Hubbry Logo
Phil BoyerPhil BoyerMain
Open search
Phil Boyer
Community hub
Phil Boyer
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Phil Boyer
Phil Boyer
Phil Boyer
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Philip John Boyer (born 25 January 1949) is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker.

Key Information

He played for various clubs throughout his career and came through the academy at Derby County, leaving for York City in 1968 without making an appearance for Derby. In 1970, he signed for AFC Bournemouth before leaving for Norwich City four years later. Boyer joined Southampton in 1977 and spent three years with the club. In 1980, he joined Manchester City and was sent on loan at Hong Kong club Bulova SA in February 1982. After 1983, Boyer would spend the remainder of his playing career in non-league football.

Boyer only made one senior appearance for the England national team in 1976, becoming Norwich's first English international.

Club career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Born in Nottingham, Boyer attended Musters Road School, Nottingham, from where he joined Derby County as a trainee in August 1965.[3][4] Although he signed as a professional in November 1966, manager Brian Clough allowed him to leave the Baseball Ground in July 1968, without having made a first team appearance.[5]

York City

[edit]

After completing his apprenticeship with Derby County, Boyer moved to York City in July 1968 for a fee of £3,500.[3] In 125 appearances, Boyer scored 34 times but played an important role in creating opportunities for forward partner Ted MacDougall, with whom he was later to play at three other clubs.[6] At the end of his first season at Bootham Crescent, York successfully applied for re-election to the Fourth Division, and their fortunes then gradually improved and they achieved promotion at the end of the 1970–71 season – after Boyer had left.[7][8]

AFC Bournemouth

[edit]

After his teammate moved to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, it was only a matter of time before Cherries manager John Bond signed Boyer as well, and he successfully offered £20,000 for Boyer in December 1970.[9] Like the club he had just left, Bournemouth were also promoted – as runners-up – from the Fourth Division at the end of his first season at Dean Court, with Boyer scoring 11 league goals in 23 appearances as he once again linked up with MacDougall.[10][11]

The following season, Bournemouth finished in third place in Division 3, narrowly missing a second successive promotion, with Boyer ever-present, scoring 15 goals and helping MacDougall to score 35.[12]

Norwich City

[edit]

When Bond moved to Norwich City in November 1973, he reunited the pair when he signed MacDougall from West Ham almost immediately and then signed Boyer from Bournemouth for £145,000 in February 1974.[13][6] He made his Canaries debut against Sheffield United at Carrow Road on 9 February 1974.[citation needed]

The end of the 1973–74 season saw Norwich relegated in last place, but the following season Bond guided them back to the top flight at the first attempt and also to the 1975 League Cup final, which they lost 1–0 to Aston Villa at Wembley.[14][15] During the 1974–75 season, Boyer did not miss many matches and shared more than half of Norwich's goals with MacDougall.[5] The pairing's share was almost identical during the 1975–76 season.[5]

Southampton

[edit]

In August 1977, manager Lawrie McMenemy, who was building a team to gain promotion back to Division 1, signed Boyer for a fee of £130,000 for Southampton, who MacDougall had joined a year earlier.[5] Boyer had the task of replacing Mick Channon, who had been sold to Manchester City.[5] He made his debut against Brighton & Hove Albion at the same time as Chris Nicholl and Mike Pickering, in a team that also included Alan Ball, Nick Holmes and Steve Williams.[5][16] Boyer enjoyed a superb first season with the Saints, netting 17 goals in 41 league games which, together with MacDougall, helped Southampton gain promotion to the First Division as runners-up in Division 2 at the end of the 1977–78 season.[17]

Although he played in every league game, he struggled for goals in the top flight during the 1978–79 season, scoring seven, as well as losing his strike partner MacDougall, who had returned to Bournemouth in November 1978.[5] On 17 March 1979, Boyer again appeared on the losing side in a League Cup final, as Southampton lost 2–3 to Nottingham Forest.[18]

