Phillips was presented with a special appreciation award by Motaung for his contributions to football in South Africa.

Phillips came to South Africa in 1996 an assumed the helm of the league when the Premier Soccer League was formed, as the Chiefs chairman said in his speech on Monday evening he and his Orlando Pirates counterpart Irvin Khoza came together and opted to work jointly for the forward progress of South African football.

It was with this in mind that Phillips was brought in to head the league, having been at the helm of the league for most of its eleven years Phillips has guided the PSL into becoming one of the most successful and commercially viable leagues in world football. After collecting his special award on Monday www.kaizerchiefs.com managed to throw a few questions at the out going PSL CEO.

KC.COM: Trevor, the award that the Chiefs chairman has given you, does it present the close relationship that you have had working with him since 1996 as well as your over all relationship with Chiefs.

TP: I was honoured to receive this award as well as hear that he has enjoyed working with me all these years, I must say that I too have always had an exemplary working relationship with him. He holds a very important position within the league as head of the finance committee and as everyone is aware that the finances of the league could not be any better. He has been a huge help to me over the years and he was one of the people responsible for hiring me in 1996. Overall I would say that I have had a good working relationship with him - having a good relationship with him has had a ripple effect as the PSL and Chiefs in general have always worked well together.

KC.COM: What to you, during your time at the PSL have been the most memorable moments that Kaizer Chiefs have brought you?

TP: I would say their back-to-back title winning seasons in 2003-2004 and 2004-2005, just seeing the fan supports in those two years and the euphoria surrounding those championships was really fantastic.

KC.COM: What do you feel have been your greatest personal achievements while in charge of the league?

TP: It would have to be leaving the league in a sound financial position and when I came into the position in 1996 that was one of my chief aims. Thankfully we have been able to put this league on both a stable financial and commercial footing, which I feel is an achievement of note. As well as being able to negotiate a television deal that would benefit the clubs and overall be what we feel we should be paid for our product. Now that we are in the position to re-negotiate the television deal I feel that we have come full circle and I am satisfied with what I have achieved.

KC.COM: Any thoughts of getting back into football in any other league around the world?

TP: To tell you the truth I have been offered a job in Australia but I did not even think about taking it up. I will continue living in South Africa - this is where I have made my home and for me this is it. I am hanging up my boots so to speak if my services a required in the PSL I will assist them wherever I can.

KC.COM: Finally in a couple of year’s time when you sit on your porch and think of all things Chiefs what will spring to mind?

TP: The huge brand that the team is most definitely. I don’t think that anywhere in the world you have a team that commands such support in its own country. If you look at Chiefs they are a massive brand in their own country, teams like Manchester United might be the best supported club in the world.

But if you see how many of the soccer supporting community of England supports them you would be shocked at the figures. Most of United’s fan base lies outside of the UK. Chiefs on the other hand have a huge loyal fan base like I have never seen before inside the borders of South Africa and I think this is a really phenomenal achievement. I commend the team of building itself up into the brand that it has and for the fans for being so loyal and committed to the team.