Leighton Phillips

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Leighton Phillips

| image =

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1949|09|26|df=y}}

| birth_place = Neath, Wales

| height =

| position = Defender

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 1967–1974

| years2 = 1974–1978

| years3 = 1978–1981

| years4 = 1981–1983

| years5 = 1983

| clubs1 = Cardiff City

| clubs2 = Aston Villa

| clubs3 = Swansea City

| clubs4 = Charlton Athletic

| clubs5 = Exeter City

| caps1 = 180

| caps2 = 140

| caps3 = 97

| caps4 = 45

| caps5 = 10

| goals1 = 11

| goals2 = 4

| goals3 = 0

| goals4 = 1

| goals5 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 1971–1975

| nationalyears2 = 1971–1981

| nationalteam1 = Wales U23

| nationalteam2 = Wales

| nationalcaps1 = 5

| nationalcaps2 = 58

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| club-update =

| ntupdate =

}}

Leighton Phillips (born 26 September 1949) is a Welsh former professional footballer. During his career, he made over 450 appearances in The Football League during spells with Cardiff City, Aston Villa, Swansea City, Charlton Athletic and Exeter City and won 58 caps for Wales.{{Cite web |url=http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player/leightonphillips.html |title=Leighton Phillips |publisher= Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Transfer Database |access-date=2010-05-03}}

Club career

A Welsh schoolboy international, Phillips began his career at Cardiff City, making his way through the youth and reserve sides before making his debut as a substitute during a 2–2 draw against Rotherham United in January 1968, scoring with his very first touch. In these early stages of his career, Phillips was used in positions all over the pitch, including playing as a striker and midfielder, before settling in defence as a sweeper, taking over the role following the departure of Brian Harris.{{Cite book | title = The Who's Who of Cardiff City | first = Dean | last = Hayes | publisher = Breedon Books | year = 2006 | isbn= 1-85983-462-0}}

He became increasingly unhappy with the lack of success at the club and in September 1974 he left the club to join Aston Villa for a fee of £100,000. Winning the League Cup in 1977, Phillips also went on to captain the side on his way to making 175 appearances for the club before becoming Swansea City's record signing when he joined for £70,000 in November 1978.{{Cite web |url=http://www.astonvillaplayerdatabase.com/1077.html |title=Leighton Phillips |publisher=Aston Villa Player Database |access-date=2007-08-24}} After winning promotion to Division One, Phillips moved to Charlton Athletic for £25,000 before finishing his league career with Exeter City.{{Cite web|url=http://www.swanseacity.net/page/PastPlayers/0,,10354~1284874,00.html |title=Past players |publisher=Swansea City A.F.C. |access-date=2010-05-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710081529/http://www.swanseacity.net/page/PastPlayers/0%2C%2C10354~1284874%2C00.html |archive-date=10 July 2010 }}

International career

Having won caps at under-21 and under-23 level, Phillips made his senior debut in a 3–1 defeat to Czechoslovakia on 21 April 1971.{{Cite book | title = Wales The Complete Who's Who of Footballers Since 1946 | first = Dean P. | last = Hayes | publisher = Sutton Publishing Limited | year = 2004 | isbn = 0-7509-3700-9}}