SCOTT PARKER’S eyes glimmer with nostalgia as he reminisces about early morning truck rides alongside his father.
These trips often led them along the scenic Kent coastline, where Parker would join his dad, Michael, during his shifts as a Heinz delivery driver. The pair frequently indulged in tasty ice cream and enjoyed their time at local amusement arcades.
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Now serving as the manager of Burnley, Parker fondly reminisces, “As a child, I always begged my dad to take me along in the truck.”
“He would occasionally pull me out of school a couple of times each week — perhaps not the wisest decision — but we’d rise at 3am to set off on the lorry.”
“Thursdays were particularly unforgettable as he would take me down the coastal routes — Ramsgate and Margate — where we’d spend the day at amusement parks.”
“For a young kid, it was simply magical. Those experiences left a lasting mark.”
These beloved memories still fuel his drive in his current position, especially after navigating a tough period marked by three managerial departures — at Fulham, Bournemouth, and Club Brugge.
Having endured that turbulent stretch within just 19 difficult months, many might assume that management wasn’t his path. However, he skillfully led both the Cottagers and the Cherries into the Premier League before his tenure at each club concluded.
His time in Belgium was short-lived, lasting just 69 days and encompassing only 12 matches.
He could have easily joined the ranks of those expressing frustration over perceived injustices.
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Yet, his sole public display of dissatisfaction was after a painful 9-0 defeat to Liverpool soon after Bournemouth returned to the Premier League, where he noted that his team was “underprepared” for the league.
Merely four days later, in August 2022, he was dismissed following losses of 3-0 to Arsenal and 4-0 to Manchester City.
Scott Parker discusses the challenges of coaching Fulham
When questioned about why he hadn’t voiced more against the sackings that impacted him so greatly, he candidly replied, “Well, no one ever asked me in the past four months.”
Parker, 44, seems to be the type of person who would prefer to leap off Margate’s Harbour Arm rather than expose his true feelings.
However, for a fleeting moment, he let his guard down and confessed: “Being on the touchline that day at Anfield felt deeply isolating.”
“I was filled with intense disappointment regarding how everything ended, and out of the three, Bournemouth still stings the most. But life moves forward.”
“The challenges we confront as managers are simply part of the journey.”
“Some have knocked me down, but you rise, dust yourself off, and continue. There were undoubtedly times that were particularly tough — that’s for sure.
“That’s why I took a year off after Brugge; by then, I had faced many challenges and needed time to recuperate and step away from the chaos.”
“I had to reassess my situation and realized long ago that, while it’s okay to feel pity for oneself and focus on the negative, I wasn’t going to follow that path.”
“Not taking into account my upbringing or background — the Lettsom Estate in Camberwell, inner London.”
“My dad was a lorry driver and my mum a special needs teacher; that was our life.”
“This isn’t meant to be a sob story; my career reflects everything for my parents given our situation. Did I ever view myself as exceptionally gifted? Not at all.”
“I never truly compared my past to my current circumstances. However, I fully understand how dramatically different my life could have turned out.”
“The cherished memories of trips to Margate are wonderful — yet I also recognize that my father’s work ethic has significantly influenced who I am.”
“That’s what I carry with me today. I have always embraced working-class values — putting in hard work whenever possible. It’s an essential aspect of my identity.”
“I connect with the people at whichever club I’m part of. They’re working-class individuals, much like those here at Burnley, for I am one of them.”
“Being one of them motivates me to do everything I can to elevate this club.”
He is also making impressive progress, as the Clarets head to Stoke today in third place.
The former West Ham and England midfielder stated, “Those journeys with my dad are my most treasured memories, given the intricate details of those experiences and places.”
“The core values instilled in me are still strong. While there have been ups and downs, it’s genuinely been a rollercoaster.”
“But riding alongside my father in that lorry was pivotal in shaping who I am today, and I take great pride in that.”
