Legendary Striker Phillips Dies
Tuesday, 9th Jan 2018 11:03 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.
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.
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.”
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.
Photos: TWTD/ITFC
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Taricco_Fan added 12:16 - Jan 9
Well before my time but it's clear Ted was one of our greatest ever players. Thanks for being such a crucial part of our title-winning side.
Rest in peace. |  | |
itfchorry added 12:17 - Jan 9
Had the pleasure of meeting Ted on a number
of occasions - So approachable and as many have
already stated a total gentleman.
A very sad day - Thoughts with his family |  | |
StowTractorBoy added 12:18 - Jan 9
Ted was my Dads hero and never stopped talking to me about him. A real bloke who really is a legend of the Club and will never be forgotten. Be great if some kind of lasting tribute can be installed at the Club. As suggested on here perhaps something alongside Ray Crawford his legendry strike partner. Thank you Ted for putting this Club well and truly on the footballing map. | | |
Surco72 added 12:20 - Jan 9
Very sad news ,for a player who put the club on the map . Thoughts and wishes go out to his family , RIP Ted a true legend |  | |
rfretwell added 12:34 - Jan 9
A huge action statue needed for Ted and Jungle Boy - like the one outside Twickenham. Would be fantastic. The 61/62 team was the Leicester of their day - better even as they had git promoted as champions from div 3 in sucessice seasons?
! the league title for Town. | | |
Cakeman added 12:37 - Jan 9
I never saw Ted play but my Dad always mentioned both Ted and Ray as being wonderful forwards.
Would be nice if the current Co-Op stand could be renamed the Crawford Phillips stand to remember them. Although I do appreciate there would be a sponsorship issue to consider. |  | |
Wickets added 12:37 - Jan 9
Yes great idea big gaz67. RIP Ted now he could shoot and with the old heavy ball. |  | |
rfretwell added 12:39 - Jan 9
Oh no, whatva c---p start to the year this is for all town fans. Would be great to have an action statue of Ted and Jungle boy like the brilliant one outside Twickenham. Our 61/62 team was the Leicester of their day, better even as they had won successive promotions as champions from div 3 too! | | |
Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 12:44 - Jan 9
Very sad. RIP Ted. Crawford/Philips: what a partnership! T [really] WTD! A Golden Era unlikely to be repeated. |  | |
Tony88 added 12:47 - Jan 9
I remember watching Ted in the 61-62 season he was a real star and a role model to young players.
My thoughts are with his family today. | | |
midastouch added 12:52 - Jan 9
They don't make 'em like they used to!
Was before my time but I have a football records book and I remember reading about his goal scoring heroics as a kid along with Crawford.
Very sad news... |  | |
Tedsleftfoot added 12:52 - Jan 9
RIP Ted, feeling sad at your passing, but I'm privileged to have seen him play and have great memories of him wearing the no.10 shirt. Thanks for the memories Ted! |  | |
blues1 added 13:01 - Jan 9
Never got to see him play but did get to spend time with him and his wife before games, in th centre spot. Not just a legend but a true gent. RIP Ted. Ond of the true greats. | | |
jonbull88 added 13:01 - Jan 9
Played before my time, but what a part he played in Ipswich's proud history! RIP Ted! | | |
haircut101 added 13:03 - Jan 9
I remember as a youngster watching Ted. He was a very exciting player and his shooting was lethal. He used to score from distance, sometimes up to 40 yds. A sad loss, we could do with someone like him nowadays. RIP Ted
|  | |
DiamondGezzer added 13:05 - Jan 9
R.I.P my friend, you deserve your everlasting accolades. |  | |
runaround added 13:07 - Jan 9
R.I.P Ted - a true ITFC legend |  | |
LegendofthePhoenix added 13:18 - Jan 9
What a sad day, sincerest condolences to the family. Without Ted, Ipswich Town would not be able to say that we were Champions of England. Thanks big man, and rest in Peace. |  | |
fourth added 13:30 - Jan 9
I remember Ted Phillips taking penalties. The goalkeeper knew where it was going....straight over his head, in off the bar.
It made no difference. | | |
ORomeoZondervan added 13:31 - Jan 9
My dad told me a story that Ted once took the net off the goal with a shot when he played for Stowmarket Town! A true Ipswich Town Hero. |  | |
worker added 13:40 - Jan 9
worker ...always remember his little white patch of hair at the back when he was playing .. I think his shots at goal was tested @80mph l ..Always willing to stop and chat A LEGENDand TRUE GENT RIP TED | | |
bluerico added 13:48 - Jan 9
It was the Phillips/Crawford combination that got me interested in football as a young lad. The rest of the sixties team was not bad either! Those were the days! RIP Ted, and thanks for all the good memories. | | |
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