Seasons2019-20Everton News

Kieran Phillips thanks Everton physios

Michael Kenrick Tuesday, 14 July, 2020 6comments  |  Jump to last
Yorkshire lad, Kieran Phillips is finally back home again with Huddersfield Town after The Terriers gave him a 1-year contract, following his release from the Everton academy last month.


Kieran's time at Everton, since joining at age 13 from The Terriers, was blighted by a horrific knee injury in 2016 — a double fracture damaging both cartilage and bone — that surgeons were initially fearful he would never play again.

But intensive work with the Everton physios at Finch Farm over an unprecedented 2½ years of rehabilitation finally got him into playing shape once again.

However, he would only play a couple of friendlies for the Under-23s and make subs on a couple of occasions during the first half of the 2019-20 season, before he joined Jonas Lössl going back on loan to Huddersfield Town academy in January.

 

Reader Comments (6)

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Michael Kenrick
1 Posted 14/07/2020 at 11:51:24
I just have no comprehension of what that must have been like for the lad to suffer such an awful injury, go through what must have been excruciating surgery, and then such an incredible extended period of recovery — 750 days in treatment and rehabilitation, said the Echo.

The odd thing about this story is he really came back with a bang in the 2018-19 season, for the Under-18s, scoring 15 goals in total for them, to earn his 1-year professional contract that expired last month.

The odd thing is, he then hardly played a game for either the Under-18s or the Under-23s during the first half of this Covid-blighted season, before he went off on loan to Huddersfield Town's academy in January. Maybe he just couldn't cut it with the U23s?

Phill Thompson usually has some great insights on this sort of thing Phill?

Phill Thompson
2 Posted 14/07/2020 at 11:57:33
Good luck to the kid, he came back well from his horrendous injury to look really sharp at u18 level, scoring lots of goals, I believe he was playing as an overage player then. I would have liked to have seen more of him at U23s level before we let him go though, I don't think he was given much of a chance personally.I don't see them in training, but he looked like he's got enough talent to make a go of it in the lower leagues with a season of games under his belt.
Phill Thompson
3 Posted 14/07/2020 at 12:07:51
Michael, I typed my post before seeing yours. As you say he scored all them goals, but that was Aug-Dec. I'd have to check your excellent Stats but I don't think he played u18s in 2019, or very few games. Two explanations, more injuries or as he was playing overage he had special dispensation to play until January.
Either way, he's started with the U23s in August with little game time last year under his belt. So yes I'd agree he didn't cut it with the U23s, and we can't keep them all, but I just feel that others like Manasse Mampala got more of chance. I'd be delighted if he came back to prove us wrong.
Dave Abrahams
4 Posted 14/07/2020 at 12:12:51
I don't think I ever saw Keiran play for the Blues but I was aware of him and what he been and was going through, unbelievable spirit day after day mentally and physically for over two years and more, he certainly deserves to make a living out of the game, I hope he makes it at Huddersfield, best of luck to a very brave lad.
John Kavanagh
5 Posted 14/07/2020 at 17:47:02
Incredible mental strength to come back from that injury. Pleased to see him express his gratitude to those who worked hard to save his career. I hope he does well and improves as his confidence returns.

It's nice that he is so appreciative of the club and would, no doubt, have given his best efforts if ever called upon, unlike some others I could mention on 10 times the wages.

Best wishes and good luck Kieran. Hope you have a long and successful career.

Annika Herbert
6 Posted 14/07/2020 at 18:22:29
Good luck to the lad, he deserves the chance to make a real go of it. His recovery from the horrific injury he suffered was quite remarkable.
I sincerely hope all goes well for him at Huddersfield and he carves out a good career for himself.

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