In the 1979–80 season he collected a return of 23 goals from 42 games, including three hat-tricks, to finish as Division One's leading scorer – again ever-present.[17] His first two hat-tricks came in successive home games, a 4–0 victory against Derby County and a 3–1 victory against Crystal Palace.[19] In November 1979, he scored two goals against then reigning European champions in a 4–1 victory against Nottingham Forest.[18] Boyer scored his third hat-trick of the season in a 5–2 victory against relegated Bristol City.[19]

Despite this return, following the arrival of Kevin Keegan in the 1980–81 season, he found it difficult to get into the team.[5] During his time at the club, he made a total of 162 appearances and scored 61 goals.[17]

Manchester City

[edit]

In November 1980, he joined Manchester City for a fee of £220,000.[5] His career at Manchester City was blighted by injury and he only made a handful of appearances, and suffered the heart-break of missing out on the 1981 FA Cup final due to injury.[6]

Later career

[edit]

In February 1982 he moved to Hong Kong, where he played for Bulova on-loan.[5][3]

He then joined Grantham after returning to the Nottingham area and made his debut in September 1983 in a Northern Premier League game at Horwich RMI, with his first goal coming the following week at home to Mossley.[4] He left Grantham towards the end of their time in the NPL to have short spells at Stamford and Shepshed Charterhouse, before manager Barry Shaw brought him back to Grantham as his assistant during the 1985–86 season.[4]

Boyer briefly followed Shaw in a management role at Harrowby United.[4]

International career

[edit]

Boyer made two England under-23 appearances before manager Don Revie called him into the senior national squad and gave him his only full cap in a 2–1 victory over Wales on 24 March 1976, thus becoming Norwich City's first English international.[5]

Personal life

[edit]

Since his retirement, he worked as a bank courier and lives in his home town, Nottingham.[5]

Honours

[edit]

Norwich City

Southampton

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Phil Boyer

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Philip John Boyer (born 25 January 1949) is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker, earning one cap for the England national team and making over 600 appearances in the Football League across a career spanning from 1968 to 1987. Boyer began his professional career as an apprentice at Derby County in 1965, turning professional in 1966 but failing to make a first-team appearance before moving to York City in 1968 for £3,500, where he scored 27 goals in 109 league matches. He then joined in December 1970 for £20,000, contributing 46 goals in 140 appearances and helping the team finish as runners-up in the in 1970–71. His form earned him a £145,000 transfer to Norwich City in February 1974, where he netted 34 goals in 166 league games, was named to the for the Second Division in 1974–75, and reached the League Cup final in 1975, which Norwich lost 1–0 to Aston Villa. In August 1977, Boyer transferred to for £130,000, forming a partnership with striker and scoring 49 goals in 138 league appearances during his three-and-a-half-year stint. He played a pivotal role in 's promotion to the First Division as Second Division runners-up in 1977–78 and became the club's top scorer with 23 goals in the 1978–79 First Division season, including three hat-tricks and a streak of goals in 10 consecutive home games. Boyer also featured in the 1979 final with , losing 2–3 to Nottingham Forest, before moving to Manchester City in November 1980 for £220,000, where he added 3 goals in 20 league matches but missed the due to injury; Manchester City drew 1–1 with Tottenham Hotspur before losing 3–2 in the replay. Later, he had a brief loan spell with Bulova FC in in 1982 and ended his playing career with non-league clubs Town (where he also served as joint manager from 1985), Stamford, and Charterhouse, retiring around 1987. On the international stage, Boyer debuted for on 24 March 1976 in a 2–1 friendly win over at the age of 27, playing the full 90 minutes as a forward in his only senior cap; he also represented the England U23 team twice. One of only three players to amass over 100 league appearances for four different clubs, Boyer was recognized in the PFA Division Three Team of the Year for 1973–74 during his Bournemouth tenure. After retiring, he worked as a courier and scouted for Town and .

