Ramsey installed a belief in his players that they could beat anyone, he had the respect of his players who were totally committed boasting utterly ruthless team spirit. All these things together led to his success with both Ipswich and England.
In 2009, Phillips appeared on the Sky Sports programme ‘Time of Our Lives’, reminiscing about his glorious Ipswich days with teammates Larry Carberry and Ray Crawford.
Phillips revealed that he had met Ramsey by chance the night before he was sacked as England manager. What surprised Phillips was that Ramsey already knew he was no longer in charge of England when they were together but didn’t mention it. Ramsey kept himself to himself; he was a very distinctive character.
Powerful Striker
The 1960-61 season was a sweet memory for Phillips not only because of Ipswich’s success but also because they recorded a double victory over fierce rivals Norwich City. Phillips was known for having one of the hardest shots in football and in one of these ‘Old Farm’ games he was given the responsibility from the penalty spot:
“I remember it well,” he laughs, “because the Norwich keeper, Sandy Kennon, came out of his goal and tried to put me off.
“He said ‘Where are you going to put it?’ and I told him I was going to aim for his head. He didn’t know what to say but I had a strong shot and it made him think.
“I ran up and stuck to my guns. He dived to the side and the ball thudded against the underside of the bar before hitting the net. If he’d stood still I reckon it might have taken his head off and well he knew it!”
Phillips once went head-to-head with Bobby Charlton, Peter Lorimer and Bobby Smith in a national competition to see who had the hardest shot:
“The area was all wired up and Bobby Smith missed the netting!
“I was recorded at 80-plus mph to be named England’s most powerful striker,” recalls a proud Phillips.
“Ted’s shot was so powerful that it made Bobby Charlton’s look like a back-pass,” said Ray Crawford.
Looking back on his Ipswich career, Phillips, now 77 and living in Colchester, Essex, a mere 20 minute drive from Ipswich claims: “I had a great time at Ipswich, I have no regrets whatsoever, my best moment being when we won the First Division Championship.”
Unfortunately, the Ipswich Town hero rarely gets to attend many games these days because of operations on both his knees and shoulders.
Phillips was held in such high regard at Ipswich that when the club opened a hall of fame in 2007 he was one of the first names to be inducted into it. Strike partner Ray Crawford was added onto the list at the same time alongside club legends Mick Mills and John Wark.
Phillips last game for Ipswich ended up with him being in goal for the last six minutes of a 4-0 drubbing at Chelsea. It is ironic how Ipswich’s second ever top league goalscorer finished his Ipswich career trying to save goals.
“My relationship with the fans was very good and still is now. When I go to watch Ipswich, the fans will always shout have you brought your boots Ted?” joked Phillips.
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