villa, West Brom, Birmingham, Blackpool, Crystal Palace and Leicester ace, but instead remember his most memorable season when he was crowned the most deadly striker in Europe for the Black Cats? How much can you remember from the 1999-2000 season? http://metro.co.uk/2014/04/28/do-re...-else-do-you-remember-from-1999-2000-4711786/
Surely he must make an appearance at the Swansea game as a gesture from the club. He and Charlie Hurley are the only two living legends we have and massive fan favourites even to this day.
