Kalitsa kindly wrote this for the Indy's website in 2007 after Dean, had left the Club.
Dean’s life at Rangers started at the tender age of eight. He was already at a Development Centre
but this was the big one.
A TRIAL AT THE ACADEMY! We all arrived at Twyford to be met by Bobby Ross and Terry Springett who took
everyone’s name and their positions of play. Parents and kids all with nervous excitement.
The boys played small sided games but Dean took a kick to the head which motivated him to score a
tremendous goal.
From then on, all the coaches remembered him. The boys were given a hot meal and we were told to
wait for a letter.
It seemed to take a lifetime to arrive and when it did it was good news. Dean’s Dad rang his old school mate,
Paul Thomas an R’s fan, who was well made up, as we all were.
Bobby Ross signed Dean at Barclays (Hanger Lane) Training Ground and Terry Springett did the paper work.
I remember Bobby giving Dean a pound coin and saying, “Dean, this is your first signing on fee.”
We still have that coin safely put away in a ring box. Dean played under numerous coaches who all had their own
style but all taught him something about the game and improved him as a player.
From June to July, we waited for the fixture list. The R’s playing the likes of West Ham, Arsenal and Spurs etc.,
what a buzz!
That first Season was fantastic, beating Chelsea 3-2 with Dean scoring the winner, 5-3 at Upton Park, Dean running
out as captain and losing 13-9 to Arsenal.
He started off for two years with a coach called Mick. You either loved him or hated him but luckily for us we loved
him and so did Dean. He was a ‘shouter’ but for all the right reasons.
One of our favourite memories was when he arranged a tour to Scotland. All the parents paid for themselves because
we’ve always been a Club short of cash but we didn’t mind as it was well worth it.
We drank the Holiday Inn dry and the boys and parents bonded so well. We played Hibernian, Rangers and Dundee
and although they have the least amount of money, Hibs were the best hosts. They gave the kids goody bags and took
them all out to McDonalds for something to eat.
Rangers had one of the best training grounds that I have ever seen, it was beautiful, the only problem was that every
time we wanted a smoke, we had to leave the ground through the automated gates and stand outside which was
terrible for me!
Terry Springett made sure that Easter wasn’t forgotten as she made sure everybody had an Easter egg and arranged a
wicked quiz. I’m afraid the Parents cheated on phoning a friend which was not allowed!
During the first two years we began as an Academy, David Davies and Co. decided we could no longer afford it so we
reverted back to being a Centre of Excellence.
At this point, boys could of left as this was a change of contract but most of us remained because we loved it.
What followed was the cutting of the Satellite Centre in Kent and a lot of boys were released. This was a really sad time
as we said goodbye to lots of friends and coaches.
Luckily we were not there the day that it happened as we were on holiday but grown men were crying. Again we survived
and soldiered on.
Dean’s next coach was Andy Evans (U11’s) Yes, the same one still at Rangers running the Community scheme. He was a
smashing coach, definitely not a ‘shouter’ but much calmer and approachable to everyone.
As you know, an all round great guy. He needed more time to run the scheme and has made such a success of it.
(Part Two will follow in the near future)
Kalitsa Parrett..
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Steve Russell
- Site Admin
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- Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2021 10:25 am
-
Steve Russell
- Site Admin
- Posts: 3348
- Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2021 10:25 am
Re: From 2007: 'The Parrett Family' - Memories of QPR
And Part 2....
'Gary Waddock became the new Head of the Centre Of Excellence and brought in our next Coach. Justin Skinner.
He was the first ex-pro we had as Coach. He was what I called at the time, a ‘Super Coach’.
He had everything, he had respect from the boys, a sense of humour and used some original ideas in his coaching
sessions. I remember on one occasion when he brought along a load of broom handles and asked the boys to hold
them up and kick their legs over them.
Some of the boys couldn’t even hold the top of the handle as they were too small but did we laugh.
He had the big training balls for the boys to sit on, they loved it and we as parents enjoyed watching the training.
Another year, more boys released, less teams and mixed age groups. Gary Waddock moved up to the Reserves and
Des Bulpin took over. Dean was now playing for the U13’s and U14’s, Fitz was the Coach.
He was an experienced Coach who came from Leyton Orient. We went most of the Season unbeaten and this was
also the time when Dean made friends with a new player called Kiyan Prince.
He was raw from West Ham, a big striker with loads of goals in him. He also had a sense of humour which Dean loved
and he made us all laugh with his antics, odd hats and goofy socks. Des Bulpin left the following Season and Joe Gallen
became the new Head. We went on to have Steve Gallen as our Coach and played our games on Saturdays at Harlington.
