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‘Parke Knows Best’…
Alex Gough reflects ...
At the beginning of 2007 there will be yet another name missing from
the PSA World Ranking list… it will be a sad day.
Mr Simon Armour Parke (sorry Simon, had to give you your full
title) will no longer be competing for world ranking points and
titles.
People make life long relationships in sport even though they are
competing ferociously against each other and squash is one of the
most intense there is for this.
 22
years ago in 1984 Simon hammered me in a junior tournament for the
grand total of two points. He was being generous. He was already
well on his way to an incredibly successful junior career and soon
to be English senior No1 at the age of 19. I did not realise then
that this cocky little upstart would turn out to be one of my best
mates.
After crossing paths on and off for 10 years it was not until we
both moved to Nottingham within a month of each other in 1994 that
we started to really get on. This was a great time to be training in
Nottingham.
Peter Marshall was number two in the world behind Jansher and was at
the club hammering balls up and down the wall most of the day, every
day. Jason Nicolle was top 16 in the world and Parkey was looking to
get back into the top ten again. Another great friend, Hadrian
Stiff, moved there at this time and all we could do, with these guys
around, was improve.
Myself and Simon had many big games even back then and I ‘luckily’
managed my first win over him in Egypt in 1996 when I was a
qualifier and he was seeded in the top 8… he was not a happy bunny
but he took it on the chin as you would expect.
Looking back over our matches on the World circuit I think we ended
up with 4 wins a piece. I view this as one of my best achievements
in squash. Our most ridiculous match came in 2000 in Salt Lake City
where Parkey won 17-14 in the 5th… anyone who was there will tell
you that the amount of work we both ended up doing was just not
right. I never want to feel that tired again in my life.
To be on a par, head to head, with someone who has had so many great
victories in the game makes me quite proud. The fact that he is such
a great friend makes me even prouder.
Anyway enough about Squash, what about the man, three words…
Stubborn, stubborn, stubborn.
Only kidding…
As we were so close in Nottingham Simon knew me a little too well
and for this reason whenever we went to a tournament he point blank
refused to share a room with me. He still won’t tell me why
(although I have my theories - me jumping up and down on his bed at
3 in the morning after losing springs to mind but I’m not 100% sure)
and he refers to this as ‘Gough/Parke- the Barren Years’.
Anyway, when he finally stopped taking himself quite so seriously we
became inseparable at tournaments. It was great having someone plan
out the day. He was quite meticulous about it… he would sort when we
would practise, when we would have lunch, when we would have a
Starbucks, when we would go to the local cinema, when we would have
an afternoon nap, when we were playing… you get the picture. You
could say he is a little organised.
For all this control he is one of the main reasons why I have also
ended up still playing the world circuit and it is definitely going
to be harder next year continuing without him.
Parkey, Parko, Parke Knows Best, Simon (occasionally) Good Luck in
the next chapter of your life and congratulations on one hell of a
career.
Gougho, Geoff (long story), Goughy, Alex
(occasionally) x
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Words from his mates
& family
ALSO:
Parky and his Mum
As an incredibly talented 12 year old, Simon always said he
would play on until his mid-thirties and considering his
huge appetite for running a ball down, I thought it was one
of the most ridiculous things that he ever said! Well, here
he is, and still causing problems for everyone.
He is like a dog with a bone, one of the most tenacious and
honest players you will ever see on the squash court and
someone any player can learn an enormous amount from. A
testament to his character, was when he recovered from
cancer mid way through his career and went on to achieve a
World Ranking of No. 3.
It's great to see that he is still very passionate about the
sport and wants to stay within the game, hopefully we can
utilise his skills and experience to help some of our
younger players make the transition to senior level. He is a
good friend and I wish him all the best.
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The first
time I saw Parkey play was at the 1997 British Open in
Cardiff. As you can imagine, at my first British Open, I was
in awe of everything and everyone around me. I do, however,
remember really looking forward to watching the famous Simon
Parke play. This game, as I was led to believe, was within
12 months of his recovery from cancer.
 In
this match he lost to the up and coming and in form Dan
Jenson. However, what stood out to me was the attitude in
which he took to it. The way in which he chased down every
ball, fought for every point, pushed through the pain - and
seemed to just want more!
This attitude is how Parkey played his squash career. He has
thrived on every match - whether it be PSA, League, or an
exhibition. He has played it with the passion of a man that
has truly loved every second of it!!
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I have never seen anyone more determined to get back that
stupid little black ball every single time until his
opponent (or in his advancing years, himself!) dies of
exhaustion!
The guy is a legend! Definitely one of the best players of
his generation, Parkey was one of the players I've learnt a
lot from over the years & someone who I now class as one of
my best friends
on the tour. His competitiveness & never-say-die attitude on
court are legendary and along with his love for the game are
things all young players can learn from."
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 I
knew Parkey since I was a little lad as he was always close to my
family and has always been one of my brother's best mates. One thing
I always liked was the fact he would always acknowledge you. As a
young player I was pretty in awe but he would always find time to
talk to you.