Early life

Childhood and family

Philip John Boyer was born on 25 January 1949 in Nottingham, England. He grew up in the West Bridgford area of Nottingham and attended Musters Road School locally. Standing at 5 ft 8 in (173 cm), Boyer showed early promise in football through informal play on local parks, where contemporaries described him as a cut above his peers and destined for professional success. This talent paved the way for his move to organized youth football as an apprentice with Derby County in August 1965. Boyer has family connections in the area, including cousins such as Malcolm Baxter.

Youth football development

Phil Boyer began his organized football journey in the local junior leagues of , where his emerging talent as a forward caught the attention of scouts. He played in these competitions, showcasing early promise that led to his identification by professional clubs. In August 1965, at the age of 16, Boyer signed as an apprentice with County, marking his entry into professional youth development. He turned professional in November 1966, spending his time honing skills in the club's training setup, where he developed as a striker noted for his pace and instinctive goal-scoring ability. Despite this progress, Boyer did not make a senior appearance for during his tenure there. Boyer was released by Derby County in 1968 at the age of 19, under manager , who had taken charge the previous year. This decision ended his youth phase at the club and prompted his transfer to York City.

Club career

Early professional beginnings

Phil Boyer signed his first professional contract with Derby County in November 1966 but failed to make a senior appearance for the club before manager permitted his departure. In July 1968, at the age of 19, Boyer transferred to Fourth Division side York City for a fee of £3,500, marking his entry into senior professional football. He adapted swiftly to the demands of full-time professionalism, becoming a regular starter and contributing to the team's efforts amid a challenging season that saw York finish 21st and apply for re-election to the Football League, which they successfully secured. During his debut 1968–69 campaign, Boyer made 46 league appearances and scored 9 goals, including establishing himself in a productive striking partnership with , where the duo accounted for over 50% of York's goals in matches they both featured. This collaboration highlighted Boyer's role not only as a goalscorer but also as a creator of opportunities, helping to stabilize the attack during York's lower-table struggles. His consistent starting role and personal milestones, such as regular goal contributions, underscored his rapid development in the professional game. In the following 1969–70 season, Boyer continued his form with 41 league appearances and another 9 goals, aiding 's improved 13th-place finish and further solidifying the team's position in the Fourth Division. By December 1970, after adding 22 more appearances and 9 goals in the early part of the 1970–71 season, Boyer's performances—totaling 109 league appearances and 27 goals for —earned him a £20,000 move to as a step in his career progression.

Mid-career establishments

In 1970, Phil Boyer transferred to from York City for a fee of £20,000, marking a significant step in his professional development. Over the next four seasons, he made 140 league appearances and scored 46 goals, contributing substantially to the team's promotion from Division Four to Division Three in the 1970–71 season. His consistent scoring, including 15 goals in 46 appearances during the 1971–72 campaign in Division Three, helped stabilize Bournemouth in the higher tier, though the club faced challenges in pushing further up the table. Boyer moved to Norwich City in February 1974 for a club-record £145,000, reflecting his growing reputation as a reliable goalscorer. In three seasons with the Canaries in the Second Division, he recorded 34 goals in 166 league appearances, with standout performances including a 13-goal haul in the 1974–75 season that aided Norwich's mid-table consolidation. His work rate and clinical finishing as a centre-forward were pivotal in key matches, such as contributing to victories that kept the team competitive in promotion chases, though they ultimately finished just outside the top spots. During this period, Boyer earned his sole international cap in 1976, underscoring his impact at the club level. In August 1977, signed Boyer from for £130,000 to bolster their attack under manager , who was assembling a squad for promotion back to the First Division. Across three seasons, he netted 49 goals in 138 league appearances, forming a potent partnership with forwards like . His 17 goals in 41 games during the 1977–78 season were instrumental in securing second place in the Second Division and promotion, highlighted by doubles in crucial wins against teams like and Nottingham Forest. Boyer's tactical intelligence as a hardworking centre-forward, combining hold-up play with sharp finishing, proved essential to 's successful return to the top flight.

