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10/07/2021 12:00 AMWhen Neil Phillips accepted the position as head coach of the Hand boys’ soccer team, he understood the expectations that came with the job.
The Tigers won the SCC Division B title with perfect record under former coach Greg Cumpstone last year. Consequently, the pressure was on Neil to deliver similar results in 2021.
“My expectation for the season is to continue to develop the players and program. I want to continue the Hand boys’ soccer team’s success,” says Neil. “I aim to give my very best to the team, and I hope it translates on the field when they play. I think we are very capable of having a successful season. It’s started really well.”
Hand is off to a solid start with a record of 7-0-1 and has outscored its opponents by a 42-5 differential thus far this season. Neil credits his athletes for working hard at every practice and playing with great determination in each game.
“I think my relationship with the players is really good. They give me everything in practice. They are taking on the coaching instructions and, before and after every practice, every player will fist bump me,” Neil says. “I think we have a really good relationship at this time. From my end, I absolutely love working with the players.”
Neil, 44, grew up playing soccer in his hometown of Oxford in the United Kingdom. He moved to the United States on a working visa in 1999 and became a permanent resident in 2004. Neil currently lives in Wallingford with his fiancé Lisa and two children, James and Anthony.
“I have been coaching in the USA since I arrived,” says Neil. “I came here originally to coach on summer camps with [NOGA Soccer]. The final week before flying home, I worked in Easton. The club inquired to the company to extend my visa and have my coach in their travel program, which I did.”
Neil worked in Easton for about 15 years. During that time, he also coached the varsity girls’ soccer team at Joel Barlow High School in Redding. Whether he’s playing, watching, or coaching, soccer is big-time passion for Neil.
“I’ve grown up with soccer all my life. I love it. I played it all my life, but was also a season ticket holder for many years at my beloved Derby County,” Neil says. “Watching Derby County, there has been many ups and downs—more downs I think. But going to a stadium, chanting, watching top pros, and learning from them is awesome.”
One of Neil’s favorite coaching memories came during his first season as head coach of the girls’ soccer squad at Barlow. That year, Neil guided Barlow on a memorable playoff run that saw the team advance all the way to the state final.
“It’s really tough to pick out my one favorite moment as a coach. I’d say the Joel Barlow State Tournament my first year, getting to the state final,” says Neil. “How we got there was amazing. Had we won the final, it would have been a Disney movie in the making.”
Neil is constantly looking for ways to improve as a coach. Neil knows that there’s always room for improvement, and he watches a lot of film in order to learn from mistakes in previous games.
“To improve my game, I continue to learn. I will still watch coaching sessions conducted with my pro coaches,” Neil says. “I watch and listen to a lot of soccer and find listening to ex-players’ and coaches’ opinions on certain parts of the game important, whether it be about individual players or team tactics. This season, not knowing the SCC, I have gone and watched every team play to try and get a perspective on the conference.”
Aside from soccer, Neil also enjoys cooking and listening to music. He recently got into DJ’ing and enjoys mixing tunes.
“I love cooking. I am no Gordon Ramsey, but I do present some fine dishes,” says Neil. “I also love music. A few months back, I bought DJ mixing equipment, so I’m looking to have a go at that.”