Bristolian Phil King became an Exeter City apprentice in 1984 and, after making 27 league appearances, moved on to Torquay United in 1986. Signing for Swindon Town in 1987 he went on to enjoy a 336-game Football League career with Swindon Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa and Brighton as well as playing for several other clubs on loan. He represented England at under-21 and B level.    

Phil began his career as an apprentice with Exeter City in May 1984 and turned professional in January 1985, before making his league debut in a 1-0 home win over Halifax Town on 23 February 1985. Settling into the team quickly, Phil started 15 league games - and came on once as a substitute - in what remained of the 1984/85 season.

Starting the next season in the first-team in the left-back position, Phil soon gave way to Keith Viney who had been switched back to his favoured position. Making just nine league starts - three of which were in a run at the end of the season - Phil was deemed surplus to requirements and joined Torquay United in a £3,000 deal in July 1986.

Establishing himself immediately at Plainmoor - where he scored three times in 24 league appearances - Phil’s new club made a quick profit when he was sold to Swindon Town in February 1987 for £25,000 where he scored four goals in 116 games culminating in England Under-21 and ‘B’ honours and a £400,000 move to Sheffield Wednesday in November 1989. Playing in the 1991 Football League Cup Final victory over Manchester United, he had a short loan spell with Notts County prior to joining former manager Ron Atkinson at Aston Villa for a fee of £250,000 in August 1994. A loan move to West Bromwich Albion followed as did a serious cruciate ligament injury which necessitated seventeen months of recovery. 

Phil rejoined Swindon Town on a free transfer in March 1997, and then played on loan with Blackpool before later moves to Brighton & Hove Albion and Kidderminster Harriers who he helped win the Conference in 1999/2000. Taking over the Dolphin Hotel in Swindon, he finished his playing career with brief stays at Bath City and Cinderford Town before covering Swindon Town for BBC Radio Wiltshire.