Steve is a great Coach and brilliant with the boys and commands respect, a true professional and massive QPR fan.
He tried so hard to keep me from being cheeky and have a professional relationship with us parents but he could never
tame me and we became really good, special friends and used to have some wicked banter.
Our world stopped when we heard that Kiyan Prince had been murdered! There was grief like none of us had known before,
tears and disbelief.
We visited the school with Steve Gallen, Tina, Ray, Gary and our two boys. No words can explain this time but Joe,
Steve and Terry Springett arranged a get together with the Club’s Chaplain with all Kiyan’s team mates and parents.
We needed to be together, we needed to support one another and still we grieve. We then visited Tracy, Kiyan’s Mum,
who spent more time comforting Dean and us then herself. She is a very special lady indeed.
The funeral followed and again this was an emotional time. Liz and Paul Finney did a beautiful wreath for us to lay on Kiyan’s
grave.
We went on tour to Germany and it was fantastic to see Steve Russell and JJ make the journey to support us. They stayed in
the same hotel and I can vividly remember a couple of lively drinking sessions.
Tina became famous for her waffles and there was the day we got lost with JJ in the boot and a thunder storm like no other.
We were getting very hungry and I was trying to navigate in German!
That was a big mistake but we eventually found a McDonald’s. Ray Davenport kept saying that we would end up in Switzerland
and then we saw the sign which was only above a shop and not on the border! We made it back eventually but God knows
how?
The wine tasting was another experience! Our hotel was in a quiet location, quite posh really and all that could be heard
in the distance was loud music, singing and arms dancing out of the sun roof which was acknowledged by bemused staff and
guests upon our return.
The football against the Germans was quite a feisty affair and as you all know, they know how to dive! But we loved the Tour
and so did the boys.
When we returned, Dean thrived during this period and he was pushed up the age groups, often playing with Joe Gallen’s U18’s.
Joe started him off as a left back then left or right wing (to protect him) and eventually, when he could hold him back no more,
he played him in central midfield where he became a regular.
Joe Gallen is an outstanding Coach and caring supporter of the Youth, QPR and a special friend who was nothing but a great person
(The final part will follow very soon)
Kalitsa Parrett
'Gary Waddock became the new Head of the Centre Of Excellence and brought in our next Coach. Justin Skinner.
He was the first ex-pro we had as Coach. He was what I called at the time, a ‘Super Coach’.
He had everything, he had respect from the boys, a sense of humour and used some original ideas in his coaching
sessions. I remember on one occasion when he brought along a load of broom handles and asked the boys to hold
them up and kick their legs over them.
Some of the boys couldn’t even hold the top of the handle as they were too small but did we laugh.
He had the big training balls for the boys to sit on, they loved it and we as parents enjoyed watching the training.
Another year, more boys released, less teams and mixed age groups. Gary Waddock moved up to the Reserves and
Des Bulpin took over. Dean was now playing for the U13’s and U14’s, Fitz was the Coach.
He was an experienced Coach who came from Leyton Orient. We went most of the Season unbeaten and this was
also the time when Dean made friends with a new player called Kiyan Prince.
He was raw from West Ham, a big striker with loads of goals in him. He also had a sense of humour which Dean loved
and he made us all laugh with his antics, odd hats and goofy socks. Des Bulpin left the following Season and Joe Gallen
became the new Head. We went on to have Steve Gallen as our Coach and played our games on Saturdays at Harlington.
Steve is a great Coach and brilliant with the boys and commands respect, a true professional and massive QPR fan.
He tried so hard to keep me from being cheeky and have a professional relationship with us parents but he could never
tame me and we became really good, special friends and used to have some wicked banter.
Our world stopped when we heard that Kiyan Prince had been murdered! There was grief like none of us had known before,
tears and disbelief.
We visited the school with Steve Gallen, Tina, Ray, Gary and our two boys. No words can explain this time but Joe,
Steve and Terry Springett arranged a get together with the Club’s Chaplain with all Kiyan’s team mates and parents.
We needed to be together, we needed to support one another and still we grieve. We then visited Tracy, Kiyan’s Mum,
who spent more time comforting Dean and us then herself. She is a very special lady indeed.
The funeral followed and again this was an emotional time. Liz and Paul Finney did a beautiful wreath for us to lay on Kiyan’s
grave.
