Lee Phillips

Lee Phillips

Born 16 September 1980 (Age 27 at debut)

Position: Forward

(Diamonds player #293)

Total appearances 26 – 3 goals

(20 League, 1 FA Cup, 2 FA Trophy, 1 League Cup, 1 Maunsell Cup, 1 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut:

26 July 2008 (Home Peterborough United)

Final game:

16 December 2008 (Home Newport County)

Lee joined Rushden & Diamonds from Torquay United on 15 May 2008 for an undisclosed fee prior to the start of the 2008 / 2009 season. As a youngster Lee was an impressive rugby player as well as a footballer, but he signed for Plymouth Argyle as a youth player, becoming the youngest player to appear for the Argyle first team aged just 15 years old. He remained at Plymouth for five season, although he suffered a broken leg during his time with them and never really returned to first team action. In January 2001, he joined Weymouth, initially on loan, but agreed to sign a permanent deal in March. Financial difficulties at Weymouth saw him go out on loan to Newport County in February 2002 in an effort to cut the wage bill. He had a trial at Yeovil Town later that year, but remained at Weymouth, scoring some 33 goals in 67 appearances. On 22 February 2005, Lee signed for Exeter City for an undisclosed fee on a three year contract.

Torquay United agreed a £17,500 transfer fee in June 2007, and he moved to Plainmoor, forming an impressive strike partnership with Tim Sills. He scored 12 times for the Gulls in the 2007 / 2008 season with numerous assists, proving to be an influential and creative front man.

He made his first senior appearance for the Diamonds as they beat League One Peterborough United to win the NFA Maunsell Cup Final on 26 July 2008. He scored his first goal for the club on 4 August 2008 in a friendly against a Spurs XI and went on to make his league debut for the Diamonds in their 1-0 opening day victory over Eastbourne Borough the following Saturday. He scored his first league goal for the club in the following game at home to Ebbsfleet United on 12 August.

Lee left the club on 5 January 2009 after being released to re-join one of his former teams – Weymouth. After a short stay in Dorset he moved to Cambridge United in March 2009, helping them to the Conference Play-off final and being rewarded with a contract for the 2009 / 2010 season. After release by Cambridge the following season, he signed for newly promoted Conference side Bath City on 13 July 2010. On 2 March 2012, he went on an end of season loan to Conference South sideEastleigh. He returned to Bath City after the loan, but decided to leave in May 2012. On 25 June 2012, Lee joined Southern League Premier side Chippenham Town. He stayed with Chippenham until 2016 before joining Exmouth Town for the 2016-17 season. The following season he joined Saltash United aged 37, and was still there for the 2018/19 campaign.

Appearances

2008/2009 – squad number 9