STEVE Parmenter still remembers the mid-game exchange with a referee that inspired him to become one.
As he charged into the penalty area for Canvey Island, reviewing the man in black’s performance as a ‘mare’, the official Phil Crossley simply replied with, “go and learn the laws”.
So that’s what Parmenter did and over a decade later he’s now officiating in the National League and the U23 ‘Premier League 2’.
“The last game I officiated on the Premier League 2, which was Brighton v Manchester City, the observer, who comes to watch how we’re doing, it was him! Every time I see Phil I say to him it’s your fault I’m refereeing!” laughs Parmenter. “He’s such a nice lad and a really good ref.”
The fateful backchat came at a time when Canvey Island were becoming one of Non-League’s big names backed by the finance of local businessman and manager-owner Jeff King.
Parmenter, a versatile midfielder-striker, had dropped out of the Football League after playing for Bristol Rovers under Ian Holloway and joined midway through the 1998-99 season as Canvey won promotion to the Isthmian Premier.
At the turn of the millennium, the club was put on the map. They won the FA Trophy at Aston Villa, beating Forest Green Rovers 1-0, while also reaching the FA Cup second round where they lost to local rivals Southend United having seen off Port Vale after a replay following a 4-4 draw.
Distraction
Denne historien er fra April 26, 2020-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra April 26, 2020-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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SHAKERS REVEL IN MAKING HISTORY
DAVE McNabb says Bury's FA Cup heroes are proud to be writing their own chapters in club history.
WILCOX: WE FEEL COMPLETE WITH WIN
RUSS WILCOX'S verdict after watching his Gainsborough Trinity side outmuscle and outplay their hosts was that it was \"probably our most complete performance\".
CRACKER BY KABIA TOPPLES TUDORS!
ASSISTANT boss Stewart Yetton said his Truro City side were good value for their win over table-toppers Hemel Hempstead Town.
BRAKES PUT STOP ON BORO BATTLERS
SEPARATED only by goal difference before kick-off, these sides remain neck and neck in the embryonic table after playing out 90 minutes in the October sunshine that was a great advert for the division.
BOSS COTT'S GOT A REALLY GOOD THING WITH ROVERS
STEVE Cotterill hailed Forest Green Rovers’ first class performance as they produced a spirited comeback to topple fellow high-flyers Eastleigh at the Silverlake Stadium.
SKIPS STEER HEED'S SHIP
GATESHEAD captains of the past and present are playing a lead role in helping the National League club move on from the departure of FA Trophy-winning manager Rob Elliot.
FA CUP PREVIEW: SWEET! 'DREAM' DRAW IS CHANCE OF OUR LIFETIME
DAVE NORTHFIELD says minnows Biggleswade FC were like 'kids in a sweet shop' when they drew out York City in what he describes as the 'draw of a lifetime'.
PARKER'S HEART IS STILL AT HOME
FORMER England right-back Paul Parker has revealed he would never completely rule out a return to management – but says he would only do so for one of his beloved local clubs.
LOCALS RALLY TO REBUILD BRIDGE
WHEN committee members at Bamber Bridge set out to raise £30,000 to protect the club's future, they were apprehensive about the response they'd get.
RUTHLESS BEES FIND THEIR FEET
ASTERLING second-half performance resulted in league leaders Barnet brushing aside a Boston United outfit that led at the interval through Keaton Ward’s early strike.