We went on tour to Germany and it was fantastic to see Steve Russell and JJ make the journey to support us. They stayed in
the same hotel and I can vividly remember a couple of lively drinking sessions.
Tina became famous for her waffles and there was the day we got lost with JJ in the boot and a thunder storm like no other.
We were getting very hungry and I was trying to navigate in German!
That was a big mistake but we eventually found a McDonald’s. Ray Davenport kept saying that we would end up in Switzerland
and then we saw the sign which was only above a shop and not on the border! We made it back eventually but God knows
how?
The wine tasting was another experience! Our hotel was in a quiet location, quite posh really and all that could be heard
in the distance was loud music, singing and arms dancing out of the sun roof which was acknowledged by bemused staff and
guests upon our return.
The football against the Germans was quite a feisty affair and as you all know, they know how to dive! But we loved the Tour
and so did the boys.
When we returned, Dean thrived during this period and he was pushed up the age groups, often playing with Joe Gallen’s U18’s.
Joe started him off as a left back then left or right wing (to protect him) and eventually, when he could hold him back no more,
he played him in central midfield where he became a regular.
Joe Gallen is an outstanding Coach and caring supporter of the Youth, QPR and a special friend who was nothing but a great person
(The final part will follow very soon)
Kalitsa Parrett
-
Steve Russell
- Site Admin
- Posts: 3348
- Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2021 10:25 am
Re: From 2007: 'The Parrett Family' - Memories of QPR'
Final part of Kalitsa's excellent article for the Indy's website in 2007......
The Parrett Family - Memories Of QPR -
What a proud day that was when we received the letter inviting us to go to the England Training Camp in Buxton.
Dean was nervous and he had to be there for a week. We drove him there and left him at the hotel.
He telephoned home every night to tell us how he was getting on. He was sharing with a lad from Liverpool and they
got on ok. That lad got injured and had to return home so Dean then had the room to himself for the remainder of
the week.
He was the only one from a Centre Of Excellence so he didn’t know any of the other boys. We collected him at the
end of the week and we asked him loads of questions, “How was it?”, “How do you think you’ve done?”,
What were the other players like?” and “What were the Coaches like?” He replied with, “I think I did ok”
We had been told that we would receive a letter but not to worry if he didn’t get in the first squad as they would all
get a game and so we waited.
The letter finally arrived, ‘Dean had made the first squad to play against Wales in the Victory Shield.’ We were ecstatic
and phoned all our friends. Terry Springett busied herself arranging the hotel and travel details.
Everybody at QPR was happy for us, we were on cloud nine. Joe and Steve Gallen spoke to Dean and congratulated him
and said, “We knew you were capable of getting into the squad.”
When the England players came out, we were so proud as were all our friends who travelled to watch him. We ran
round to the other side of the pitch to watch them sing the National anthem. We told him to sing loud and proud
(not that we needed to)
Tina and Gary started crying, we hugged and Terry took some pictures. We were both inundated with, ‘Good Luck’
text messages from our friends watching at home. Joe and Steve also travelled to the game even though they both had
games the following day.
They really are top lads, they praised him but also kept him grounded with the usual banter. How proud we all
were for Dean and QPR.
Dean was in the starting line-up for the next match against Northern Ireland. Travel arrangements were again left to
Terry, our top organiser.
Lots of friends from Rangers travelled again even some whose boys had left the Club. Again the Gallens were there
and big Alan McDonald came along plus a number of Northern Ireland R’s fans.
Seeing Steve Russell and JJ putting up that big Rangers flag with military precision was a sight to be seen! Dean
was well happy with that and told us after that the other boys couldn’t believe the support he had there.
He did himself and us proud but unfortunately he came off injured. We went back to the hotel after to celebrate
my 40th birthday with all our friends and the Rangers boys also came along for a few bevies.
The next match was the big one, the decider against the old enemy. Bobby Ross was telling Dean that he had
told the Scottish Coach to put three players on him. Dean replied that England would be too good for them.
He also promised Bob that he would wave to his grandson as the little fella had watched the last game and knew
Dean was an R’s player.
On arriving at the Ground, we sat in the wrong section and sat near Gordon Durie and Stuart McCall.
Gary and Ray made sure they sang the National anthem as loud as they could. The boys went a goal down
despite having most of the play and chances.
Dean had done well but he was still carrying a knock from the previous game. Kenny Swain told him that he had done
well over the three games and could be proud of himself. He had to sub him and Dean knew that this was the right
decision for the team but was gutted.
