Legendary Blues striker Ted Phillips has died at the age of 84.

Gromford-born Phillips joined the club in 1953 and was a member of Sir Alf Ramsey’s sides which won the 1961/62 First Division championship at the first attempt, having carried off the Second Division title the previous season and prior to that the Third Division (South).

He famously forged a brilliant partnership with Ray Crawford following his recruitment from Portsmouth in 1958, Phillips netting 33 (28 in the league) during the Division One championship campaign to his team-mate’s 36 (33 in the league).

Famed for having the most powerful shot in football, Phillips scored 46 goals in all competitions in the 1956/57 season, still a club record.

We are deeply saddened to hear the news of one of our former players, Ted Phillips who has passed away aged 84.

Ted was part of #itfc's 1961-62 title winning squad and the thoughts of everybody at Ipswich Town are with his family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/mtg3dXvqlg– Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) January 9, 2018

Overall, he netted 181 goals - the third-highest scorer in the club's history - in 295 appearances before moving on to Luton in 1964, then later Leyton Orient and Colchester prior to a spell in charge of Maltese club Floriana Valetta, who he had scored four goals against in Town’s aggregate 14-1 European Cup victory in 1962, two in each leg.

Phillips, who continued to visit Portman Road in his latter years (pictured above at an open day in 2013 on the day before his 80th birthday), was also a talented fast bowler and represented Suffolk.

He worked for Pirelli Cables prior to his retirement and had just moved to a nursing home in Ipswich from Colchester at the time of his death having suffered from dementia in his final four years.

The #itfc flag flies at half mast above the Cobbold Stand today.

RIP Ted - and thank you 💙 pic.twitter.com/iEPfZVwzE5– Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) January 9, 2018

Strike partner Crawford, 81, who remained a close friend after their playing days, was among the first to pay tribute.

"Ted had this ferocious shot and I got a lot of my goals because the goalkeepers couldn't hold them and could only parry them, and I just used to mop up," he told BBC Suffolk.

"He was ferocious off the field as well and wasn't a man to put up with any nonsense. We were big pals right up until he had this dementia.

"He'd just moved into a home and I had hoped to pop in and see him next time I was up."

Doug Moran, another member of the championship-winning side, told the club site: “I came down from Scotland and things were pretty normal up there but when I met Ted he was different to anyone I had ever met before. What a character. He loved a laugh and was one of the nicest guys you could ever wish to meet.”

Current Blues manager Mick McCarthy added: “I’ve been told of his goalscoring record at the club and it’s clear that he is player that stamped his mark on the history of Ipswich Town.

"Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends at this sad time.”

WATCH: @Official_ITFC legend Ted Phillips has died at the age of 84. He scored an incredible 181 goals in 295 games for the club.

Here are some of his best moments from his time at Portman Road....@itvfootball #itfc pic.twitter.com/e0T6IGJiaG– ITV News Anglia (@itvanglia) January 9, 2018

Ahead of Saturday's home game against Leeds United there will be a minute's applause, while the players will wear black armbands.

An interview with Phillips from 2012 talking about his time at Portman Road can be found here.

StanwayTractorboy added 11:06 - Jan 9 RIP.... hopefully the club do some kind of lasting tribute!
12

itsonlyme added 11:07 - Jan 9 He was my hero as a nine year old. My stepfather would take me to PR to watch a real football team play. Those players were made of stern stuff. Ted used to make the opposition goalie quake when he was about to unleash a thunderbolt. RIP Ted.
21

ChateauWines added 11:08 - Jan 9 Terribly sad news. A proper gentleman and a real legend
13

Fixed_It added 11:08 - Jan 9 Great player - a true Town legend. RIP.
12

1966 added 11:09 - Jan 9 My Dad Told Me a lot about Him , Nice Fella and a Hammer of a shot in his Boots. RIP OLD BOY .
5

Steve_M added 11:12 - Jan 9 Sad news. At some point the club should name something after both Phillips and Crawford, the two names always went together and should stay that way.
9

KiwiBlue2 added 11:12 - Jan 9 What an outstanding record he had. Must have given a lot of pleasure to supporters who watched him as well as an outstanding contribution to the clubs success. My sincerest condolences to his family, friends and those supporting him in his career. RIP
6

bgexile added 11:14 - Jan 9 I just missed seeing him. A true club legend. RIP Ted.
5

BillyBaxterwasbest added 11:18 - Jan 9 Saw him play many times, lots of memories, in top ten of Town players all time greats. RIP Ted.
6

raycrawfordswig added 11:18 - Jan 9 Thanks for the memories Ted.RIP .Hope they give you a good applause on Saturday.
8

Uncle_Bulgaria added 11:19 - Jan 9 RIP Ted.....thanks for everything
7

spiegal added 11:22 - Jan 9 Big Ted was amazing...the stories of him playing and his antics at training were legendary. His shooting from just about anywhere was worth the admission. in todays market he would be worth Zillions...a TRUE legend...he had been ill for some time. Part of my youth has now gone..RIP Big man
12

Spanishblueblood added 11:23 - Jan 9 A TRUE town legend, TWTD!
7

baxter7 added 11:25 - Jan 9 Rest in peace ted fantastic forward
4

martin587 added 11:26 - Jan 9 I still have his autograph from the Southend v Ipswich match played at the New Rootes Hall ground in 1955.I was only 10 years old then.He was an excellent striker then and his heart always remained with Ipswich when he retired from football. Will be sadly missed by all family,the club and friends everywhere.
7

tractorboybig added 11:28 - Jan 9 First visit to PR> him and Ray, what heroes RIP
3

sarahjean1 added 11:29 - Jan 9 Tha buzz around the ground when he had the ball ,never heard the likes again.RIP ted "a true legend.
5

ArnieM added 11:29 - Jan 9 RIP “ Super Ted”
2

portman_blue added 11:32 - Jan 9 RIP Ted. A great player. I started watching Town from about 1959 when I was 10 and well remember those great games with Ted, Ray and Andy Nelson. Fearsome striker of the ball - can't imagine any of today's goalies wanting to face him.
4

suttonexile added 11:33 - Jan 9 Can recall Ted unleashing one of his thunderous drives against Man U in 1961 which hit the crossbar and rebounded almost to the halfway line. Also, a penalty against Burnley, a season or two later, ripping the steel pegs from the ground holding the net in place. Privileged childhood memories! RIP
4

PJH added 11:37 - Jan 9 A sad loss. Great memories from great times. Anyone who saw him strike a football will never forget it. Another of our Champions gone. RIP Big Man.
4

Kesgraveblue57 added 12:04 - Jan 9 A true legend when he hit the on target he scored, goalkeepers were genuinely afraid of him the power he had was second to none bearing in mind it was the old leather ball RIP big fella
3

pegasus added 12:07 - Jan 9 Watching him play, seeing his humour and his humility were part of my upbringing. RIP Ted.
3

Carrotblue added 12:10 - Jan 9 A legend is an overused word today, but when it comes to Ted LEGEND, sums him up. Gone but will always be remembered RIP Ted
5

big_gaz67 added 12:15 - Jan 9 We should have two minutes applause in minutes 61 and 62 on Saturday!
10

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls