After a short spell as a youth with Crystal Palace,[2] Phillips began his senior career at Athenian League club Hayes and made his debut at the age of 15 in a victorious Middlesex Charity Cup semi-final match in April 1962.
[3] He made two further appearances towards the end of the 1961–62 season, but was robbed of the chance to play in the 1962 Middlesex Charity Cup final because of a broken thumb.
[2] An injury to Gerry Cakebread and poor performances by his deputy Fred Ryecraft saw manager Frank Blunstone hand Phillips his first team debut in an FA Cup first round match versus Margate at Griffin Park on 16 November 1963.
[6] Faced with improved competition from Chic Brodie,[7] Phillips' appearance-count dropped during the 1968–69 and 1969–70 seasons,[6] to the point that he was placed on the transfer list at his own request in February 1968.
[8] 1972–73 proved to be Phillips' last with the Bees and he departed the club at the end of the season,[7] after relegation back to the Fourth Division was confirmed.
[8] Phillips made 227 appearances during his 10 years at Griffin Park and was awarded a testimonial versus an ex-Brentford XI in October 1973,[7] which earned him £825.