PROMISING Southend United midfielder Harry Phillips has been named the youth team player of the year.

Phillips finished ahead of runners up – prolific forward Dan Walker and centre-back Abdul Salami, – and was awarded the Tom Grace Memorial Shield.

Tom was an avid Southend United supporter and a junior member of the Trust who sadly passed away at the age of 15 in July 2007.

His father Len was in attendance to present the trophy, along with Blues youth coach Dave Huzzey, to Phillips who was delighted to have been chosen.

“I’m really happy to have won player of the year,” said Phillips.

“We have a really good group so to have won means a lot to me and I’d like to say thank you to everyone at the Shrimpers Trust for their support.

“It’s been a good season for the team and for myself as well but we’re all aware that there’s a lot of hard work ahead of us all.”

Phillips bagged 17 goals for Blues at under 18 level and also finished with 15 assists.