Phil is fondly remembered by all at the club as part of the famous FA Vase winning side who claimed the inaugural trophy at Wembley Stadium on Saturday the 19th of April 1975. Club notes from that day list Phil as aged 25 and single. He had played for Cheshunt, Walthamstow, Southall and St. Albans City FC and was noted as a vehicle technician by profession.

The game was played in front of a crowd of 10,000 and Hoddesdon beat Epsom & Ewell 2-1, sparking wild celebrations in the town and stories that have been recounted and handed down to new generations of Hoddesdon Town FC members.

Speaking to the Non League Paper in June 2015, Phil commented “We played Farnborough Town in the quarter finals and they hadn’t lost at home for three or four years. They were a good side and had won the Spartan League two or three years on the trot. Then the story came out that they had already got their blazers ready for Wembley. It motivated us and luckily we played them at home. John Nathan who was a bit special on his day scored our first goal and Dick Sedgwick got our second.”

Phil admitted that it wasn’t until the latter rounds of the competition that Hoddesdon actually believed the final would be played at Wembley – or if they would even get that far.

“None of us took it seriously in terms of the final being played at Wembley,” he added. “We all thought that we had heard it all before. But the rumours were that they were going to continue playing at Wembley from where the old Amateur Cup left off. It was only when we got to the last 16 and played Molesey that we started to believe it was a possibility."

“Then the chairman Elmer Elliott came in one day and said the final is definitely going to be at Wembley, so the dream became a reality.”

Talking about the final itself, Phil added “It was surreal. We had a few nerves even when we went 2- 0 up but we didn’t go mad as we knew we still had a long way to go. The nerves really started in the last ten minutes when Trevor Wales pulled a goal back. They had a lot of chances but our goalkeeper, Fred Gulvin, made a couple of crucial saves and we hung on to win.”

And the rest is history.

After his playing days, Phil had a career in football management with spells at Haringey Borough, Brimsdown Rovers and Cheshunt. Later, Phil returned to Lowfield and became our groundsman, charged with keeping the pitch in pristine condition and he did a fantastic job.

Back in 2015 it was suggested to Broxbourne Borough Council that perhaps the building of High Leigh Garden Village, a brand new housing development on the edge of town, could incorporate the names of the players and management who brought such kudos to the Town. Street names were suggested, and in what was in 2015 the Council’s ‘Year of Heritage’, the suggestion was greeted with great enthusiasm.

Five years later, the naming of streets and of blocks of apartments came onto the agenda. Following several discussions with the Council representative, and with the approval of the Planning Department, it was agreed that the whole squad of players, the management, the Club, and the man who led the Club, Elmer Elliott, would be recognised on the High Leigh Garden Village development. Members of the Club first had to seek approval from all the personnel or their next of kin, and the response was overwhelmingly supportive without exception.

And so, it is fitting that ‘Maybury Court’, an apartment block within the development, ensures Phil’s name and achievements will live long in the town, and in our hearts.

A minute's silence will be held prior to our game this coming Saturday (17th) against Park View, shortly before 3pm. Funeral arrangements will be communicated when available.

We send our thoughts and condolences to Phil’s friends and family and we wish to thank him for his incredible contribution and helping to put Hoddesdon Town Football Club on the map, almost fifty years ago.

May he rest in peace.

(With credit and thanks to The Non League Paper, Hertfordshire Mercury, Colin Sinden, Elaine Phillips and Graham Phillips)