Later professional and non-league

In November 1980, Boyer transferred to Manchester City from for a fee of £220,000, aiming to bolster the club's forward line during a challenging period in the First Division. However, persistent injuries severely hampered his contribution, restricting him to just 20 league appearances and 3 goals across three seasons from 1980 to 1983. These setbacks, including recurring fitness issues that limited his training and match readiness, marked a frustrating close to his top-flight career, as he struggled to secure a regular starting place under managers and John Bond. Seeking to regain form and match exposure, Boyer was loaned to Bulova in February 1982, providing a brief but notable foray into overseas football. The move allowed him to play in the Hong Kong First Division, where he featured in several matches for the ambitious side backed by the watchmaker sponsor, though the stint lasted only a few months before he returned to City without making a significant long-term impact. This overseas experience highlighted Boyer's adaptability but underscored the physical toll of his injuries, as he was unable to translate it into a resurgence upon his return. Boyer left Manchester City at the end of the 1982–83 season and transitioned to , joining Grantham Town in July 1983—a move that represented a major signing for the Northern Counties East League club under manager Bob Duncan. His debut came in September 1983, where his experience and goal-scoring instincts helped stabilize the team's attack during the 1983–84 and 1984–85 campaigns. Following a brief spell away, Boyer had short stints with and Shepshed Charterhouse in 1985, contributing his veteran presence to these lower-tier outfits amid ongoing injury management. He then returned to Grantham Town in December 1985 as joint player-manager, guiding the club through the 1985–86 and 1986–87 seasons while still featuring on the pitch, before retiring at the end of the latter campaign. Throughout his later professional and non-league phases, Boyer's career exemplified remarkable longevity, as he amassed hundreds of league appearances and goals across multiple divisions despite repeated injury interruptions that curtailed his potential at the elite level. This resilience allowed him to mentor younger players in non-league settings and extend his involvement in the sport well into his late 30s.

International career

Youth international appearances

Phil Boyer earned two caps for the under-23 team during his time at in the mid-1970s, serving as a forward in both matches. His debut came on 18 1974, in a friendly against at in , where secured a 3-0 victory; Boyer started the game and contributed to the team's success, demonstrating his potential as a developing striker. His second appearance followed on 28 October 1975, a 1-1 draw away to at Štadión Antona Malatinského in , again starting in the forward line and helping maintain a competitive performance against a strong European side. Although he did not score in either outing, these starts highlighted his reliability and physical presence up front, key attributes for emerging talents in that era. In the , the U23 team functioned as a vital bridge in the youth international pathway, scouting and developing players primarily from Second and Third Division clubs under the oversight of the Intermediate International Selection , with 137 of its 296 capped players progressing to full senior honors. This structure emphasized competitive friendlies against international opponents to prepare prospects for senior-level demands, often featuring over-age inclusions to blend experience with youth. Boyer's limited but solid involvement underscored his trajectory toward potential senior selection, aligning with the era's focus on gradual elevation through such intermediate platforms.

Senior international debut

Phil Boyer's senior international career consisted of a single appearance for , earned during a strong scoring run at Norwich City in the 1975–76 season, where he netted 11 league goals despite the team's relegation from the First Division. Selected by manager for an experimental squad in a Welsh FA centenary friendly, Boyer became the first Norwich City player to represent at full international level. The match took place on 24 March 1976 at the in , where England secured a 2–1 victory over . Boyer started as centre-forward alongside and , playing the full 90 minutes in a side featuring seven debutants, including defenders , , and . Although he did not score—England's goals came from in the 71st minute and substitute Peter Taylor shortly after—Boyer contributed to the attacking play in a game that showcased Revie's strategy of integrating backup and youthful talent ahead of the qualifiers. Boyer's cap marked him as FA Legacy Number 914, a distinction reflecting his place among 's capped players since 1872. However, further opportunities eluded him due to intense competition from established strikers such as Keegan, Channon, and , limiting his international exposure to this solitary outing despite his consistent club form. This debut remains a notable milestone in Boyer's career, highlighting his brief elevation to the senior setup.

