Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Holte Enders in the Sky => Topic started by: OldUser on March 06, 2009, 02:45:05 PM

Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: OldUser on March 06, 2009, 02:45:05 PM
It is with great sadness that we announce that Harry has passed away after a long illness.

RIP Harry.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: PeterWithe on March 06, 2009, 02:48:12 PM
Thats a shame, I always remember buying lots of stuff that didn't fit me from his shop including a pair of Tacchini trackies and a Patrick caghoul that I am still waiting to 'grow in to.'

'We've got 20% off the lot'

Good on him.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on March 06, 2009, 02:49:37 PM
"I must be mad........."
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: SaluteIanTaylor on March 06, 2009, 02:50:39 PM
RIP H
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Rotterdam on March 06, 2009, 02:53:36 PM
That's where I used to purchase 'the old Puma Kings'.
He must have been a good age......
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Greg N'Ash on March 06, 2009, 02:57:07 PM
lots of memories going into that shop. probablly the jjb sports of his day. sad news
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: PeterWithe on March 06, 2009, 03:03:29 PM
Quote from: "gregnash"
lots of memories going into that shop. probablly the jjb sports of his day. sad news


He only had the one didn't he?
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Greg N'Ash on March 06, 2009, 03:05:34 PM
yeah. but that was bigtime back then. Can't remember there being loads of specialised sports shops, if any.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Hookeysmith on March 06, 2009, 03:11:28 PM
Always bought my boots and stuff from him - what a fantastic building it was in as well

Must admit i thought he had passed away a while ago
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Breezeblock on March 06, 2009, 03:12:18 PM
"Topend'a Corporations Street! I must be mad!".  RIP Harry - a true character and great servant to the club.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Mazrim on March 06, 2009, 03:13:57 PM
Always shoped there too. It was handy as the 26 stopped outside.

Bought my best ever cricket bat from there too. A Slazenger V500 that was like a wand in my hand during one glorious summer in 1989. 1,200 runs in that school season. I still have it.
*sigh*

RIP Harry.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: tonyh on March 06, 2009, 03:15:06 PM
Adidas Beckenbauer boots, Adidas Samba Trainers, Villa Shorts and socks. Goalkeeping gloves, I got the lot from Harry Parkes.

It was straight off the bus and pulling open them cricket bat handle doors.

Thanks for the memories Harry
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: gerags on March 06, 2009, 03:16:00 PM
RIP Harry.

Bought my 1st (and last) Lacoste sweatband in there.

Height of fashion in the 80s, apparently...

;)
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: rutski on March 06, 2009, 03:18:54 PM
Quote from: "Mazrim"
Always shoped there too. It was handy as the 26 stopped outside.

Bought my best ever cricket bat from there too. A Slazenger V500 that was like a wand in my hand during one glorious summer in 1989. 1,200 runs in that school season. I still have it.
*sigh*

RIP Harry.
could do with someone like you maz for our cricket team, fancy a game for Clent???
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: frank on March 06, 2009, 03:21:02 PM
My father used to tell the story of Harry Parkes marking the young and precocious Billy Wright, who apparently played in attack in his early days with Wolves. Harry marked the young star out of the game. At one point, after leaving Wright on his backside, Harry turned to the Holte with a smile and a "Big 'Ead" gesture.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: rutski on March 06, 2009, 03:21:37 PM
sorry, disrespectful of me.

RIP Harry.

Tachini jumber, fila t shirt and pale blue farahs with the seams split over my adidas LA trainers!

God, was that fashion???
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Bad English on March 06, 2009, 03:28:26 PM
I always used to go in there as the old N° 14 to Tile Cross went from virtually outside the door. I used to be amazed at the 'high-tech' cricket bats when they started selling them with the back gouged out of the back in order to lighten them. I was too poor to buy one though. Mazrim must be a right toff.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: SoccerHQ on March 06, 2009, 03:32:34 PM
He had a shop in Wylde Green didn't he?

