Former Sunderland and Aston Villa striker started out at Baldock Town - and this week 20 years ago was hitting a brace against Poole

The Comet: Kevin Phillips on the front of a Baldock Town matchday programme. Photo: Baldock Town FCKevin Phillips on the front of a Baldock Town matchday programme. Photo: Baldock Town FC (Image: Archant)

Kevin Phillips has announced his retirement from football.

The ex-Sunderland and England striker will play his last game this weekend for Leicester City after helping the Foxes secure their recent promotion to the Premier League.

Phillips is a former Baldock Town striker having played for the north Hertfordshire team in the early 1990s. He remains the club’s record sell, having transferred to Watford for an initial £10,000 back in 1994.

Phillips joined Baldock after leaving Southampton where, as an apprentice, he was tasked with, among other things, cleaning Alan Shearer’s boots.

He spent three years at Baldock, during which time he also worked in Dixons, and this week 20 years ago he was scoring twice and missing a penalty in Town’s 3-1 win over Poole Town in the Beazer Home League Southern Division.

In December 1994 he joined Watford and would go on to play for Sunderland, Southampton, Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion, Birmingham City, Blackpool, Crystal Palace and now Leicester where he has retired aged 40.