LEE PHILLIPS was still at school when he made his first team debut in men's football. At the time he became Plymouth Argyle's youngest ever player.
After breaking his leg twice, a move to Weymouth kick-started a career that took him to Wembley on three times with Exeter City, Torquay United and Cambridge United.
Still playing Non-League football 21 years after his first ever appearance, the 36-year-old striker is now plying his trade with South West Peninsula League side Exmouth Town.
But first he's taking The NLP down memory lane as he picks out best mates Adam Stansfield and Jon Challinor, his biggest achievement and the time Neil Warnock cut his head open during a team-talk.
First club
Plymouth Argyle. At the time, I was the youngest player to ever play for them. I made my debut when I was 15. I was obviously still at school and my old man was taking me up there from St Ives. Mick Jones and Neil Warnock were the managers.
I'd been doing well in the youth team and I got called to train on the top pitch with the first team, which was unbelievable. Then as I was walking back down after, Neil Warnock called me over and said, ‘How do you fancy being involved on Saturday?' I didn't make my debut that weekend, but a few games later I finally got on against Gillingham at home.
Then I broke my leg. It was devastating. I was on top of the world, everything was going well, I was told Liverpool were looking at me. You feel like the world has ended. I was in plaster for six months and I came back too early. I was too eager. I played in a youth game, went to kick a ball down the line, the defender just clipped my shin and it broke again. I contemplated giving up, I had more injuries playing football than rugby.
Plymouth were fantastic, but it really knocked me. I went out on loan to Weymouth. Andy Mason and Fred Davis took me on without seeing me play and that was the boost I needed. I was banging in the goals, Yeovil and Reading were looking at me, it was fantastic. Weymouth has a massive place in my heart for helping me kick-start my career.
Best manager
Alex Inglethorpe at Exeter, without doubt. He's a phenomenal bloke and with Paul Buckle we had the perfect management team. He wasn't just a manager, you could talk to him about anything.
I even remember one night, I'd been out on the drink after a win, and I phoned him at 2am! Even then he wasn't taken aback. He'd said call him any time. I just thought I'd quickly say hello and he appreciated it. He's a great bloke and it's great to see him doing so well at Liverpool now.
Best team-mate
Adam Stansfield and, I really don't want to say him but, Jon Challinor. The three of us clicked at Exeter. Jon's a great bloke and everyone knows about Adam. We were roomies and all got on.
Me and Adam playing up front, Jon on the wing, it was a great combination. They were always there for me and I'd like to think I was for them. It was devastating when Adam died. I know his wife and kids. He was very special. I've got a really nice picture of the three of us after the play-off semi-final at Oxford. I speak to Jon all the time, but to see Adam's smiling face in the picture is really nice.
First promotion
Never been promoted! I've come so close to winning things numerous times, but never quite got there. I won the Devon Bowl with Plymouth Argyle quite a few times. I did score my first hat-trick last week! For Exmouth against Callington Town.
Funniest player
Bristol City legend Scott Murray. I first met him when I joined Bath City, straightaway he was the most likeable lad. Always smiling, hilarious to have around and a top player too. He was massive for us. We were underdogs every week and in that first season in the Conference we were so unlucky to miss out on the play-offs.
He's an ambassador and kit man at Bristol City now. That says it all. He's also an Irn-Bru fanatic. He'd drink it before and after every game.
Funniest incident
I was on the bench for Plymouth and we were 3-0 down at half-time. Neil Warnock came into the changing room. He was ranting and raving, swear words galore. He picked on one of the defenders who he was particularly annoyed with. There was a big metal tea urn in the room. He picked it up, chucked it in the air and headed it! ‘That's how you f*****g head a ball!'
The room was so quiet, no one dared laugh, but we could see the blood start trickling down his face. The physio Norman Medhurst ushered him into the physio's room leaving Mick Jones and Kevin Blackwell to give the team-talk. We got the game back and drew – he came in with a big bandage on his head, laughing.
Biggest achievement
I'll probably get a bit of stick from the lads I know through football, but I've got to say playing at Wembley. It's one of those dreams. To play there three times – and I scored once – in front of all those fans and in that atmosphere is amazing. Every time I see Wembley on TV I say to my little boy, Finn, ‘Daddy's played there'. Now my wife Nikki makes sure she says it before I do. It's just phenomenal.
