Supporter Liaison Officer Paul Bastard tells us more about last Saturday’s Community Champion against Slough, Colin Parker…
A few years ago, a Radio 4 documentary nominated 1973 as the UK’s most significant year of the 20th century – for its power cuts, three-day working week, a miner’s strike, the oil crisis and the State of Emergency. That same year, a local father was inducting his 4-year-old son into a life-time of support on Plainmoor’s Popside terraces. That young boy, Torquay born and bred, has been a familiar, chipper and cheery figure around our football club ever since. His name is Colin Parker and he was our Community Champion for Saturday’s game against Slough Town.
Colin spent his formative years in Chelston where his parents regaled him with tales of Tommy Northcott and the Bonds – local boy Graham and, former 1st Division Hammer, John. He later enjoyed meeting manager Cyril Knowles and popular goalkeeper “Handy” Andy Donnelly’s daughter among many TUFC people who lived near the Walnut Road shops.
A chat about Colin’s schooldays at Sherwell Valley followed by Audley Park prompts him to recall when he spent two nights sleeping rough on the grass at the top of Quinta after being thrown out by his father when they shared lodgings on Warbro Road. That same thoroughfare was the scene of his “worst football day ever” when he had to outrun rampaging Cardiff City fans in the dreaded 1980s. At the time he was helping his builder father with brickie work during the week.
Of all the players he has witnessed over 53 years supporting United, Colin picks out two as his absolute favourites: Neville Southall (“The best; a genuine man. Do you know that, when one of the players dropped and broke a music centre in the changing rooms, Neville went out and bought a new one?”) and Kevin Hill (“A wiry little bloke who would ghost into the box and jump for headers as if on springs”). With regard to chairmen and directors he was especially fond of Mike Bateson who always chatted to him “in between smoking his roll-ups – as if he couldn’t afford proper cigarettes!” He will never forget the day when the supporters’ coach broke down at the Penn Inn roundabout having only just started on its long haul to Saltergate, Chesterfield, and Mike Bateson (“a really nice man”), travelling with the team, invited Colin and a friend to travel up with them.
Another escapade was when he had an accident riding his scooter on the Paignton to Torquay Ring Road on the way to the Littlewood’s Cup 2nd Round 1st Leg match v. Spurs (‘The Dude’ Dawkins scored United’s late winner). With no mobile ‘phones in 1987, Colin abandoned his scooter on the verge and ran all the rest of the way to Plainmoor. Arriving late, he was relieved to find soon-to-retire legendary groundsman Freddie King who let him in to join the capacity crowd of about 5,000.
Fast forward to the present day and Colin has also become an ever-present helper/talisman and supporter to United’s women. From the nascent Bay Ladies at Clennon Valley, through Torquay United Ladies to Torquay United Women, Colin has attended virtually every match and many training sessions, acting as ball retriever, kit carrier, assistant to staunch women’s commentator Ray Duffy and even as motivational speech-maker at a team huddle in Swansea. He remembers star women’s player and now club director, Danni Wyatt, when she was just starting out and has seen punch-ups at Brixham, “disgraceful” behaviour at Sherborne and “ploughed fields” in the peregrinations over the last 15 years that have taken the women all over south Devon before being allowed to use Plainmoor. He speaks warmly of women’s manager Ryan Perks and appreciates the latter’s sense of humour when he told Colin to join in circuit training!
Away from football Colin is never happier than when pedalling/riding through the Devonshire countryside on one of his selection of push-bikes, scooters and electric bikes. His fold-away electric bike is ideal for train journeys to Okehampton or Barnstaple to follow the Tarka Trail, Granite Way or Wray Valley Trail. Otherwise he will take bus or train to make his annual pilgrimage to the Sidmouth Folk Festival, to go fishing in Weymouth or Lyme Regis, to attend Plymouth or Poole Speedway or to go horse racing at Newton Abbot or Haldon. Or, indeed, to enjoy a glass of his favourite cider in West Bay or Chickerell – two of his favourite haunts.
For the past 20 or so years Colin has been based in Kingskerswell but is almost constantly on the move to help out at Torquay United and to contribute his positive outlook on life. His merry countenance is a welcome antidote to modern stresses and strains. “Get on your bike”, he advises. “You’re happy then. Everyone is laughing and happy”. Such an outlook should make us all examine our priorities. Here’s a glass of natural cider to you, Colin!
