Filipe dos Santos started by playing in small clubs such as Cruz Quebrada and Avenida, until he reached Vitória de Setúbal in 1919, where he was captain-general and played until 1921, when he moved to Sporting Clube de Portugal He immediately won a place in the midfield of the Lions, participating in the 1st Final of the Portuguese Championships, which he would win in 1923, integrating the team that won the first "double" in Sporting history.
Still as a player, he was a four-time Lisbon Champion, the last of whom in the 1927/28 season, accumulating the functions of field coach, having in January 1926 assumed the position of General Captain of the Football section, following The resignation of Francisco Stromp.
He would also do some games until 1930, when he resumed the command of the team, to become again Lisbon Champion, but nevertheless the Direction understood to replace it by the Englishman Artur John.
In 1931 he received the Medal of Merit and Dedication, awarded at the time of the commemorations of the 25 years of Sporting Clube de Portugal.
In 1932, when he was only a member of great prestige, and following a humiliating defeat with the Belenenses, he became involved in a mess with a director, and was suspended from membership for a year, escaping expulsion due to the relevance of the services rendered to the Club.