When people talk about their ‘favourite’ player it is very rare they’ll pick the best player, but instead someone they feel contributes their maximum effort to the cause.
Spirit, determination and passion to play for the club are all attributes that many people would consider the most when discussing their favourite West Ham player. For myself, this is no different and one man stands out as having all these things during my time as a West Ham fan. Three time Hammer of the Year (HOTY), Scott Parker, got what I can only call a mindboggling reception at Upton Park last Monday and one that I really think my favourite West Ham player ever did not deserve.
Parker served his time at the club during one the worst teams I’ve seen us play in the top tier of West Ham, and while it must have been extremely frustrating for him, he fought for the club week in, week out.
Being a season ticket holder at West Ham since the mid 90s, I’ve picked Parker over the others I’ve idolised such as Paolo Di Canio, Joe Cole and Carlos Tevez, for a number of different reasons. In Parker’s second season at the club, the 2008-2009 season, I was surprised to see him winning HOTY after his season was hindered by injury and the impressive performances from Rob Green. Yet, two seasons later, when he was awarded with the honour for a third time, there was no one that deserved it more. Under Zola and Grant, we came across as a club with little direction, and if there was one it was down, however Parker showed his commitment to the club when he signed a five contract in 2010, even though there were bids from Spurs and Aston Villa. He continued to perform out of his skin in a midfield that consisted of a still developing Noble, Kovac and Boa Morte throughout the 2010-2011 season. His exceptional performances were highlighted by his return to the England national team and winning the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year.
One of the main reasons Parker is my favourite player is how he played his football while he was here. Gritty, powerful and fearless, Parker was everything the West Ham faithful looked in a defensive midfielder. His hold up play in the centre of midfield was something that he became accustomed with and I would argue it was one of the greatest skills I’ve seen at Upton Park. Never shying from a tackle, Parker was an old school footballer that had no time for silly flicks or playacting, he got the ball and would look to use it in the best way to aid the team.
Passion within football players, many people would argue, is declining but Parker was an exception. Two particular examples stand out in my head, one at home to Wigan Athletic and the second away to West Brom. The Wigan game occurred during the Gianfranco Zola season and it was third game left of the season. Threatened with relegation all season and it being a must win against a fellow relegation struggling side, the atmosphere within the stadium was as tense as I can remember. At 2-2, Parker hit the winner from outside the box and the amount of emotion that was displayed really showed what the club meant to him. After an embrace with Zola and match of the match performance, that day really signalled Parker as a potential West Ham legend.
The following season, under Grant, Parker once again showed his worth at The Hawthorns in mid February 2011. ‘The captain that never was’ was praised by team mate Carlton Cole, who actually addressed him as ‘the captain’, for a team talk at half time that inspired a comeback from being 3-0 down to a 3-3 draw. Another man of the match performance, Parker’s desire for the club to stay in the Premiership was increasingly becoming more apparent. With manger Grant and the actual captain, Matt Upson, somewhat lacking influence within the dressing room, Parker brought together the dysfunctional squad.
My final reason why Parker is my favourite player ever West Ham relates to his departure. For the previous two years, Parker had given his all to keep West Ham in the league, however this is not a job for one man and he was eventually defeated. At 30 years old, he was playing the best football of career and if he wanted to retain his ambitions as a footballer he’d have to move on. I can understand why he went to Tottenham, mainly because they were the main club that wanted him, but also there were lots of incentives for him.
Playing European football, Parker was still very much in the frame for England, something he’d expressed was important to him. Perhaps even more importantly to Parker, as a family man, his family and his young children could remain in London and reportedly, it was one of his father’s dying wishes that he one day play for Spurs, his dad’s club, before he ended his career.
Lots of player’s leave for financial incentives without even considering their relationship with the fans or those around them. Parker’s exit from the club was dignified and he expressed sadness at where he had to leave the club in his transfer request and his speech after picking up his third HOTY. “I hope the fans will understand and respect my decision and I wish the club every success in their fight for promotion this season.”
I hope if anyone reads this article that booed Super Scott last Monday may consider their actions and what he actually did for the club, as I feel his contribution to the club has been the biggest I’ve known and his achievements elsewhere should be celebrated.
Worth noting that Parker took a pay cut to join spurs. He was booed because West Ham fans continue to hope that a genuine rivalry exists between them and THFC. In reality, there’s no such thing. You chant vile disgusting things about our jewish heritage, we pick up the three points and move on.
Scotty P getting booed was cringe worthy, he certainly didn’t deserve it. However, we are no different to any other fans in the country when a player goes to a direct rival only a few miles down the road. I know a few spuds fans that have commented about it, but they were vile to Sol Campbell and he gave 10 years of servive to the club. I think most of us Ammers also know that even if we had stayed up, he probably would’ve still gone to Spurs, lets not kid ourselves otherwise.
As for my favourite player, I grew up watching Cottee, brooking and devonshire but without doubt my favourite player of all time is Paolo. Am hoping he can become the manager that he promises to be and one day lead us in the premier league (certainly not yet though).
Does this mean I can now name Paul Ince as my favourite ever West Ham player?
Great article and well said! I fear you won’t get the same response from others. As for me, has to be PDC, but Parker in the running for 2nd
I didn’t boo him but forcing the move to Spurs (when other clubs were supposed to be interested – and offering us more money) after being tapped up (allegedly) by a member of the Redknapp family doesn’t endear him to me. I do appreciate his superb onfield performances but anyone apart from Spurs and he would have got a hero’s reception.
Paul, agree with every word you say, loved Parker while he was here and if he had gone anywhere else and not held us to ransom over his transfer would have been WH legend. Also didnt like the fact he was caught with Jamie Rednapp (at a Chelsea game I think) instead of supporting his own team whilst our supposedly injured. Cant fault his professionalism but certain things leave a bitter taste.
There’s only one, the late, great Bobby Moore, followed closely by Trevor Brooking, Julian Dicks and Paoul. Parker spent his career chasing the money, so despite his excellent performances for us, he will never be in my best ever selections.
My favourite West Ham player is and always will be Billy Bonds – a complete and utter legend and Parker isn’t fit to clean his boots!
Its a generational thing im afraid, and those of a younger age see players like Parker (im assuming Lewis is relatively young ?)as legends which gives us old uns a good laugh im afraid. All I can do as an old git who has seen Moore, Byrne, Hurst Peters, Brooking, Devonshire and every one since put forward a player who shouldnt even be mentioned in the same breath as Parker, THE all time hero that was William Arthur Bonds.
Now had Parker played for us for nearly 800 games and stayed for 20 years, then perhaps there is a case to be made, but, like so many before him, and like many will probably do in the future, Parker wanted out and to Spurs at that. real legendary behaviour ??? Dont think so. A very limited player that worked hard, gave his all and did his best every game…but shouldnt that be a given if you are on £50K a week?
I didnt boo or applaud because I dont care..he doesnt play for West ham anymore.
Bonzo came as a gangling 20 years old in 1967 and retired at nearly 42 years of age. Lets give thought to REAL Hammers legends like Billy and consign Parker to the history books..im getting truly sick and tired of hearing about him. He is an EX Hammer who now plays for Tottenham. Thanks and Goodbye.
The One and only Billy (Bonzo) Bonds.
No one can compere to Billy
Billy Bonds by a landslide.There will never be a football hero like him ever again.
sir bill of bonds never will forget the week before the cup final wouldnt pull out of a tackle even though his final place depended on it there will never be a west ham player as loyal as him a giant of a player
Billy, Trev, Devo, Alvin, Paolo. Commitment, skill and loyalty.
i liked billy bonds and i liked tony cottee but for me it was the terminator julian dicks