The end of a transfer window doesn’t have to mean the end of comings and goings – as the signature of forward Matt Phillips demonstrated in February 2026. His arrival may have been just shy of two weeks after the end of the standard January window. But the veteran player had been allowed to leave Oxford United at the start of February. A free agent, then, and Boro’s to swoop in for; Alex Revell‘s side enduring a well-documented struggle to score goals. Not that we’d have welcomed Phillips with the acute expectation he’d solve all woes.
His deal with us took him up to the end of the 2025-26 League One campaign at first. As he was essentially in the last knockings of his career at the time (yeah, just 34-years-old!), that approach seemed wise. Any further extension to an initial period would undoubtedly come down to goals scored and contributions made. Perhaps that’s a bit self-evident? Either way, Phillips was certainly equipped with the know-how and ability to make a positive impression on our fortunes. You don’t make *that* many appearances in the Football League otherwise.
Matt Phillips: Before Boro’
How many outings in the Football League is it? Well, at least 450-odd. He started out at Wycombe Wanderers in 1999; part of their youth set-up. With the Chairboys, Phillips turned pro in 2008 and broke into their first team. Indeed, there was a bit of a starring role in their 2008-09 promotion campaign. In 2010, he moved to Blackpool – then of the Premier League and spent three years there; time that included a loan stint at Sheffield United. There’d also be notable spells at both QPR and, to a larger extent, West Brom. Indeed, there was more Premier League time for Phillips while he was with the Baggies. After eight years there, however, he was let go in 2024.
That moment gave Oxford United the chance to move in and sign the forward, having recently won promotion up to the Championship. It doesn’t appear game time was in abundance during his 18 months at the Kassam Stadium. And that is perhaps why he had the chance to depart by mutual consent in early 2026.
