Visiting Time An Uplifting Experience

Phil Parkes may be off his feet but, clearly, he is not even close to being knocked off his game.

A quiet lunchtime in Oswestry confirmed that his mind is as sharp as ever and, equally important, provided proof that that magnificent capacity to entertain through his story-telling remains very much intact.

In around the time he used to spend trying to keep another clean sheet, he regaled us with those famous tales from Los Angeles, about Waggy and Knowlesy, about the manager he and various team-mates simply call ‘McGarry’ and threw in bits about The Doog, Mike Bailey, Frank and Les Wilson among many others.

It wasn’t all Wolves or even all football. The Open golf was in progress, so that had a good airing, too, and we have the England Test team and the forthcoming Ashes tour to go at another time. We didn’t come up for air for long enough to get round to that strong alternative mutual interest on this first visit.

Hearing in advance that Lofty was in good spirits helped a great deal. So did the additional company at his bedside of John Lalley, who correctly predicted that one of his teenage heroes would have us laughing in no time.

Wolves Former Players Association chairman John Richards had again been to see his long-time pal a few days earlier and he and wife Pam had reported back positively.

Any number of other  Molineux colleagues have rallied to the cause, too….Gerry O’Hara, Phil Nicholls, Mel Eves, Gerry Taylor, John McAlle, Derek Parkin, Barry Powell, Geoff Palmer, Steve Daley, Terry Wharton, Fred Kemp, Andy Mutch and Robbie Dennison among them. And as we wrote previously, Peter Knowles turned up at New Cross to see Lofty while JR was already there.

Add to that healthy list the friends he has seen from the Lafayette, mates from the Tap and Spile in Wolverhampton city centre, a close pal of Gary Pierce’s called Wayne and all those folk from the Fordhouses area, cricket club members and others.

Apparently, there were six around his bed the day before we visited and eight on a previous occasion. Thank goodness he’s a people person!

Having placed his faith in the medical staff at a hospital in which he is very comfortable, he admitted it was a tough blow when recently told he wouldn’t walk again. 

But, having turned 78 last Monday, you could sense some relief that he was still here, holding court when there was an audience and, in our company, following events from Royal Portrush on his radio in quieter moments as well as preparing for an afternoon session in the gym.

This being peak season for summer sport, he also saw some of Wimbledon’s conclusion on TV and is one of those who still loves a newspaper, so a visitor taking in that day’s Express & Star is welcome indeed.

Phil suspects he’s going to be up in North Shropshire for a good few weeks yet, during which his specific home needs will continue to be assessed and the help that’s on hand from the PFA, Wolves FPA and the club themselves can be best channelled.

In addition, more than £6,800 is sitting in an account, to which supporters can still contibute at Crowdfunding For Good From JustGiving

Much is being done and more is planned….which is no more than such a top guy deserves.