Rob Sawyer
To mark his contribution to Everton, football and his country, EFCHS has undertaken a project to restore the grave of league title winner Bobby Parker.
Were it not for the First World War, there is every likelihood that the name Bobby Parker would be uttered in the same breath as Dixie Dean, Tommy Lawton, Fred Geary and Bob Latchford when putting forward the club’s finest goalscorers. Alas, that terrible conflict, injuries he sustained in it and subsequent illness meant that he would fail to rescale the heights of 1914/15, when his 35 goals propelled the Toffees to the league title.
Bobby hailed from Possilpark, a northern suburb of Glasgow and made a name for himself in Junior Football in the city, earning a move to giants Rangers in 1910. Short of first team game time, he moved to Merseyside in late 1913 and soon became one of the deadliest marksmen in the business, playing in a formidable forward line with Sam Chedgzoy, Frank Jefferis, Joe Clennell and George Harrison. A modest 5’8” in height, Bobby was a master at getting his shot away early, was hard to knock off the ball, and could also drop back and distribute the ball to his wingers.
The war caused a hiatus in his professional playing career and he was then badly wounded in action in the Middle East in 1917 (a brother, David, died in action in 1916). He returned to football in 1919 but due to the passage of time and probably the lingering impacts of his wartime injury, could not rediscover the form of his glory days. He moved on to Nottingham Forest in 1921 and then joined Highland League Fraserburgh. He did enjoy great success in Dublin as trainer to Bohemian FC but, by the early 1930s, his health was in significant decline due to the advancement of MS.
He died in 1950, having – without fanfare – had some financial support from Everton through those final, painful years. He was laid to rest in Lambhill Cemetery in his home city. The grave has fallen into disrepair; the headstone is lying flat and needs repair and re-erecting.
To mark Bobby’s contribution to Everton and football, more generally, as well as acknowledging his wartime service, Everton FC Heritage Society (EFCHS) – originally prompted by member Tony Onslow – has undertaken a project to restore the grave.
The original headstone will get the TLC it needs and an additional installation will list his football clubs and military service record. The project is expected to come to in the region of £2,500, which the Society will make a contribution to. To help make up the balance, we have created a GoFundMe appeal (£1,500 target). . We’d greatly value your support through a small donation to the appeal.
Bobby Parker GoFundMe Appeal – contribution page
Bobby and his wife Jeanie never had children, although he had numerous nieces and nephews. We have contact with two great-nephews through one of Bobby’s sisters but would love to reach more family members. If you’re reading this, please get in touch by leaving a comment below. Please state if you wish this to remain private.
Here is more on Bobby on the EFCHS website. We are continuing to research his life and fill in some gaps. We’ll share new information via future updates.
Rob Sawyer
