[5] Her father was a bus driver of Saint Lucian descent, and her mother was a primary school teacher of Irish origin.

Her central defensive partnership with Faye White played a part in Arsenal's unprecedented success, both domestically and in Europe.

[11] Phillip made her England debut whilst with Millwall Lionesses, playing in the same team as future national coach Hope Powell in 1996.

[12] As an 18-year-old, she received an unexpected call-up to the squad that played in the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup;[13] she was pregnant at the time.

[15] She returned in early 2002 and subsequently captained England in two international friendlies against Sweden in February 2006, when Faye White was absent with an ankle injury.

She again captained England in the absence of White, who suffered a cruciate ligament injury at the start of the 2006–07 season, when they overcame France to secure passage to the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup.

[16] She was allotted 114 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England's inaugural international.