We talk to former keeper Steve Phillips about his time at the club, his charity work and what he plans to do in the future.
What was it like getting promoted via the playoffs with the strong Crewe side of 2012/13?
Getting promoted is the pinnacle of any footballer`s career. It was more a question of avoiding relegation in the first part of the season while Dario [Gradi] was in charge. As soon as Steve [Davis] took the reigns he changed a few things and that seemed to kick start all the talent we had into life. It was very much the same with promotion with Bristol Rovers although we didn’t have a change of manager.
And what was like to win the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in the same season, having fallen just short with Bristol Rovers in 2007?
The JPT was very special. Getting to Wembley is what that competition is all about and enjoying the day of course there is no better feeling to go on and win it! The area final was for me what made the JPT run pretty special. We were written off against Coventry and everyone thought the tie would be over after the first leg. And it was! Talk about smash and grab! Three counter attacking goals of real quality in an arena that I have not come across before outside of a playoff or JPT final. The noise the Coventry fans generated that evening will remain with me forever!
Having been at the club for five years and achieved great success, was it difficult to leave the club in 2014?
I had no choice. I was not offered a coaching role, which I was disappointed about after all the hard work I had put in getting Ben [Garratt] to the level he is at now. Let me tell you he was miles off before I started to work with him. He was a great lad and had a great attitude to change his technique in all areas of goalkeeping. The truth is I always wanted to move back home at some point so Crewe not offering me a job made that decision very easy!
What made you want to do charity work alongside your footballing career?
Charity work was something I had done while at Bristol Rovers. I love riding my bike so to put the two together was a lot of fun. I have to thank the likes of Scott Kynnersley in particular and many others including the club and all the people who supported me. They are the ones that should really be thanked. One thing the club is blessed with is some amazing supporters and the charity rollercoaster will also stay with me forever!
Would you be interested in returning to Crewe one day in a coaching role?
I have made my mind up now that I will not move from where I am for a coaching job. I’m very settled with a part time job and I still play decent football for Bath City. I also have my own keeper school up and running which is very successful and I also coach the keepers at Bristol Rovers Academy.
You’ve played alongside some massively talented young players such as Max Clayton, Nick Powell and Ashley Westwood, what was it like to work with them?
There were many others alongside those three guys. Nick was without doubt one of the most skillfully talented players. He could beat a player on both sides and could score from literally anywhere with either foot. Ashley was what you see week in week out in the Premier league, pure quality with the ball at his feet and the best engine I have ever seen.
Finally, after Crewe’s relegation last season, how do you see them getting on in League 2 this time around?
I think they will find it tough. The league has some ferocious players that will be very aggressive towards Crewe’s younger players. They will need to realize that the ball will be in the air a lot and they will be put under pressure via long balls into the box, long throws and stern tackling. If they can get the ball down and have good periods of possession they will hurt teams – that’s for sure. I’m looking forward to seeing how they do and of course I want them to do well to give the fans something to shout about!
Many thanks to Steve for taking part in this interview