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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therein61 added 14:06 - Jan 9
R.I.P Ted, I will never forget your thunder bolts almost busting the net and the vibrations on the church mans stand railings when you missed the target you were an absolute joy to watch. |  | |
Pendejo added 14:10 - Jan 9
Genuine Legend.
Way before my time but one with a record to be respected |  | |
Carberry added 14:13 - Jan 9
Legend is an often overused word, but not in his case. He was one of our club's all time greats. Feel privileged to have seen him play in the days when these men were full of humility and just did their job with scant reward. We will never see his like again. RIP. |  | |
TomGarneys added 14:19 - Jan 9
R.I.P Ted. The Best! | | |
dangerous30 added 14:23 - Jan 9
R.I.P. TED a true legend |  | |
Northstandveteran added 14:46 - Jan 9
R.I.P Ted.
Never had the pleasure of seeing you play but you're on my wall with the f.a cup and u.e.f.a cup winners team photos |  | |
Carrotblue added 14:53 - Jan 9
Statue to Ray and Ted great idea who do we approach ITFC or Ipswich council?
Enough emails may get something done, suggest statue be erected behind outside Sir Alf Ramsey stand as he and Ray were part of that era | | |
TractorBeezer added 15:16 - Jan 9
This is a very sad day. What a hero Ted was. My first game was v Swansea in 1954 when my dad stood me on a wooden crate to watch. I was blessed to see Ted play for most of his Ipswich career. Highlight has to be the away game v Spurs in March 1962. Spurs had won the double 1960-1961 and had a star studded team including Jimmy Greaves. https://hotspurhq.com/2014/03/14/tottenham-day-defeat-ipswich-costs-spurs-double Thanks to two goals from Ted and one from Ray Crawford we won 3-1 and fully deserved the victory. This was the pivotal game to put us in strong contention for the first division championship (the old Premier). Still love the bragging rights! Ted was a character. Alf didn't want balls to be used for training for one session per week so the day before Ted would hide a few to bring out later. Pre season work included cross country running and Ted was known to hitch a ride for part of the route on a sugar beet lorry. As opening bowler at a county cricket match donned a tall white chef's hat that he pulled out of his pocket. He was usually accessible for autographs although once when he was in a hurry to meet his girlfriend outside the ground, I had to settle for an "x"! Ted you have made so many Ipswich supporters happy and helped to put Ipswich on the map. Thank you for that. What a legacy! My sincere condolences to the family. Rest in peace Ted. |  | |
pazzy added 15:19 - Jan 9
FANTASIC MAN LOVED WTCHING TED AND RAY WHEN I WAS A YOUNGSTER | | |
BlueArrow added 15:21 - Jan 9
Sad sad news Rip always sad to lose a blue |  | |
dusty added 15:22 - Jan 9
I am proud to say that I was able to witness that era as a supporter. Halcyon days which I happily recall, but at the same time tinged with sadness at the passing of a legend. | | |
bobbyrobsonisgod added 15:22 - Jan 9
A true legend of the club - held in the same high regards as Sir Alf and Sir Bobby. Thanks for the memories - and for winning the first division for the club too. RIP Ted | | |
Bluetone added 15:34 - Jan 9
Sad sad news RIP big Ted | | |
markyatetractor added 15:46 - Jan 9
I was lucky enough to see Ted play in 62/63 and in 1971 faced him at cricket when he was bowling for Colchester and East Essex against my school first eleven in a one day 'friendly'
.I will never forget the speed he still had with the ball and I did not have to use a comb to part my hair for 3 weeks!!No helmets in those days !!
RIP and condolences to his family and friends | | |
brittaniaman added 15:55 - Jan 9
ALSO in the days he was playing, it was a lace up Leather Ball and by golly it got heavier when it got wet, no wonder the pegs holding the net down shot up out of the ground when he scored. | | |
Elwood added 16:17 - Jan 9
Gentleman. Legend. R.I.P. | | |
oldelsworthyfan added 16:17 - Jan 9
I still remember the first day he played! Big and gangling and one could not imagine then that he would turn into the lethal striker that he did. But Sir Alf saw the potential, nurtured him, partnered him with Ray Crawford and they turned into a stunning combination. Ted's brute force was not ignorant either.
In those days they had quality service from the midfield delivered by pin point crosses from Leadbetter and through balls from Elsworthy. What a team they were,
RIP Ted, I'll never forget the joy you brought to me and all of us who saw you play.. | | |
johnno added 16:19 - Jan 9
Very sad day I remember my first games at PR watching Ted remembering him break the net with a shot in one game , he was one of us he was one of our own a true legend rest in peace dear friend it was an honour to have watched him throughout his truely remarkable career the likes of which we will never see again. | | |
ronnyd added 16:23 - Jan 9
He played in an era when players were tough as old boots. Heavy leather balls, same with the boots and the kit, when wet weighed a ton and chafed like hell. Injured? just got up and got on with it. (Had to, the wage was a pittance). RIP Ted. | | |
grumpyoldman added 16:57 - Jan 9
RIP thinking about the joy you gave me, the memories I have, those really were the days. | | |
CornardBlue added 17:15 - Jan 9
Big Ted was my first Ipswich Town hero, proud to say i saw him play many times for Ipswich.
In his heyday he was the best number 10 in the country, i would say if Bobby Charlton was'nt about he would have played many times for England he was that good.
R.I.P. Big Ted a proud son of Suffolk. | | |
jas0999 added 17:46 - Jan 9
Sad news. RIP. A true ITFC Legend. | | |
blueboy1981 added 18:12 - Jan 9
Anyone who missed seeing Ted play missed something extra special - memories will live forever in those that had the pleasure of seeing him play.
Ted and Ray - MAGIC. Great Days and Great Memories. R.I.P. Big Fella. | | |
warktheline added 18:53 - Jan 9
Sadly before my time! Undoubtedly up there with the best....reading through posts confirm that. Rest in peace Ted! |  | |
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