RIP.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: SteveN on March 06, 2009, 03:33:18 PM
Sad news, loved wandering around the shop looking at things I couldn't afford.

My dad knew him and said what a decent fellow he was.

RIP Harry
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Villan For Life on March 06, 2009, 03:34:56 PM
Always brought equipment from his shop because of his Villa connections. He used to have some wonderful old Villa photos around the place. Loved the cricket bat door handles too.

RIP Harry.

The ranks of Holte Enders in the Sky have been increased by a few during 2009. RIP to you all.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: PeterWithe on March 06, 2009, 03:43:05 PM
You used to get a C&B carrier bag as well.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: tauntonvilla on March 06, 2009, 03:56:45 PM
I used to enjoy going into his shop, almost as much as going to VP !
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: richard moore on March 06, 2009, 03:57:36 PM
Bloody hell, seems like one a week popping their clogs at the moment. My dad is seeing all his old favourites disappearing before his very eyes...
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: peter w on March 06, 2009, 04:07:05 PM
I know its a pity but can't we have these threads in the correct forum?
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on March 06, 2009, 04:08:34 PM
Got my very first Lacoste polo shirt from Harry in 1982
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Simon Ward on March 06, 2009, 04:09:22 PM
RIP Harry. Condolences to his family.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: PeterWithe on March 06, 2009, 04:09:27 PM
Quote from: "Chico Hamilton III"
Got my very first Lacoste polo shirt from Harry in 1982


Please tell me it was a horrid pastel colour, I wont feel so daft then.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: villajk on March 06, 2009, 04:10:47 PM
RIP Harry

Like others, I've fond memories of his shop.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on March 06, 2009, 04:13:07 PM
Quote from: "PeterWithe"
Quote from: "Chico Hamilton III"
Got my very first Lacoste polo shirt from Harry in 1982


Please tell me it was a horrid pastel colour, I wont feel so daft then.


Proud to say it was pink
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: PeterWithe on March 06, 2009, 04:18:04 PM
Lemon.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: newtonsballs on March 06, 2009, 04:35:12 PM
Quote from: "PeterWithe"
Thats a shame, I always remember buying lots of stuff that didn't fit me from his shop including a pair of Tacchini trackies and a Patrick caghoul that I am still waiting to 'grow in to.'

'We've got 20% off the lot'

Good on him.

Made me smile. Harry would say always buy a size up, they'll shrink in the wash and you'll grow into them. With the boots stuff crumpled newspaper in the toes - gives you extra protection and of course you'll grow into them!

RIP Harry

When did the shop close?
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: monkstripe on March 06, 2009, 04:35:25 PM
that a great shame i always remember goin into his shop in bham
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Moorski on March 06, 2009, 04:39:23 PM
Condolences to Harry's family.

Happy Days as a kid going to his sports shop in Corporation street.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on March 06, 2009, 04:48:43 PM
Quote from: "rutski"
sorry, disrespectful of me.

RIP Harry.

Tachini jumber, fila t shirt and pale blue farahs with the seams split over my adidas LA trainers!

God, was that fashion???


Indeed

I got some classic trainers from HP over the years.

Trimm Trabb, Forest Hills, Olympia S, Borg Elites

Couple of Lyle and Scott Ronnie Corbett jumpers too........

by far the best shop around
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: bashvaldo on March 06, 2009, 04:51:19 PM
RIP Harry
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: royvilla949 on March 06, 2009, 05:48:28 PM
Had he used to have a shop by villa park remember buying my son the old yellow & blue strip there.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: TopDeck113 on March 06, 2009, 06:31:13 PM
As a kid going to his shop was always part of the trip into town.

My first Villa kit came from there.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: LeeB on March 06, 2009, 06:38:27 PM
Quote from: "rutski"
sorry, disrespectful of me.

RIP Harry.

Tachini jumber, fila t shirt and pale blue farahs with the seams split over my adidas LA trainers!

God, was that fashion???


I'd wear that now mate.

