
SCOTT PARKER’S eyes still shine with the memories of early morning lorry rides with his father.
Sometimes, they would journey along the Kent coastline while Parker joined his dad, Michael, on his shifts as a Heinz delivery driver — often rounded off with sweet treats of ice cream and visits to amusement arcades.
Currently at the helm of Burnley, Parker nostalgically recalls, “As a child, I was always eager for my dad to take me on the lorries.
“He’d pull me out of school a couple of times a week — probably not the wisest decision — but we’d rise at 3am to get the lorry.
“Thursdays were particularly special, as he’d take me on coastal routes — Ramsgate, Margate — and reward me with amusement park visits afterward.
“For a young child, those adventures were incredible. Those experiences forged unforgettable memories.”
These cherished moments also helped cultivate the resilience that drives him in his current role as a manager, having faced a challenging spell marked by three sackings — at Fulham, Bournemouth, and Club Brugge.
After enduring that streak of setbacks in just 19 turbulent months, many might think management wasn’t his calling — yet he successfully guided both the Cottagers and Cherries into the Premier League before those clubs ended his contracts.
His time in Belgium was brief, lasting only 69 days and encompassing just 12 matches.
He could have fallen into the ranks of disgruntled individuals complaining about perceived injustices.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Nevertheless, his sole public complaint emerged after a demoralizing 9-0 defeat to Liverpool shortly after Bournemouth’s return to the Premier League; he remarked that his squad was “ill-equipped” for the top division.
Just four days later, in August 2022, he was let go following losses of 3-0 to Arsenal and 4-0 to Manchester City.
Scott Parker discusses the challenges of coaching Fulham
When queried about why he hadn’t expressed more regarding the sackings that might have affected him profoundly, he candidly answered, “Well, in the last four months, nobody ever asked me.”
Parker, at 44, gives off the vibe that he would rather plunge off Margate’s Harbour Arm than reveal his true emotions.
Yet, for a fleeting moment, he let down his guard and admitted: “Standing on the touchline that day at Anfield was an exceptionally lonely experience.
“I felt significant disappointment with how it all concluded, and of the three, Bournemouth still stings the most. But life continues.
“The challenges we encounter and the obstacles along the way as managers are merely chapters in our journey.
“Some have knocked me down, but you rise, dust yourself off, and persist. There were certainly times when it got extremely tough — that’s for sure.
“That’s why I took a year off after Brugge; I had faced many setbacks and needed to heal, needed a break from the turmoil.
“I had to reassess and recognized long ago that while it’s easy to wallow in self-pity and negativity, I wouldn’t choose to do that.
“Not with how I was raised, not from my upbringing — the Lettsom Estate in Camberwell, inner London.
“My father was a lorry driver, and my mother a special needs teacher; that was our reality.
“It’s not a sob story, but my career represented everything for my parents considering our circumstances. Did I ever think I had exceptional talent? Not in the least.
“I never truly compared my past to where I am now. But I am clearly aware of how significantly different my life could have been.
“The cherished memories of trips to Margate are lovely — yet I also acknowledge that my father’s work ethic has profoundly shaped me.
“That’s what I embody today. I have always represented working-class values — putting in hard work at every opportunity. It’s a core aspect of my identity.
“I connect with the people at whatever club I’m with. They’re working-class individuals, just like those here at Burnley because I’m one of them.
“Being one of them drives me to do everything I can to uplift this club.”
He is indeed making notable strides; the Clarets head to Stoke today positioned in third place.
And the former West Ham and England midfielder emphasized, “Those journeys with my dad are my fondest memories due to the remarkable details of those times and places.
“The foundational values instilled in me remain strong. Though there have been ups and downs, it’s been quite the roller coaster.
“But sitting next to my father in that lorry played a pivotal role in shaping who I am today, and I take great pride in that.”