KEVIN PHILLIPS

CLUBS

1991-94 Baldock Town

1994-97 Watford

1997-2003 Sunderland

2003-05 Southampton

2005-06 Aston Villa

2006-08 West Bromwich Albion

2008-11 Birmingham

2011-13 Blackpool

2013 Crystal Palace (loan)

2013-14 Crystal Palace

2014 Leicester

COUNTRY

1999-2002 England

We’re deep inside the Staffordshire countryside, and Kevin Phillips’ goose is honking at us.

“That’s our guard goose,” jokes Phillips. “If anything’s happening, it will let you know. It attacks you – it’s horrible!”

We’re standing outside the home of the only Englishman ever to win the European Golden Boot, and as long as we keep a safe distance from the most fearsome goose in all of Christendom, it’s hard not to be impressed.

A converted former gatehouse beside a quiet country lane, this may be one of the finest homes we’ve ever visited.

Outside there are areas for the family horses, plus a full-sized football goal and space to practise his putting. Indoors, there’s a pool table, his England caps, the Premier League Golden Boot and the European prize, both secured thanks to the 30 league goals he plundered for Sunderland in 1999-2000.

“You see the list of winners now and it makes it even more special,” says the 45-year-old. “Messi, Ronaldo, Phillips.” Not bad for a player whose career began as a full-back in England’s seventh tier.

He soon settles down on the sofa and we’re ready to talk...

What was the maddest thing you ever saw Ian Holloway do at Blackpool or Crystal Palace?

Garry Wright, Fleetwood

After the 2013 play-off final with Palace, we were on our way back to the hotel and the lads asked the boss if we could stop to get some more drink. He said, “Of course.” We stopped in one hell of a rough place in London, and sent the two biggest lads to the off licence. The next thing we knew, people are saying, “Look at Ollie!” He was running up and down the high street with the play-off trophy above his head – and this high street was rough. People were looking as if to say, ‘What the hell is this geezer doing?’ His wife was at the front of the bus and she banged on the window, saying, “Get in here!” A few of the lads had to go and get him. It was funny, but anyone could have mugged him, taken the trophy and done a runner!

Were you in the dressing room when Kevin Keegan quit after England lost to Germany in 2000?

Lucy Norton, Devizes

I was. It was strange. Kev didn’t come in straight after the game and we all knew something wasn’t right. He did a speech and looked physically shattered. There was emotion in