RIP Harry. Bought the best pair of boots I've ever had there, New Balance (Bryan Robson's boots, even though I hated the ******) and he got some follow up on that 'cause half the year had 'em in the end.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Bill Locky on March 06, 2009, 06:38:53 PM
Such sad news.  Many happy memories of the Corporation Street shop.  
I remember in the early 70's, saving my Christmas money and pocket money to buy the Villa tracksuit from there. Claret bottoms and blue zip up top with "AV" motif.  I was always fascinated by all the old team photographs.  His shop was much more interesting than Grenvilles.  

RIP Harry
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: RogerS on March 06, 2009, 07:18:57 PM
Quote from: "Breezeblock"
"Topend'a Corporations Street! I must be mad!".  RIP Harry - a true character and great servant to the club.


True. Another Villa legend (in the true sense of the word) passes on.

I had my first ever Villa strip from Harry's shop.

R.I.P. Harry, and thanks for the memories.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: AlexAlexCropley on March 06, 2009, 07:26:52 PM
Always a must visit when up town.I remember when Stuburt trainers were in ,to be worn with bell-bottoms,and Harry was the only place to get `em.
Also bought a squash racket then realised it wasn`t meant to be played in the street with a tennis ball.
RIP Harry.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: flybo on March 06, 2009, 08:12:48 PM
RIP Harry
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Dave Clark Five on March 06, 2009, 08:16:25 PM
Harry's shop also did some good badges. I bought many from there in the early 70s. You'll be meeting up with some old mates soon Harry. RIP.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: vespavillan on March 06, 2009, 08:40:59 PM
Quote from: "royvilla949"
Had he used to have a shop by villa park remember buying my son the old yellow & blue strip there.
...... That would be Dick Taylor's shop , many a happy hour spent with Dick & his Missus in the back of the shop drinking tea and trying on me new Adidas boots.  R.I.P 2 'H'
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: dave.woodhall on March 06, 2009, 08:46:51 PM
Harry played 345 times for Villa between 1939 and 1954 and would have played many more were it not for the war. He was voted Villa's player of the forties, served on the board when Doug took over and came within minutes of buying the club from Ron Bendall in 1982.

Yet he's mainly remembered for owning a sports shop. Strange world.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Lizz on March 06, 2009, 08:49:27 PM
Quote from: "Bad English"
I always used to go in there as the old N° 14 to Tile Cross went from virtually outside the door.


RIP Harry, linked with memories of his shop and my first solo bus journey on the old No 14 bus route.  I used to catch the No 14 bus near a Tile Cross park by 2 blocks of flats.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: villa `cross the mersey on March 06, 2009, 09:22:52 PM
My late father went to a few share holders meetings with Harry, the late George Edwards and Stan Lynn.
I too have fond memories of his shop back in the day.
My mom managed to get discount on the stuff bought as she used to work for George Edwards at his shop on Baldwins Lane, Hall Green.

Decent fella Harry ... RIP  from the Moss family.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: ColinMac on March 06, 2009, 09:28:45 PM
Got my first Villa kit there, first football boots...loved that shop, my parents tell me what a great player he was too.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Percy McCarthy on March 06, 2009, 10:33:06 PM
God bless you Harry, may you rest in peace.

There is some great stuff about him in Peter Morris's 'First Hundred Years'. He was a right comic apparently. Very versatile and talented player as well by all accounts.

I'm not surprised he's remembered for his shop though. Going in there as a ten year old, and seeing those team portraits around as I went down the stairs, was one of the first moments that I realised I supported a very special club.

Always had a good selection of Fred Perrys as well.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: villa `cross the mersey on March 06, 2009, 10:59:02 PM
Quote from: "Percy"
God bless you Harry, may you rest in peace.

There is some great stuff about him in Peter Morris's 'First Hundred Years'. He was a right comic apparently. Very versatile and talented player as well by all accounts.

I'm not surprised he's remembered for his shop though. Going in there as a ten year old, and seeing those team portraits around as I went down the stairs, was one of the first moments that I realised I supported a very special club.

Always had a good selection of Fred Perrys as well.


