[1] Liverpool-born Ferns signed for Sam Ellis's Blackpool, who were then in the Fourth Division, in the summer of 1983.
His father, also called Phil, played 18 times for Liverpool F.C.
He made his debut for the Tangerines in the opening League game of the 1983-84 campaign, a single-goal victory over Reading at Bloomfield Road.
[2] The following season, 1984-85, he made six starts and two substitute appearances as Blackpool finished runners-up and won promotion to Division Three.
His final appearance for the Seasiders came on 23 February, a 1–0 victory at home to Southend United.