Personal life

Family and residences

Phil Boyer married Sonia P.R. in June 1969, with the union registered in Basford, . The couple relocated multiple times during his playing years to accommodate career moves. Following his retirement from football at the end of the 1986–87 season, Boyer and his wife settled in the area. Public details regarding children are not available, in line with the family's preference for privacy.

Post-retirement activities

After retiring from playing football at the end of the 1986-87 season following stints with non-league clubs like Grantham Town, Phil Boyer transitioned to civilian employment. He took up a long-term role as a courier in , which provided stable income in his post-career years. Boyer maintained some involvement in football through scouting positions for various Football League clubs, including Northampton Town and , where he identified promising talent. Earlier, during his non-league playing phase, he served as assistant manager at Grantham Town in the 1985-86 season under Barry Shaw and briefly managed Harrowby United afterward, though these roles concluded with his full retirement from the sport. In his later years, Boyer has lived quietly in Nottingham, rarely engaging with football circles and described by former teammate Ted MacDougall as somewhat reclusive as of 2015. Now aged 76 as of 2025, he has no publicly documented major health issues or hobbies beyond his professional pursuits.

Honours and legacy

Club achievements

During his time at Norwich City from 1974 to 1977, Phil Boyer was a key part of the team's successful 1974–75 campaign, which included reaching the Football League Cup final as runners-up. Norwich advanced through the competition by defeating teams such as Bolton Wanderers, Sheffield United, and Ipswich Town in earlier rounds, with Boyer contributing goals during the qualifying stages alongside striker Ted MacDougall. The final, held on 1 March 1975 at Wembley Stadium, resulted in a 1–0 defeat to Aston Villa, attended by 95,946 spectators, marking Norwich's first appearance in a major Wembley final. Boyer's involvement helped propel the team to a third-place finish in the Second Division that season, securing promotion back to the First Division after relegation the previous year. Boyer joined in August 1977 and immediately formed a prolific partnership with MacDougall, contributing to the club's runners-up finish in the 1977–78 Second Division and subsequent promotion to the First Division. He scored 17 goals in 41 league appearances during his debut season, helping the team accumulate 70 goals overall as they finished second behind Wanderers. This success ended Southampton's two-year stint in the second tier following their 1976 relegation. Boyer also featured in 's run to the 1978–79 final, where they lost 3–2 to Nottingham Forest. Across his club career, spanning York City, , Norwich City, , and Manchester City, Boyer's consistent goal-scoring and forward play supported multiple team promotions and competitive cup runs, including Norwich's 1974–75 ascent and 's 1977–78 return to the top flight, though without securing major trophies.

Individual records and recognition

Phil Boyer amassed 573 league appearances and 159 goals across his professional career, with notable contributions at multiple clubs in the . At York City, he recorded 109 appearances and 27 goals between 1968 and 1970; at , 140 appearances and 46 goals from 1970 to 1973, where he formed a prolific striking partnership with that accounted for over 50% of the team's goals in their shared games; at Norwich City, 166 appearances and 34 goals during 1974 to 1977; at , 138 appearances and 49 goals from 1977 to 1980, including a standout 1979-80 season where he led the First Division scoring with 23 goals; and at Manchester City, 20 appearances and 3 goals in 1980-81. Boyer earned recognition as one of the most consistent strikers in the lower and mid divisions, highlighted by his selection to the PFA Division Three Team of the Year in 1973-74 while at and the PFA Division Two Team of the Year in 1974-75 at . He became only the third player to achieve 100 league appearances for four different Football League clubs, underscoring his and adaptability. Additionally, as Norwich City's first full international, his single cap in 1976 cemented his status within the club's history. Boyer's legacy endures through retrospective accounts praising his relentless work ethic and unselfish play, particularly in tandem with MacDougall, a partnership revisited in football histories for its effectiveness across , , , and . In 2013, he was inducted into the Grantham of Fame for his post-playing contributions as manager and his earlier career impact.
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.