Phil Turnbull

Club career Hartlepool United Turnbull joined the Hartlepool United youth system in 2003 and was a member of the teams enjoying successful Dallas Cup campaigns in 2004 and 2005. He began to establish himself in the reserve team over the next couple of years, while still with the youth team. making his debut in a 0–0 home draw with Radcliffe Borough on 17 December. and made 11 appearances for the club.

York City He was signed by Conference Premier club York City on 6 July 2007. A dislocated shoulder picked up in a pre-season friendly against Frickley Athletic in July 2007 resulted in a six-month lay-off with injury. His York debut came on 12 January 2008 as a 66th-minute substitute in York's 0–0 draw at home to Grays Athletic in the FA Trophy second round.

Gateshead Having failed to establish himself in the York team under manager Colin Walker, He agreed a permanent contract with Gateshead on 11 March 2008 after he was released by York. He scored his first career goal on 1 April 2008 in Gateshead's 2–0 win over Prescot Cables at Valerie Park. Turnbull finished the season with 18 appearances and 1 goal for Gateshead as they achieved promotion to the Conference North via the play-offs. Turnbull made his 300th appearance for Gateshead on 21 December 2013 in a 4–2 defeat away to Luton Town. He left Gateshead by mutual consent on 29 June 2015 to become a physical education teacher at a school in Sunderland.

Darlington Turnbull moved into part-time football when signing for newly promoted Northern Premier League Premier Division club Darlington on 29 June 2015. He played 35 of Darlington's 46 league matches in his first season scoring his first Darlington goal in a 2–0 home win over Gloucester City on 14 January 2017. Although finishing in a play-off position, Darlington were denied entry to the play-offs due to their Blackwell Meadows ground not meeting seating requirements.

On 5 October 2017, Turnbull and Gary Brown were appointed joint caretaker managers of Darlington. They remained in charge until Tommy Wright was appointed manager, achieving their only victory in their third and final match in charge on 21 October 2017 against Bradford Park Avenue.

South Shields On 25 May 2018, Turnbull left Darlington to join his home-town team South Shields. He made 94 appearances in all competitions before leaving after the 2020–21 season when the end of his contract coincided with the club moving to a full-time training structure.

Dunston UTS Turnbull remained in part-time football signing for Northern Premier League Division One East club Dunston UTS in May 2021. In May 2024, he signed a new one-year deal with the club.

International career Turnbull was called into the England under-18 squad in September 2004.

Style of play Turnbull plays as a central midfielder and is comfortable playing with either foot.

Career statistics

Managerial statistics

+ Managerial record by team and tenureTeamFromToRecordDarlington (joint caretaker)5 October 201721 October 2017 Total—

Honours Gateshead Northern Premier League Premier Division play-offs: 2007–08