Legendary Wolves goalkeeper Phil Parkes talks about life after football once he had hung up his boots.
How did you feel after retiring?
I finished my career in America and I came back in 83 and the league was ready to fold. It was on its last legs, but now it’s come back with the MLS and it’s done brilliant. But I was playing at a time when you were never earning enough money that you could retire, so you had to get a job so you could live. A friend of mine who I played cricket with at Fordhouses Cricket Club had a roofing business and said I could go and work for him and if I didn’t like it, I hadn’t lost anything – I was there for 22 years in the end. Football-wise, I was still playing non-league, so it kept me fit.
Did it take time for your life to adjust?
It was a different way of life, going from being a footballer to being a roofer. I worked with some great lads that help you through it, and once you’ve been doing it for a bit, it comes natural, like anything.
What did you miss most about football?
It’s not so much the playing, because you get to an age when you know you’re probably too old and won’t be able to do what you used to be able to do. What you really miss is coming into the ground every day and having the craic with the lads and the camaraderie that we had.
What didn’t you miss when you retired?
There wasn’t anything that I didn’t miss. I came to a stage where I had a great three years playing non-league football, I played Sunday League for a team called Marstons, who went on to win the national Sunday Cup, but I unfortunately didn’t play in the final because my wife was ill, but I’ve got no complaints about my football career. I’ve had a great life, I’ve travelled all around the world, and there aren’t many jobs where you could do what you really enjoy and get to travel all around the world and enjoy that as well. I’m a kid from West Brom who was lucky enough to become a professional footballer.
Do you still catch up with your teammates?
We’ve got a great set of lads here at Wolves, especially with the Former Players’ Association, it’s absolutely fantastic. You’ve got my generation and then you’ve got the next generation, the likes of Bully, Thommo, Don Goodman, and they’re great lads as well. They obviously came after us, but we all get on well and meet up quite a bit as part of the FPA. We have a Wolves All Stars golf day which we’ve been doing now for probably 10 or 12 years which is a great day. It’s always the first weekend in September, and it’s already sold out for next September. We don’t charge for it, and it’s the same people who come each year because it’s such a great day. We all mix with everybody and all know each other, and it’s just fantastic to be able to do that.
Do you still watch and follow football?
I’m always up at Molineux supporting the lads. I was there for quite a few of the home games. I was also there for the Tottenham game, but the worst part about that one was that around 80 minutes, because I couldn’t see us scoring, I left the stadium to go and catch the bus! I was sat in the bus stop and somebody drove past and said it’s one-each now big man, then five minutes later another guy came past and said we’d won 2-1! Brilliant!
If you could play again now, would you?
Only for the money. I just think that it’s a completely different game, a completely different atmosphere. I don’t think I would enjoy it as much. There’s also VAR which I think has made refereeing standards worse. Something’s got to be done.
What do you hope you’re remembered for at Wolves?
That’s a tough question. I hope my Wolves career is remembered with joy. I enjoyed it, I loved playing for this football club, I had a great time, so I just hope all the supporters enjoyed it too.
This article originally featured in Wolves' official 2023/24 matchday programme. Last season's programmes are still available to purchase online through retailers Curtis Sports.
