Phil Handford was a trialist who joined Exeter in April 1986, he played against Bristol Rovers, in a friendly and scored twice in 4-0 win, in front of 43 spectators.

Born in Chatham he started his career as an apprentice at Gillingham, joining the club in June 1980 after leaving school. In July 1982 Phil signed as a professional and went on to score twice in 36 first team appearances from 1982 to 1984.

He joined Wimbledon in August 1984, playing seven games that season, in the summer of 1985 he had a loan spell with Koparit in Finland playing 16 games for them. He returned to Wimbledon, being loaned to Crewe in January 1986, playing nine times for them before his trial with Exeter City, and despite scoring two sparkling goals on his debut in a "friendly" he did not secure a contract.

Instead he joined Maidstone for the the 1986/87 season, scoring on his debut. In the summer of 1987 Phil was sold to Welling for £2,000 spending four years there and, playing over 149 games for them and in 1990, became the player coach.

In the summer of 1991 Sittingbourne paid Welling £15,000 for him to be their player-coach. He was released by Sittingbourne at the end of December 1992 and joined Erith & Belvedere where he scored once in five appearances before signing for Margate in March 1993.