Lowest moment
It would be obvious to say losing at Wembley three times. Of course you want to win at least once. But I'll actually say getting so many injuries. Because I was the type of player who would go into full-blooded challenges, I was always prone to knee injuries, head injuries and I obviously broke my leg twice.
I'm still playing now, and when I wake up the next morning I can hardly walk. My wife laughs at me hobbling across the bedroom. But it's nothing a swim in the sea can't fix. I live five minutes from the sea so I always dip my body in there after games. I swear by it.
Favourite place to go
St James Park at Exeter. Everything about it. If I could turn back time I would never have left the club. I left for the wrong reasons. If I'd have known what I know now, no amount of money would have taken me away. Great fans, a great family club, I love it there.
Toughest place to go
It's a toss-up between Steve Evans' Crawley and Graham Westley's Stevenage – I'll have to go with Stevenage. It's a great little ground, but Westley's teams were always big and strong with the likes of striker Steve Morison. Then they had Mark Roberts at the back with Jon Ashton – I'm not one to shirk, but seeing those two at the back was daunting.
Grays Athletic's old ground was horrible. I used to hate it. I could never score there to save my life. It was enclosed with a block of flats overlooking it and the fans would give loads of abuse.
Toughest opponent
As a whole back four it was Stevenage, but there was one lad at Grays – Jamie Stuart. We get on well now, but we had some battles. There was a game at Exeter where we both got sent-off. Every time I played against him it was always horrible. He would wind me up, I'd wind him up.
Before the game in the tunnel I'd look at him and hate everything about him – purely in a football sense. Off the pitch you respect each other, but on the pitch he was one of the hardest I've ever come up against.
Best thing about Non-League
The atmosphere of all the clubs you go to, particularly further down the leagues. There aren't big stands, the fans are really close to you, people don't take it as seriously as when you're in the Conference or even Conference South.
Players don't get paid loads of money so they're having fun and enjoying it. Going into the clubhouse after and having a drink with the fans is what it's all about. That's what makes you want to be a footballer. We obviously want to win games every week, but if we don't it's not the end of the world. It's about getting out there, having a laugh, taking the mick out of your friends, having a pint and going home.
Ambition
I've been playing football since I was 15 so that's 21 years in the game. Whether this is my last season playing and I go into coaching or management, we'll wait and see. It depends how long my legs hold up. My little boy is six years old now. I want to go out exploring with him and my wife and chill out for a bit.
Lee Phillips factfile
Born: Penzance, 1980 (Age 36)
1996-01: A striker, Phillips made waves in Plymouth Argyle's youth set-up and was involved with the first-team aged 15, before making his debut soon after against Gillingham. Scored his first goal on the final day of the 1998-99 season at Carlisle United – the famous ‘Jimmy Glass' game. But after breaking his leg on two separate occasions his confidence was knocked and a spell at Weymouth proved the platform to get his game back on track.
2001-05: After a loan spell, Phillips' stay at Weymouth was made permanent. He went on to score 33 goals before he moved to Exeter City, along with team-mate Steve Tully.
2004-07: Helped the Grecians reach the Conference play-off final at Wembley in the 2006-07 season. Phillips put his side 1-0 ahead against Morecambe, who came back to win 2-1.
2007-08: Moved to rivals Torquay United and struck up a partnership with Tim Sills. Finished third, but were beaten in the play-off semi-finals by Exeter. Played at Wembley in the FA Trophy, where they lost to Ebbsfleet United.
2008-10: Had spells at Rushden & Diamonds and Weymouth before joining Cambridge United. Booked a third trip to Wembley in 2009 as the U's reached the play-off final, but it was heartbreak again as former club Torquay won 2-0.
2010-PRESENT: Phillips joined Bath City for their first season at Step 1 and they upset the relegation favourites tag by finishing tenth. Phillips had a loan period with Eastleigh before joining Southern League Chippenham, where he played for four seasons. Now plays for South West Peninsula side Exmouth Town.
