Matchday Memories: On This Day 1994 -Sky Blue Phil Helps RoI Progress In World Cup

Phil in the Irish green

Thanks to CCFC historian Steve Phelps for reminding us of a CCFC Old Boy World Cup memory (excerpted from his book ‘Coventry City On This Day’ (Pitch Publishing 2010) which points up lots of interesting Sky Blue anniversaries*). Today, Sky Blue Phil Babb burnished his international credentials with the Republic of Ireland on the World Cup stage in the USA.

The RoI had already beaten Italy 1-0 and lost to Mexico by the odd goal in three in the 1994 World Cup in the USA. This goalless draw at the Giants Stadium, East Rutherford ensured the Irish finished second in Group E and qualified for the knockouts. Sadly they went out to the Netherlands in the last 16 after a 2-0 defeat! Phil played in all four games.

Bobby at a recent Legends Day

London born Phil Babb, after an apprenticeship with Millwall, began his senior career at Bradford City in 1990 scoring an impressive 14 times in his 80 league outings. The Sky Blues paid £0.5m for the attacking minded central defender in July 1992 and Phil showed impressive form for gaffer Bobby Gould (now a CCFPA member) in our Premier League outfit of the time where he spent two seasons before moving to Liverpool on 1 September 1994 for £3.6m (the most expensive defender in Britain at the time). During his time at Highfield Road he scored four times in his 84 Sky Blues games.

Phil in the Sky Blue red!

The only goal Phil scored in 170 appearances over five seasons for the Reds was against the Sky Blues in in September 1996! After a loan spell at Tranmere Rovers (2000) he moved abroad with Sporting Clube De Portugal on a free before returning to the UK in 2002 for two seasons with Sunderland, hanging up his playing boots aged 33.

Phil won a total of 35 caps for the Irish between 1994-2002 mostly after leaving the Sky Blues. His last reported direct connection with the game was as manager of Conference South side Hayes & Yeading United between 2013-15.

A registered agent Phil has appeared both on Sky Sports and Liverpool FC‘s in-house television channel LFC TV as a pundit and reportedly is a partner in a betting advice company.

*Steve’s latest work on the Sky Blues about the 1980-81 squad ’29 Minutes From Wembley’ was published by Pitch Publishing in 2017 and all his CCFC books are available online and from all good bookshops.

Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images