Born in Liverpool, Phillips attended the Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School in the city and started his career in the youth team at Blackburn Rovers, before joining Premier League side Wigan Athletic on a two-year scholarship in 2010.
He featured predominantly in the reserve side and was released in the summer of 2014, after spending four years at the club without making a first team appearance.
[4] Following his release from professional football, he started a Sports Science Degree at Liverpool John Moores University combining this with playing for non-league side Prescot Cables of the Northern Premier League Division One North.
[5] In August 2015, he signed for Football League Two side Accrington Stanley on a short-term contract after impressing on trial during pre-season.
[3] He made his professional debut in September 2015, featuring as a substitute for Adam Morgan in the 2–1 defeat to Bury in the Football League Trophy.