david in sweden Posted 19 May, 2013 Share Posted 19 May, 2013 As we approach the last game of the season - with the anticipated departure of around a dozen squad players, I wonder how many of the current youth players may also move on the pastures new, and not " make the cut " at the end of the season. Those of us who are long in the tooth... and a little bald on top have memories of other "youngsters who have gone before, and yet still made their name in the football world. Some stories are legend ; those schoolboy / youth players like; Lawrie Sanchez, Alan Knill, Dennis Wise and Paul Tisdale - all Saints " rejects " at some time, who nevertheless found careers as players ..and even went into management. Seeing the result of the L2 play-off, I recalled the name of (the successful) Bradford City manager; Phil Parkinson who joined Saints as an 18 year old (in 1985), around the time of Lawrie Mac's departure, and who played 60+ games as a good midfielder in the Reserves, alongside other up-and-coming talents like; Craig Maskell, Mark Blake, Neil Maddison, Andy Townsend and Matthew Le Tissier (wonder what happened to him? . but they were kept on - as future talent. Sadly, Phil fell by the wayside in 1988... but then signed for Bury ...where he played 145 games, and later moved on to play over 300 matches in the Reading colours. Eventually ...after 500 League games as a player, he took up the precarious occupation of League Manager of several lower league sides; with little history, no money and seemingly - no hope, but he faced up to these challenges at Colchester; Hull, Charlton and now, most recently, Bradford City. Losing a League Cup Final, is just a bad memory compared with Bradford's new promotion to L1, (which may seem pitiful when we talk start to talk about Saints' future European ambitions,) but i think also of the likes of former Saints (like Phil) who still make a valuable contribution to the game - even at that humble level. GOOD LUCK PHIL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry the Badger Posted 19 May, 2013 Share Posted 19 May, 2013 Yes. Good luck Phil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 19 May, 2013 Share Posted 19 May, 2013 Yes. Good luck Phil. Why thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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