Episode 14: Ray Parlour
More places to listen:
Ray played 15 years for Arsenal. He was there for the arrival of the great Arsene Wenger – and he would go on to bring some of the greatest players to ever grace the Premier League - Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, Patrick Viera to name a few.
In the 97-98 campaign, Ray was playing exceptionally well – maybe the best year of his career – and it was only natural that the national team – coached by that Tottenham legend – Glenn Hoddle - would give him a look.
Coach Arsene himself lobbied the coach that there is no better winger in all of England.
Glenn Hoddle was a believe in: ‘faith healing’ – and the team had an appointed faith healer – a woman named Eileen Drewery.
As Ray was on trial with the Three Lions, he had pulled his calf. And coach Hoddle sent him to see Miss Eileen for 'treatment'. Eileen sat him in the chair, walked round to his back and began rubbing Ray’s scalp. Ray being Ray goes, 'Allright Love, take a little off the the sides and the back, but leave the length on the top’ (this is a slight paraphrase, but you get the gyst)
Unbeknownst to him, Ray had deeply offended Mr Hoddle with this, and would miss out on playing in the 98 World Cup as a result.
But his smile was big as he recalled this story – as was mine – and it was a real joy to hear him tell me so many others – I hope you enjoy them as well - here on the soccerPod #14.