One of the most entertaining matches I've seen was when he played PJ
at the nationals in about '99. His retrieving of the ball that night
was outrageous. It's also hard to forget the Europeans at Nottingham
when he just lost 3/2 to Renan and literally turned purple
afterwards.
Amazingly, Parkey missed the night do because he was so knackered.
Very unlike Parkey to miss one of the best nights out of the year!
I didn't see it but winning the us open must be right up there in
terms of achievement, taking Power and Nicol out. And to come out
and get to the final of the English open was a big effort.
Never one to give up on anything, I always found him really tough to
break down. I played him in the national quarters a couple of years
ago and he just wouldn't let go, it was annoying how much he
retrieved! Practice matches were never any different either. We got
about a dozen people watching us one afternoon at Nottingham.
It was always great watching his pirouettes (which apparently he
even did while he was ghosting) and wild retrieving.
Anyway good luck with your coaching Parkey and happy retirement.
More time for the TV now....
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Parkey lad.
 From
the time when we use to meet after school with your dad every
night at Harrogate and try and beat him 2 against 1, we had some
great times in our junior years. You always had a new album to
play in the car on our way to junior events which somehow seemed
to be in Kent or Surrey every weekend...!!!
 Simon's
junior life off the squash court showed the character he was
about to build. He was a great football player and I remember
him coming on to score against my school in the second half. But
his talent was in running. He ran the sponsored walk (20 miles)
in under 3 hours , and ran the county 1500m in 4:31 after he
stopped when the bell rang as he thought the race was over, both
at age 11.
Many memories I have of you playing for Yorkshire, but the
highlight has to be the day you won the World juniors teams
after you had won the individual convincingly. You and Camps
cried your eyes out in happiness.... Some tough lad from
Yorkshire you were then.!!??!!!
 We
all have our ups and downs, but Simon always seemed to keep on
pushing. His never say die attitude kept him going all these
years. Ross Norman told him when he was 13, unless the ball
rolls, you can still get it.. until your 50, you can still get
it... how true...!!!
Recently, which JP and I joked about last week, was the time in
March 2004, when you sat in my flat in Chicago and we tried
convincing you to take a job in the states and that you were
done, and you got all wound up and started shouting saying "I
still have one last push and I still love playing." The stubborn
Parkey was smiling four months later as he beat Nicol and lost
to Beach in the final of the English Open.
An all time perfect ambassador for squash in the future, you
will reward any path you cross with your wisdom, strength and
passion. I look forward to the Windy City seeing you be the M.C
and embarking on a new chapter in your life.
All the best
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 When
a nine year old boy sets the alarm clock for 6 am so he and you can
go to the local squash club to practice before school as a dad,
coach, mentor or whatever I think you have to respond in a positive
manner.
Thinking back, it was no great hardship as I was only five years
into learning the game myself, so maybe from this point we were
learning together.
Some early memories...
His first under 12 final (somewhere down south!) I remember somebody
trying to interview him after his 3-0 defeat but he was best
described as 'inconsolable' tears just would not stop for at least
ten minutes !
 Another
time I remember taking him to Willstrop for his first ever lesson at
Walton Hall (Wakefield) and Malcolm in his usual dour way said "He's
a good runner and could be a good club player." Think he turned out
better than that eh Malcolm?
Winning the Yorkshire Men's title age fifteen in Sheffield also
remains in my mind quite an a achievement (particularly as Yorkshire
have such a tradition of international strength !)
How many people can boast a World Title - well Simon will be in the
record books forever with his win in Paderborn, Germany, and for
good measure the team event as well ! (1990)
 Simon
has quite a collection of titles but in my opinion The US Open '99
was his finest hour, beating both Peter Nicol and Jonathan Power
15-13 in the fifth in the semi and the final, Jon and Peter being
ranked one and two in the world at the time!
I know playing for England has always been a great sense of pride
and his team wins in the Worlds as well as Europeans will always be
remembered.
Over the years Simon managed to stay in the world top ten ( incl. a
high of three) for around ten seasons, and many people would say
this is his finest achievement. Beating some of the greats like
Jansher Khan, Rodney Martin, Chris Robertson in the early nineties
would also be up there but for me as a dad if people over all this
time have said "oh that Simon, he's an ok bloke", then that makes it
all worthwhile.
Anyway for a son who is about to join the "Vets", I'm not sure what
to say ! - Except all the family are very proud of you and your
squash career. ..... and see you in the 'old gits' event ...
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Well
although Simon is leaving the PSA circuit I am sure you have not
seen the last of him. He is still going to be playing leagues and
the BSPA and of course is getting more and more involved in
coaching. 
All
the best in your future path, we know you will do well in your
chosen coaching career. I am really proud of you in all your
achievements over the years and have had fun watching many fantastic
matches I also enjoyed your coaching tips here in Vancouver , BC.
