Exeter City are pleased to announce the signing of goalkeeper Frankie Phillips, who has joined the club on a one-year deal.
The 18-year-old has linked up with City’s goalkeeping department to support first-team stoppers Joe Whitworth, Shaun MacDonald and Harry Lee.
Frankie, whose father Steve Phillips made over 400 appearances for Bristol Rovers and Bristol City, began his career in Liverpool’s academy before moving to Southampton, where he played until he was 16.
Since then, the stopper played locally for Willand Rovers, Bristol Manor Farm, Paulton Rovers.
Goalkeeping coach Kevin Miller shared how Frankie came to his attention: “I was messaged in the summer and asked if Frankie could come in on trial.
“He’s Steve Phillips’ boy, comes from good stock, and so he came in for a week in pre-season and did brilliant for 18 years old, worked his socks off.
Expressing his excitement, Frankie told us, “I’m absolutely delighted, I initially came here on a week’s trial which then got extended, now I’m here delighted to sign and get going.
“I’m here to gain more experience, I’ve come in from a season of men’s football last year and I’m now looking to kick on, to see how well I can do and hopefully break closer to the first team.
Frankie has already spent some time in pre-season playing for Exmouth Town, and Kevin explained how the plan is to find the young stopper more first team football.
“We’re going to get him out on loan to play at the same level he played last year for Paulton, but he’ll train full-time with us, and if anything happens to Harry or Shaun we’ll call him back to support the first team.”