LOCAL HERO
Phillips: My Leeds are hungry for success and Bielsa has all the right ingredients
KALVIN PHILLIPS dreams of serving up a long-awaited Premier League return for his beloved Leeds United this season, but first things first.
It is Thursday night at the Life Church on the edge of Leeds city centre and Christmas dinner is on the menu for around 65 homeless and vulnerable people courtesy of the charity Streetwise. Today’s crunch trip to Aston Villa, where victory would ensure Marcelo Bielsa’s side are the Championship’s top club at Christmas, can wait.
‘Hi, I’m Kalvin, would you like gravy with your dinner? No. Some cranberry sauce?’ asks the 23-yearold midfielder, resplendent in a Santa hat alongside team- mate Tyler Roberts.
‘Yes, we’re really happy with how the season is going, too. I really hope this could be our year. Will you see family over Christmas? Take good care of yourself.’
Phillips is centre stage, as he has been for Leeds for much of this season, his infectious smile lighting up the room. A 46-year-old man tells of how he ended up homeless and hooked on the drug Spice after the death of his wife and parents two years ago.
Phillips says: ‘I don’t think we’ve done enough of this as a football club in recent times, helping out the homeless. It’s an eye-opener and if we did do it a bit more it could bring the city together.
‘I’m from Bramley, five minutes up the road, and many people here have Leeds in their blood just like me. Some of them don’t have a family and it really hits home at this time of year. It’s good to hear their stories and make them feel warm and welcome.’ As a live band plays and bonhomie fills the air, a life on the streets suddenly seems a millions miles away.
Phillips hails from a workingclass background where the Yorkshire values of grit and determination are valued.
He remains close to many of his Leeds- supporting friends from childhood who are quick to offer their thoughts on how he has performed for Bielsa’s promotion-chasers.
Born as a triplet, Phillips’ mother Lindsay remains his biggest influence. Family matters and he reveals: ‘I had two twin sisters but one of them passed away when she was young.
‘ I’ve got a tattoo on my arm dedicated to her memory and because it was our birthday at the beginning of December, this is the time I think about her the most.
‘As a family we’re very close and my mum’s always told me “don’t ever think you’re better than you are — be grounded and proud of where you’re from”.
‘I’m in the process of buying my own house and I’ve not moved in yet but my mum is currently living with me because it saves her paying rent on where she was. It means we will all be together over Christmas. Family is everything.’
Phillips, whose tenacious performances this season have marked him out as one of the finest talents outside the top flight, joined Leeds as a 14-year-old from local side Wortley Juniors.
‘Has this been the best season of my career? I think so,’ he says. ‘I’ve played every game so far and I want to keep that up. I was a bit up and down in the previous two seasons but I think my consistency is there now.
‘If I keep working hard, I think I’ll just get better and better.’
The same could be said of Leeds, whose dramatic rise under legendary Argentine coach Bielsa has encouraged hopes of reaching the top flight for the first time since 2004.
The fallen Yorkshire giants are averaging over 32,000 at Elland Road and their loyal away following will descend on Villa Park with all their usual zeal today.
Ambition and desire pulses around the club louder than at any point since their relegation. Leeds head to Villa on the back of five straight wins and the messages from Spanish-speaking Bielsa are being heeded.
Phillips says: ‘We’re a very good side this year and the gaffer has made us believe that every day since the start of pre-season. We have to work at 100 per cent all the time in training and, if we don’t, he will tell us.
‘Ten minutes don’t go by without me hearing my name being shouted... other players have it too but I get it the most! But it’s all learning about how he wants you to be as a player.
‘He’s poured confidence into us and the language barrier isn’t too bad — we usually get the gist of what he’s saying! He’s an emotional guy but he can be funny too and is very passionate about his football.
‘ As a Leeds fan myself, I’ve always wondered, what would it be like for Leeds to be back in the Premier League?
‘I’ve dreamt of moments like this all my life. If we can carry on this run and get Leeds back to where they should be, it’ll be something I’ll cherish forever.’