Manager George Jobey said he "[showed] every sign of developing into a 'class' player", and the Derby Evening Telegraph's correspondent was "told by those who have seen him play that before the dawn of another season he will be a strong candidate for inclusion in the Rams' League side.
"[4] Philbin made his debut against Leeds United in April 1935, and had three good attempts on goal early on, but Derby lost 2–1, and that was his only league appearance.
He went straight into Torquay's team for the opening fixture of the 1936–37 season, and scored both his side's goals in a 2–2 draw with Reading.
[6] In style, he added technical ability to a Torquay team that made up in vigour, strength and enthusiasm what they lacked in "guile".
[1] After playing a few matches in the 1945–46 season,[1] Philbin returned to the Torbay area, where he spent some years with Dartmouth United, helping them win the 1948–49 Devon Senior Cup,[10] and then coached at Paignton Corinthians under the management of former Torquay player Russell Phillips.