Football legend part of UK private school’s award-winning team

Monday this week marked 40 years since the U’s beat Queens Park Rangers 3-0 in the Milk Cup final, with Mr Phillips starring in midfield.

When his playing career came to an end, Mr Phillips trained as a greenkeeper at golf courses across Oxfordshire and he has been at Cokethorpe School, near Witney, for the last nine years.

READ MORE: Memories of the U’s Milk Cup win

The school was awarded the Grounds Team of the Year 2026 by the Independent Schools Football Association, an accolade which recognises the work required to maintain the 150-acre site including nine grass rugby and football pitches, three cricket squares, six golf greens, two artificial sports pitches, and tennis courts.

Working alongside head groundsman Simon Hole, Mr Phillips makes up the two-person groundskeeping team at Cokethorpe, with a replacement deputy head groundsperson being sought.

Les Phillips, front row second left in the Milk Cup winning team (Image: Contributed)

Mr Phillips said: “We work hard and Simon is very good at his job. We know what we’ve got to do and we get it done. We’ve got a great team at Cokethorpe, and we all get on really well.

“I take pride in maintaining the pitches and helping inspire the youngsters to get involved and play a variety of sports.”

The school’s demanding sporting calendar requires constant adaptability. From rugby and hockey in the autumn term to football in the spring, followed by cricket and athletics in the summer, the grounds are in near continuous use.

Almost 40 community teams across Oxfordshire also use the pitches.

Since moving to the county to join the Yellows from Birmingham City, London-born Mr Phillips added: “I came to Oxfordshire when I was 21 and I’ve been here ever since. I’m 63 now. It’s a lovely place to live and work.”

Les Phillips before the Milk Cup final (Image: Fortitude Communications)

The career highlight of Mr Phillips’ playing days is undoubtedly the Milk Cup triumph, and United will be marking the victory during their home match against Wrexham tonight.

The former player, who scored in the second leg of the semi-final victory against Aston Villa, said: “It’s a day I’ll never forget. Walking out at Wembley in our suits before the game, we just wanted to get on the pitch and get started.

“It was a great result and a great performance. I still speak to Kevin Brock and Jeremy Charles as they live locally, but it’s been a while for some of the others, so it’ll be good to see old faces. And they will be old faces too.”

Les Phillips at Cokethorpe School near Witney (Image: Fortitude Communications)

Mr Phillips is going to be joined by a new teammate at Cokethorpe, with the school near Witney seeking to appoint a deputy head groundsperson.

The deadline for applications is noon on Thursday, April 30, with early applications encouraged.

Interviews will take place the week commencing Monday, May 4 but may be earlier for suitable candidates. Cokethorpe is looking to appoint as soon as possible.

Cokethorpe is an independent, co-educational day for children aged four to 18, at a 150-acre parkland site near Witney.