Members News: One Of Sky Blues ‘Boys Of 87’ is 61 Today. ‘Happy Birthday’ David!
Sky Blues F.A.Cup winning hero (and CCFPA member) David Phillips is celebrating his 61st birthday today and CCFPA would like to add its birthday wishes to those of all Sky Blues fans.
Though born in Germany (his dad was in the RAF) on 29th July 1963 David was capped for Wales 62 times from 1984 (including whilst at Highfield Road). David served his football apprenticeship from 1979 with Plymouth Argyle turning professional in 1981. After 93 appearances (sixteen goals) Manchester City came calling for the hard working and versatile midfielder in 1984.
At Maine Road David clocked up nearly a century of first team outings (sixteen goals) before a player exchange plus deal was settled with the Sky Blues in close season 1986. Young goalkeeper Perry Suckling (an Association member now) plus £150k was exchanged for David as he became a valued fixture at Highfield Road and an integral part of that season’s John Sillett – George Curtis led assault on F.A.Cup silverware in the 1986-87 campaign. Both men later became CCFPA members and David along with the other ‘Boys of 87’ were desolate at the passing of both Sky Blue giants in 2021. David shared all the excitement in the City caused by the 1986-87 season’s victorious campaign and has played his part in many of the subsequent reunions – and still lives locally.
Courtesy of former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson here are some of the Birthday Boy’s Sky Blue goals!
On eventually leaving Highfield Road for Nottingham Forest in August 1993 David had amassed 124 Sky Blues first team appearances (eleven goals). David rounded off his career at Huddersfield Town, Lincoln City and Stevenage Borough before hanging up his boots in 2001.
David Phillips & Jim at GD19David has supported the Association’s Golf Days and, in fact, took the top prize at Golf Day 2016! A few years ago David undertook a new footballing adventure, acccepting a job as a coach with Future1Pro (http://future-pro.co.uk) a Warwick-based firm who are one of a several similar outfits in the locality who offer football scholarships for players aged 16 – 19.
He still pulls his boots on from time to time for charity outings with the Sky Blues Legends XI.Aaron Phillips in the Sky Blue
Naturally, David also followed the career of his son, former Sky Blue apprentice Aaron Phillips who went on to play over sixty times for the Sky Blues until being transferred to Northampton Town from 2016-18. Aaron subsequently had spells with Kidderminster Harriers, St Ives Town and Brackley Town.
David spent the summer of couple of years ago on holiday in
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