Scott Parker Attributes His Working-Class Ethic to Helping His Father, a Heinz Delivery Driver, with Early Morning Routes During His School Years.

SCOTT PARKER’S eyes sparkle with nostalgia as he recalls early morning truck rides with his father.

These excursions often saw them journeying along the Kent coastline, where Parker would accompany his dad, Michael, during his shifts as a Heinz delivery driver. The two would frequently treat themselves to delicious ice cream and spend time at amusement arcades.

1

Now the manager of Burnley, Parker fondly remembers, “As a young child, I would always plead with my dad to let me ride along in the truck.”

“He would sometimes pull me out of school a couple of times a week — probably not the best choice — but we’d get up at 3am to head out on the lorry.”

“Thursdays were especially memorable as he took me along the coastal routes — Ramsgate and Margate — and afterwards, we’d enjoy ourselves at the amusement parks.”

“For a little kid, it was absolutely amazing. Those experiences created lasting impressions.”

These cherished moments continue to ignite his ambition in his current role, especially after enduring a challenging phase characterized by three managerial dismissals — at Fulham, Bournemouth, and Club Brugge.

Having faced that tumultuous period in just 19 difficult months, many might think management wasn’t in his future. Yet, he successfully guided both the Cottagers and the Cherries into the Premier League before his time with each club came to an end.

His time in Belgium was brief, lasting only 69 days and comprising just 12 matches.

He could easily have joined the chorus of frustration over perceived injustices.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

Yet his only public expression of discontent came after a painful 9-0 defeat to Liverpool soon after Bournemouth’s return to the Premier League; he remarked that his team was “underprepared” for the league.

Just four days later, in August 2022, he was let go after defeats of 3-0 to Arsenal and 4-0 to Manchester City.

Scott Parker discusses the challenges of coaching Fulham

When asked why he hadn’t spoken out more about the sackings that had an undeniable impact on him, he honestly replied, “Well, no one ever asked me in the past four months.”

Parker, 44, seems to be someone who would rather leap off Margate’s Harbour Arm than reveal his true emotions.

However, for a brief moment, he lowered his defenses and admitted: “Being on the touchline that day at Anfield felt incredibly isolating.”

“I felt intense disappointment over how everything concluded, and out of the three, Bournemouth still hurts the most. But life carries on.”

“The trials and tribulations we face as managers are simply part of the journey.”

“Some have knocked me down, but you get back up, dust yourself off, and carry on. There were definitely times when it was particularly hard — that’s for sure.

“That’s why I took a year off after Brugge; by then, I had encountered many challenges and needed time to recover and escape the chaos.”

“I needed to reassess things and realized long ago that, while it’s okay to feel sorry for oneself and dwell on negativity, I wasn’t going to go down that path.”

“Not considering how I was raised or my 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 a sob story; my career reflects everything for my parents given our circumstances. Did I ever view myself as exceptionally talented? Not at all.”

“I never really compared my past to my current reality. However, I am fully aware of how drastically different my life could have been.”

“The treasured memories of trips to Margate are beautiful — yet I also acknowledge that my father’s strong work ethic has profoundly shaped who I am.”

“That’s what I take with me today. I have always embraced working-class principles — putting in hard work whenever possible. It’s a fundamental part of my identity.”

“I connect with the people at whatever club I’m part of. They’re working-class individuals, just like those here at Burnley, for I am one of them.”

“Being one of them drives me to do everything I can to uplift this club.”

He is also making significant strides, as the Clarets head to Stoke today in third place.

The former West Ham and England midfielder emphasized, “Those journeys with my dad remain my most cherished memories due to the intricate details of those experiences and places.”

“The core values instilled in me remain robust. While there have been ups and downs, it’s genuinely been a roller coaster.”

“But sitting next to my father in that lorry was crucial in shaping who I am today, and I take great pride in that.”