Phil Parkes is a legend in both East and West London. Phil played 344 games for both QPR and West Ham in a career which spanned 21 years.

Phil did struggle during the early years of his career playing at Walsall and Wolves before moving to QPR in 1969. After just one reserve game, Parked was put straight into t he team and the he stayed helping us to promotion in 1973 and becoming an important part of the mid seventies Rangers side that few would argue is the best ever seen.

Phil was an excellent goalkeeper and one of the best ever to wear a QPR shirt, he played in Europe with Rangers and performed heroics in many games whilst superstars like Bowles and Francis got all the glory. Parkes recalls " That 75-76 Rangers team was the best I ever played in. T

he football that side played was incredible we were a much better footballing side that Liverpool who got more attention than we did." " There was an accumulation of things that made us such a good side, but I think the main thing was that a lot of players reached their peak at the same time."

"The understanding was perfect right through the team, the dressing room atmosphere was great and we had the extra confidence of international recognition for a lot of us".

He gained just one England cap which came in 1974 against Portugal. He played for his country at four levels, under 21, under 23, B and full level. He would have surely gained many more caps if it hasn't been for the fact he was playing at the same time as Peter Shilton and Ray Clemence although many felt that Parkes was a better keeper than both of those at the time.

His move across London to West Ham shocked al of Football including Phil himself. "I was very happy at the Bush and wasn't bothered about leaving. I hadn't even though about moving even though I knew one or two clubs were interested in me".

Man Utd manager Dave Sexton actually put in 6 bids for the player but saw them all turned down. Phil continues "It came as a shock to think they were prepared to let me go, I spoke to Jim Gregory and he said they didn't want to let me go but they couldn't resist the offer. It was a real wrench to leave Rangers but it was also a new challenge for me at West Ham and the first few years were fantastic."

Phil enjoyed more successes winning the FA Cup and stayed with West Ham for most of the 1980's. He left to join Ipswich in 1989 before moving into coaching. Phil was back at QPR with Gerry Francis in 1992 as a goalkeeping coach a role he enjoyed and he has continued to coach young goalkeepers ever since at a variety of clubs including Ipswich Town.