Cuthbert (Charlie) Phillips was born in Victoria, Monmouthshire, on 23rd June 1910. After leaving school he became a boilerman. However, he also played football for Ebbw Vale. A speedy outside-right, several Football League clubs attempted to sign him but Major Frank Buckley persuaded him to join Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1929.
Phillips was a regular scorer and in 1931 he won his first international cap for Wales against Northern Ireland. He scored on his debut and went on to play in nine more games, six as captain, for his country.
Phillips scored 18 goals in the 1931-32 season and helped Wolves win the Second Division championship.
Major Frank Buckley eventually established a very good side that included Phillips, Dai Richards, Reg Hollingsworth, Billy Barraclough, Billy Hartill, Stan Cullis, Tom Galley and Tom Smalley.
In the 1934-35 season Wolves finished in 17th place in the First Division winning only 15 of their 42 games.