Phillips determined to keep hold of his number one spot

Steve Phillips has told the club’s official web-site that he is feels fitter than ever and is determined to hold onto the number one spot at the club. Phillips missed last pre-season after a growth as found on his knee but after overcoming that scare he regained his place to play 25 matches and become a winner at Wembley yet again in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Phillips, 35, is closing in on 600 first class appearances in his career and after recently participating in the London-to-Paris cycle ride for charity, he feels physically at his best.

Steve told crewealex.net: “People say that goalkeepers do not have to be as fit as outfield players but I don’t agree with that. We are still professional athletes and have to be as strong, fit and quick as we can be.

“I have never been one to worry too much about the fitness work because I look after myself throughout the summer and know that you have to be in peak condition for when the pre-season stuff starts.

“I may be 35 now but I will be flat out again from the start until the end of the season. The competition for places is something I enjoy and thrive on. I have always been ultra-competitive and I enjoy that challenge. The other two lads here (Alan Martin and Ben Garratt) know that I want to be the number one.

“At the moment no-one knows who the number one goalkeeper is and rightly so. The goalkeeper who does the best over the pre-season will start the season against Rotherham. The two lads will know they will have put in some top performances to get in ahead of me that is for sure.

“I feel as fit as I’ve ever done. The cycling has really helped with that. The body is not creaking too badly and I don’t feel that my body in deteriorating. I get aches and pains like everyone else, but I was getting that at 25.

Steve added: “I will keep going and I feel have a few years left in me yet. There will be a time when someone will tell me they don’t want me, but that doesn’t mean I will stop playing and not look somewhere else if I feel okay.”