Dave Parker

[sprout]

a fantastic bloke & terrible terrible news - Our club will not be the same without him

RIP Dave

[stevelynch]

Since I spoke to Sheila last night when she told me the sad news I have been in a state of shock really as
this has certainly come out of the blue. But at least it happened in a place he loved so much "the grove" where
he spent hours upon hours tirelessly working cleaning painting and generally getting stuck in to help around the place with the others to keep the club a respectable place for people to come.
Whatever time of day I would get to the ground Dave would normally be there whether there was a game on or not, and I would make a point of finding him at home games for a chat and catch up on the latest issues in the world that he would have an opinion on which would always make me smile. Recently at the last home game while stood next to him I somehow got involved in a shouting match with the away team manager who had said something to Dave that I took offence to! so I joked with him that I wouldnt stand with him again as he gets me in to trouble! and the sad part is that I wont get chance to now!
The one thing I loved about Dave was he said it like it was there was no dressing it up he was a down to earth hard working guy who had time for everyone (well almost everyone )

The grove will not be the same without him.

[JohnC]

Shocked! Sad! It is a cruel world. Another true supporter and friend taken away from us.

As previous posts said he was always smiling and laughing home and away even when having a grumble.


Quick Story. (I am sure we all have many),

Many years ago on an away trip to Stamford a lot of us walked into the town to take in the delights of the chippy Dave too. On the way back to the match we passed a hairdressers where two ladies were cleaning the window from the street side. Dave stopped took off his cap and started to wipe the Window with it. The people inside and the two ladies outside looked and did not know what to say. I said "I blame care in the community". Ever since (even thou it was probably 8 years ago) Dave used to joke about it at away matches.

Thoughts are with his family.

God bless you Dave and R.I.P.

[andy]

Desperately sad news. Have known Dave for a good few years now as he lived at the bottom of my road, (i had to suffer him there AND down the match ). He will be missed by everyone he ever came into contact with, a real character. He always had time for a word with everyone, if he wasn't rabbiting at the Grove he would be rabbiting in the street. I even remember him painting my next door neighbours' house and rabbiting to every passer by from the top of his ladder! As Steve has said, he always said it as it was, and as well as giving out mercilous stick, he would take it on the chin just as happily. I'll keep fighting our corner mate when Ken's giving 'Brummies' stick, but it won't be quite the same now. I dont think the Grove will be for quite a while.
God Bless.

[Jamie]

I too am in shock.

Although I will have know Dave for alot less time than most, my time working for, watching, and coaching at Halesowen was made much more enjoyable by many people, but Dave was one the best. Always with a cheeky quip about everything and anything, he was always about the club doing something. Cleaning, painting, or chassing out unsavoury custodians of the club! The last bit would be my favourite memory, but I probably shouldn't go into more detail.

Despite coming in as an outsider - and a southerner as well! Dave was one of the first to break forward from others and come and speak to me, and in a way welcome me in. He truly was a gent, and I will miss not being able to say hello to him when I next visit the Grove.

A memory from me, would be without fail his ongoing argument from the Brummie v Black Country debate... Dave would always say that the Black Country people may have made all the parts for cars, but that because they were so to thick to do anything with them, it was left to the Brummies to put the parts together... Along those lines anyway.

I am sure he will be up there watching down on the Grove, sitting next to his good friend Vince... I can picture them now like the two grumps from the Muppetts show. To lovable gents sadly no longer with us.

Gone but not forgotten. Thanks for being there.

RIP Dave.

Regards,

Jamie Marler

[gingeryeltz]

A very sad loss indeed - Dave was a cracking Character and will be sorely missed by many at the Grove.

I have fond memories of him - he always sat at the back of the coach and did he enjoy a moan!
As a fellow Brummie I enjoyed his banter with Yam Yam's - he was never nasty but very honest and he had a wicked sense of humour.

Although we all have had a moan about losses on the pitch this season we have had our fair share off the pitch too - especially since Christmas.

R.I.P. Dave (Nosey) - yow aye arf bin a gud un, aye ya?

[Yeltzsnapper]

Dave was one on a million I remember the day at Stamford well george formby would have been proud of him that day always had a laugh and a joke with everyone he met a true football fan in every sense of the word 'Nosey R I P

[Blueyeltz]

The first I heard of the news it completely shocked me, It was as if somebody had just switched a light off over the Grove and left us all in Darkness. I remember that trip to Stamford John C, and can never ever forget that funny moment when Dave decided to take he's cap off and pretend to clean the windows.

Dave loved the Villa and also loved the Yeltz, he was always cheerful and never failed to make anybody laugh or walk away without a smile.

Goodnight and godbless Dave. rip.

[chrisdavis]

I've not posted on the Halesowen Town forum for some while, but having heard of the sad news regarding Dave I felt I had to.

Reading the tributes on this thread it is pretty clear that not one person had a bad word to say about him. A trait that many of us will never achieve, no matter what we do or how hard we try, but to Dave it all came effortlessly. It appears that many others were captivated by his quirky anecdotes that certainly brightened up a long away journey. The return coach ride from Folkestone after being all but condemned to relegation, for myself was certainly made a lot easier in Dave's company!

But to me his kindness made him the true gentleman. I'll always remember, being an eighteen year old and Dave going out of his way to drop me off at my doorstep at 2am following a midweek away trip to Crawley Town.

Went to the game at Stourport on Monday and never got the chance for a chat - but then hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Take care my friend, I bet the 9 back to the Hollybush on a Saturday afternoon will never be the same again.

Chris

[owen]

Been away all week , just sat down to see what was going on at the club and saw the tragic news . I even phoned Andy in case there were two Dave Parkers.

Dave knew how to wind people up , not least me , but never with any mallice , and could take a joke with the best . He will be sadly missed , I'm sure he spoke to every person at the ground every game , and they all knew him by name.

Bye Dave , you always said you would never be allowed into heaven , but I'm certain you are there bending St Peter's ear about the standard of decorating there and how it was always better in the sixties.