Terry McPhiilips, a striker recently with Halifax Town, was on trial with Exeter City in July 1991. He subsequently signed for Crewe Alexandra, and after a long non-league and coaching career, briefly managed Blackpool. 

Starting his career as a youth player with Liverpool, he joined Halifax Town in 1987 and made 93 league appearances (29 goals) during a four-year stay in the West Riding. Surprisingly still looking for a club at the start of pre-season training, he arrived at St James’ Park in July but was soon on his way.

Eventually joining Crewe, he made just six league appearances before moving into non-league football with Fleetwood, Barrow, Nantwich Town, Marine, Burscough, Ashton United, Caernarfon Town and, in 1997, Bangor City.

Already working in Crewe’s academy whilst playing in non-league, he later switched to the youth set-up at Blackburn Rovers where he was later caretaker-manager of the first-team. Subsequently becoming the club’s assistant manager, he took up a similar position at Blackpool in 2016 where once again he became caretaker-manager and - in this case - briefly did the job on a full-time basis.

Thereafter he worked in various capacities at Southport and Forest Green Rovers.