Phil O'Connor

Phil O'Connor

Philip (Phil) O’CONNOR

Discarded by Southend as a youngster, Romford born Phil turned to non-League football with Bexley where the gifted winger caught the eye of Luton manager Harry Haslam who signed him for £2,000 in December 1972.

Phil made his League debut as a substitute at Carlisle later that season and made a full appearance at Oxford on the final day of that campaign. After that he failed to break through again and after a loan spell at Lincoln, where he scored on his debut, he emigrated to Australia.

He found this more to his liking and turned out for several top Australian sides over the next few years and also won caps for his new country including one against England in 1983.

Phil was only 32 when he died in a road accident in 1985.