Kevin Phillips was one of the most prolific strikers of his time, with an incredible 250 career goals in 599 games, with 118 of his goals coming in a Sunderland shirt.
Kevin Phillips was more prolific with Sunderland than any other club, and by some distance too. Scoring 118 goals in 222 total games for the Black Cats, the 51-year-old’s next best tally for one club was at West Brom where he scored 46 in 81.
Fast-forward to today and the 1999/00 Premier League Golden Boot winner is trying his hand in management. Most recently, Phillips managed AFC Fylde but it proved to be another short-lived stint for the former South Shields and Hartlepool United boss.
He still has plenty of time to make it in the dugout and plenty of experience to call upon too. He played with some top players during his career and speaking back in 2015, Phillips named his fantasy Sunderland five-a-side team which features some top names from yesteryear.
Kevin Phillips names his fantasy Sunderland five-a-side team
Starting in goal, Phillips named 101-cap former Denmark international Thomas Sorensen in his side, adding: “Big imposing figure. In front of a five-a-side goal, you’re not getting past him.”
At the back, Phillips named Jody Craddock. “Signed together at Sunderland,” Phillips explained. “Spent many years, good games with him.”
Then the former Sunderland favourite went for a midfield two of Allan Johnston and Kevin Ball, who were both part of the 1998/99 First Division title-wining campaign along with Phillips at Sunderland.
Up top, Phillips went for Julio Arca before remembering that he’d left himself out of the side.
Between them, the five players have a combined 832 appearances for Sunderland (222 for Phillips, 184 for Sorensen, 156 for Craddock, 90 for Johnston, and 180 for Ball).
Who makes the current Sunderland five-a-side team?
Although Sunderland fans have been critical of Anthony Patterson; like Sorensen, he’d be very imposing in a five-a-side goal.
At the back would surely be a fit Dan Ballard, or Chris Mepham with Luke O’Nien an option for midfield, though it’d have to be Dan Neil and Jobe Bellingham.
Neil also faced criticism from Sunderland fans for his last performance in the 3-0 defeat at Coventry City, but on a fives pitch, he’d pull the strings.
Up top, it’d be a tough choice between Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor, which is a debate Regis Le Bris has faced himself over the last few weeks, but top scorer Isidor surely edges that one.
Sunderland return to action in a couple of weeks against Millwall.