Ed. note — Somewhere along the line this gentleman got it into his head that I said Parlour was rubbish. I don’t recall saying that recently - though I believe it to be true. I do appreciate Ray’s effort and he has been every bit the Arsenal man and for that I do thank him. I also agree with this post regarding the ‘behind the scenes’ men who are also deserving of praise…
Before you called someone useless look at yourself first and asked will I have done any better. Yes, I believe in Freedom of Speech but it must come with facts and not fiction. I don?t see any bigger Gunner in the current squad than Romford Pele. He knows a thing or two about Pride, Team Spirit and Passion and it makes me laugh when someone called him useless.
Arsenal FC have always been big, but in the past five years we?ve really put ourselves on the map in Europe and we?ve become one of the best teams in the world. Thanks to Mr. Wenger but without Mr. Dein and all the guys working at the back office we won?t be here. Some league chairmen are there to make profit but these guys are building a future Arsenal.
Despite the regular influx of big name signings into the squad, Arsene Wenger has stayed loyal to the determined and talented Parlour and the boy from Romford continues to grow as a player as he moves into his thirties.
Now in his 12th season with Arsenal, Parlour played a big role in Arsenal’s Double winning season in 1997/98 with his ability to play in central midfield or the right wing as required, and was one of Arsene Wenger’s most consistent performers. He followed up this impressive season by being voted club Player of the Year in 1998/99 - an accolade given by the supporters.
When you are good everyone wants to be part of your success. There are too many so-called fans and gunners with no cure of Arsenal. I have said some people are not good at times but how do you call Parlour ?useless?? Some of these guys just follow a good team and nothing to do with Arsenal.
Ray Parlour has probably not scored as many goals as he should have done from his midfield role but his wonderful opening strike against Chelsea in Arsenal’s FA Cup triumph was one of the best goals scored in an FA cup.
Yes, without the French stars Arsenal will be Arsenal and not a one-man team. I loved Henry but about time we hear about some of the currents heroes. Parlour, DB10, Monkey Head, Pat Rice, Eddie Niedzwiecki, Liam Brady, Gary Lewin, Steve Rowley.
And Finals without the leaderships of Peter Hill-Wood, Danny Fiszman, Dein and the Board we would have being another Tottenham. Not to forget Arsenal is not a PLC.
10 Responses to “Forgotten Heroes and Gunners”
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February 25th, 2004 at 10:09 pm
Nobody can question Ray Parlour’s heart, determination, and resolve. That is fact. His skills?
That’s definitely up for debate. A “TEAM” needs many components to be great. Not all superstars, but role players as well. Parlour fills a need and a role. As does Gilberto, who has been ripped by many on this forum. There have been contributions by just about everyone who has put the shirt on this season. Its been a pretty damned amazing ride so far… and I don’t think there needs to be any bashing of ANY player. Why not just enjoy the magnificent show we are putting on?
There are 2 sides to every story / debate. That goes for just about anyone you mentioned. Including Mr.Dein. (as his story is told in the book: REBELS FOR THE CAUSE. He has not always been the darling of Arsenal supporters.)
Enjoy the team. Long may this run continue.
February 25th, 2004 at 10:22 pm
Thanks for calling me a Gentleman after been called an English yob and you name it.
Anyway I didn’t even notice you calling Ray useless. I was talking about a guy name DannyT . His chap refer to Parlour twice as useless in his comments.
Ray might not be playing well but to called someone with 12 years service useless is just a big joke.
February 25th, 2004 at 11:25 pm
Nice post, well said. We need more gooners like you, not some plastic fan.
And to the guy who said Palour is useless, why do you think Wenger is still playing him constantly ? Is that mean Wenger is useless too ? Are you saying that you are better at judging players’ ability than Arsene Wenger ? Please…
February 25th, 2004 at 11:27 pm
Ray Parlour is far from the most skilled player Arsenal have. But he has “IT”. It being that something extra, that many of today’s players don’t have. That desire, grit, or heart that makes him a sort of throwback to an earlier era. He’s a contributer to the squad, no doubt.
February 26th, 2004 at 12:03 am
What a shame for someone to label the current long serving Gooner ?useless?. It shows what team some fans support and not Arsenal. I wonder whether if this site is all about glory hunters. Good post and I hope to read stuff from real gooners.
It is bang out of order and unacceptable whether he?s a good player, bad player or whatever. It is deplorable for an Arsenal fans to stoop so low. I hope the culprit is removed from this site. My first comment but you are disgracing US Gooners with comments like that
February 26th, 2004 at 7:02 am
Ray Parlour is well respected by the supporters at Arsenal Stadium.When too many players on the pitch are more concerned with doing flicks,tricks and passing the ball sideways,Ray gets the ball and drives the team forward.A real “North and South” runner.The next time you watch an Arsenal game from Highbury listen to the cheers if Ray comes on as a substitute.Ooo,Ahh,Ray Parlour!!!
February 26th, 2004 at 11:11 am
It leads me to say what game some Americans watch. Nonsense some fans just lacks History. How useless can that person be? What a loser. I don?t think even the Totts will go that low. 10 years from now maybe he will be saying Henry was useless I guess.
To call any Arsenal player useless is beyond me but I hope that person did a bit of research first on what Parlour had done for the club. Arsenal America, we can do better than this. A very nice post is mess up by one silly comments and I don?t see what we achieve if others wants to shock or write for the sake of writing. Gunners behaving like complete freaks
February 26th, 2004 at 12:13 pm
I was at my first match at Highbury last August v. Villa, and the team was frankly, pretty flat. So Wenger brings on the Rayzor. His impact was immediately felt on and off the pitch. He went out there and hustled his ass off. He decided a one goal advantage was not enough and whenever he got the ball he went forward. He raised the tempo of the match, got Paddy refocused, and linked up with Bergkamp on some great forward movement.
I was ambivalent about Parlour before that performance. No Longer!
February 26th, 2004 at 12:45 pm
Seriously it does not come as a great surprise to hear this if you read some of comments posted here. Lots of numpties wants to be part of a winning team. It seems unethical to called Parlour useless special his loved for the club since a schoolboy. Another ?kid? not a fan I guess chatting rubbish after seeing Henry and Co. Most of these ?kids? fans will move on as soon as the Henrys? and Wenger are gone.
Sooner or later the famous back 5 if that ?kid? fan knows who they are will be seen as useless. Parlour is the only player left to play alone the fav 5. As someone put it, these glory hunters and will move on if Arsenal was a mid table team.
February 26th, 2004 at 1:06 pm
Ray has the smallest bollocks in the football league. Why? because they only have a short time to grow back after he has run them off.
When we have a game, especially in Europe, when we need players to roll their sleeves up and get stuck in, he’s the man. No-one is better than Ray. Ray has the ability to change a game, not always with a spectacular goal or amazing pass. But his enthusiasm for the fight rubs off on other players not up for it.
When Ray finally hangs up his boots, he will be sorely missed.
Get well soon. Cheers.