The one way traffic continued in the 2nd half, two great goals and the Victory Shield was retained.
A great night and great memories. Dean will always be grateful to Joe and Steve Gallen for helping him achieve
his England dream and to Terry Springett and Bobby Ross for all their support over the years.
We got to know most of the regular Rangers fans who turned out on Saturday mornings.
This is a family Club and has so much going for it, especially at Youth level. I made friends with everyone
at QPR.
Thanks to Steve Bacon who looked after us at the Training Ground. I have a special friend at QPR, Terry Springett.
She is amazing and does so many jobs, from putting out the cones to giving out kit and keeping all the paper work
up to date.
We are and always will be, supporters of this Club. Dean had a fantastic time and has many fond memories.
Good luck for the future.
Kalitsa Parrett
The Parrett Family - Memories Of QPR -
What a proud day that was when we received the letter inviting us to go to the England Training Camp in Buxton.
Dean was nervous and he had to be there for a week. We drove him there and left him at the hotel.
He telephoned home every night to tell us how he was getting on. He was sharing with a lad from Liverpool and they
got on ok. That lad got injured and had to return home so Dean then had the room to himself for the remainder of
the week.
He was the only one from a Centre Of Excellence so he didn’t know any of the other boys. We collected him at the
end of the week and we asked him loads of questions, “How was it?”, “How do you think you’ve done?”,
What were the other players like?” and “What were the Coaches like?” He replied with, “I think I did ok”
We had been told that we would receive a letter but not to worry if he didn’t get in the first squad as they would all
get a game and so we waited.
The letter finally arrived, ‘Dean had made the first squad to play against Wales in the Victory Shield.’ We were ecstatic
and phoned all our friends. Terry Springett busied herself arranging the hotel and travel details.
Everybody at QPR was happy for us, we were on cloud nine. Joe and Steve Gallen spoke to Dean and congratulated him
and said, “We knew you were capable of getting into the squad.”
When the England players came out, we were so proud as were all our friends who travelled to watch him. We ran
round to the other side of the pitch to watch them sing the National anthem. We told him to sing loud and proud
(not that we needed to)
Tina and Gary started crying, we hugged and Terry took some pictures. We were both inundated with, ‘Good Luck’
text messages from our friends watching at home. Joe and Steve also travelled to the game even though they both had
games the following day.
They really are top lads, they praised him but also kept him grounded with the usual banter. How proud we all
were for Dean and QPR.
Dean was in the starting line-up for the next match against Northern Ireland. Travel arrangements were again left to
Terry, our top organiser.
Lots of friends from Rangers travelled again even some whose boys had left the Club. Again the Gallens were there
and big Alan McDonald came along plus a number of Northern Ireland R’s fans.
Seeing Steve Russell and JJ putting up that big Rangers flag with military precision was a sight to be seen! Dean
was well happy with that and told us after that the other boys couldn’t believe the support he had there.
He did himself and us proud but unfortunately he came off injured. We went back to the hotel after to celebrate
my 40th birthday with all our friends and the Rangers boys also came along for a few bevies.
The next match was the big one, the decider against the old enemy. Bobby Ross was telling Dean that he had
told the Scottish Coach to put three players on him. Dean replied that England would be too good for them.
He also promised Bob that he would wave to his grandson as the little fella had watched the last game and knew
Dean was an R’s player.
On arriving at the Ground, we sat in the wrong section and sat near Gordon Durie and Stuart McCall.
Gary and Ray made sure they sang the National anthem as loud as they could. The boys went a goal down
despite having most of the play and chances.
Dean had done well but he was still carrying a knock from the previous game. Kenny Swain told him that he had done
well over the three games and could be proud of himself. He had to sub him and Dean knew that this was the right
decision for the team but was gutted.
The one way traffic continued in the 2nd half, two great goals and the Victory Shield was retained.
A great night and great memories. Dean will always be grateful to Joe and Steve Gallen for helping him achieve
his England dream and to Terry Springett and Bobby Ross for all their support over the years.
We got to know most of the regular Rangers fans who turned out on Saturday mornings.
This is a family Club and has so much going for it, especially at Youth level. I made friends with everyone
at QPR.
Thanks to Steve Bacon who looked after us at the Training Ground. I have a special friend at QPR, Terry Springett.
She is amazing and does so many jobs, from putting out the cones to giving out kit and keeping all the paper work
up to date.
We are and always will be, supporters of this Club. Dean had a fantastic time and has many fond memories.
Good luck for the future.
Kalitsa Parrett