Allow me to introduce Mason Phillips. Mason is a 39-year-old former footballer, looking to cut his teeth in the world of football management.
Mason started his career in 1996, coming through Chelsea’s youth academy and making a handful of sub appearances in league and cup ties. The next few years proved to be tough, with unsuccessful loan spells in the Second Division at Luton Town and Wigan Athletic knocking Mason’s confidence. This meant a drop down to get some more games and better performances, so he spent the next two years in Division Three, trying to make a mark at Plymouth Argyle. Plymouth gave him a platform to shine, bombing up and down the right flank from his full-back position, tackling hard and providing a few assists for the front men, as Argyle finished comfortably in mid-table for two consecutive seasons.
Returning to Chelsea, it was time for Mason’s push to the first team. Having not been sent on loan for a fourth year, it looked like the Blues were ready to take a punt on the youngster and give him the game time he was craving. It didn’t work out, however, as game time was nowhere to be found, reserve and youth level football proving to be his only action, and feeling like he was playing at a lower level than he had shown he could thrive at, Mason was forced to make the tough decision to leave Chelsea at the end of his contract in search of a regular first team spot.
Mason found himself wanted in a familiar setting, with Plymouth Argyle offering to take him permanently after his impressive form during his loan spells. This lead to an incredible 8 year spell with the Pilgrims, scoring 4 goals but assisting 52 in 311 league appearances, as well as helping them to gain two promotions and stabilize in the newly renamed Championship.
Retiring in 2009 as a club legend, Mason joined the Plymouth backroom staff whilst studying for his coaching badges, helping out with the club’s youth sides and overseeing the development of some exciting young players, most notably Yannick Bolasie and Joe Mason. He did this role for 2 years, impressing many within the club, but when manager Peter Reid was sacked, and Mason failed with an application to take the hot seat, he left the club in search of his very first managerial role.
Unfortunately for Mason, the offers just didn’t come. Clubs were unwilling to take a chance on a man who had only just got his badges and had been turned down by a club where he was already comfortable. Mason wanted to take that first step out on his own, but had nowhere to go.
Fast forward to the current day, where Mason has been doing a bit of coaching work here and there, jumping around the lower divisions in the hopes that somebody may take a punt on him. Maybe there is hope though? Maybe by starting somewhere else, Mason could build a reputation and develop as a manager away from the pressure and spotlight of English football.
It worked for Graham Potter after all..
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