Scott Parker’s inclusion in a recent artist’s impression of the Boleyn Bar at the Olympic Stadium was great to see. The Fulham midfielder’s image sits proudly in the company of Bobby Moore, Trevor Brooking and Geoff Hurst - and it’s where he belongs.
I’ve never been more ashamed of some supporters than when there were boos for the former England international on his first return to Upton Park with Tottenham back in February 2013.
I’m sure it was a minority, but it was a vocal section and Parker himself admitted that it was ‘upsetting’ after he looked forward to what should have been a hero’s reception.
Parker had to remain in the Premier League to secure his place in the England squad. Had it not been for him, we would have dropped to the Championship years earlier.
He and Trevor Brooking are the only two players in our history to have managed to win ‘Hammer of the Year’ an incredible three consecutive seasons in a row. Even fan favourites Bobby Moore and Julian Dicks couldn’t manage that.
Spurs may be fierce rivals but he’s not the only legend to have transferred there. Martin Peters made the move and is remembered as one of our favourite sons whilst the likes of Michael Carrick and Paul Allen are received fondly. Many reports have it that even Bobby Moore angled for a switch to Spurs at one point, as painful as it is to say.
If you had forgotten how inspiring Parker was in his final season at Upton Park, he was placed on the shortlist for PFA Player of the Year and actually won the Football Writer’s Association Footballer of the Year whilst playing for us in the season we were relegated. That’s unprecedented recognition for a man outside the top four, let alone in the bottom three.
Follow me on Twitter @RichMaher93
I thought you meant in the bottom half of the Championship, 5 points clear of relegation, that would be correct, but not really lined up next to Legends of WHU, he was at the club for 4 years, a decent player granted, but not a Legend, and not on a par with Hurst, Moore and Brooking,
ReplyDeleteSecond tier with Fulham? The same place the Bobby Moore you mention ended up. Irrelevant where he is now, he was a hero for 3 years
DeleteWhat about Di Canio! Or Alvin Martin, Dicks, Tony Cottie, Frank McAvennie, Ray Stewart, Steve Potts even Georgie "Bruno" Paris ha ha. I loved Scotty Parker and he should be given a heroes welcome if he comes back to Upton Park but 4 seasons don't make you a legend!
ReplyDeleteHa ha just checked Frank McAvennie only had 5 seasons 40 more games though! And it's George Parris (bloody corrective text!!)
ReplyDeleteAverage player in a bad team. Got found out when he went to Tottenham and didn't exactly hold down that England spot did he? It would be a disgrace if he was lined up next to those true legends ahead of the likes of Di Canio, Dicks, Cottee...even Noble!
ReplyDeleteHello admin,
ReplyDeleteAny update on the games this weekend that had to be moved from Maracana because of Pearl Jam?
Thank you,
Nouman
Download Football Apk