Fred Perry`s what ? :-
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Greg N'Ash on March 06, 2009, 11:29:08 PM
Quote from: "dave.woodhall"
Harry played 345 times for Villa between 1939 and 1954 and would have played many more were it not for the war. He was voted Villa's player of the forties, served on the board when Doug took over and came within minutes of buying the club from Ron Bendall in 1982.

Yet he's mainly remembered for owning a sports shop. Strange world.


erm not really. most of us weren't born in 1939 or indeed 1954, so i'm not surprised a shop that everyone knew in Birmingham as a kid in the 70's and 80's is our main memory of him.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Percy McCarthy on March 06, 2009, 11:46:29 PM
Quote from: "villa `cross the mersey"
Quote from: "Percy"
God bless you Harry, may you rest in peace.

There is some great stuff about him in Peter Morris's 'First Hundred Years'. He was a right comic apparently. Very versatile and talented player as well by all accounts.

I'm not surprised he's remembered for his shop though. Going in there as a ten year old, and seeing those team portraits around as I went down the stairs, was one of the first moments that I realised I supported a very special club.

Always had a good selection of Fred Perrys as well.


Fred Perry`s what ? :-


Fred Perrys, plural. No apostrophe. But you knew that didn't you, you naughty boy.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: hawkeye on March 06, 2009, 11:57:28 PM
my first villa kit was purchased from his shop as a christmas present, i went with my dad who also passed away recently RIP
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: PeterWithe on March 07, 2009, 07:43:29 AM
Quote from: "dave.woodhall"
Harry played 345 times for Villa between 1939 and 1954 and would have played many more were it not for the war. He was voted Villa's player of the forties, served on the board when Doug took over and came within minutes of buying the club from Ron Bendall in 1982.

Yet he's mainly remembered for owning a sports shop. Strange world.


Maybe but I would guess that no-one on here would have any recollection of him playing whereas most would have fond memories of his shop and the Villa related memories it brings.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: PeterWithe on March 07, 2009, 07:47:23 AM
Quote from: "newtonsballs"
When did the shop close?


The first time I realised it had shut was before the England v Spain game, Erikksons first, when I was drinking in a bar thinking 'Harry Parkes must be next door to this' and when I went outside I realised that pub bar was the old Harry's.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Desi on March 07, 2009, 09:19:42 AM
Quote from: dave.woodhall
Harry played 345 times for Villa between 1939 and 1954 and would have played many more were it not for the war. He was voted Villa's player of the forties, served on the board when Doug took over and came within minutes of buying the club from Ron Bendall in 1982.

Yet he's mainly remembered for owning a sports shop. Strange world.


Maybe but I would guess that no-one on here would have any recollection of him playing whereas most would have fond memories of his shop and the Villa related memories it brings.[/quote]
 ------------------------------------------------------------------

I remember seeing Harry play, my Dad took me to my first game in 1949, and I had already heard a lot about him as he was one of my Dad's favourite players. (He could never understand how he didn't become an England regular).

In the 70's/80's I worked for Slazenger/Puma and clearly remember the first time that I had an appointment to see Harry in his shop, his leading me up the stairs, past all the wonderful photos, to his office.
Once he knew that I was a life long Villa fan most of our 'business' time. on subsequent occasions, was spent talking football.
I got to hear all about the Bendall takeover, how everything had been agreed and what actually happened on that infamous weekend!
Sad to say that Harry never returned to Villa Park after that time.

He was one of the funniest guys I ever met with a really dry sense of humour and a fund of great stories, about football in general and the Villa in particular.
He'll be having a good laugh with Vic and Johnny, that's for sure.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: richardhubbard on March 07, 2009, 04:27:59 PM
RIP Harry
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: PaulTheVillan on March 07, 2009, 04:28:31 PM
Did he make HP Sauce?
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: 1_Pablo_Angel on March 07, 2009, 04:38:16 PM
Quote from: "PeterWithe"
Quote from: "newtonsballs"
When did the shop close?


The first time I realised it had shut was before the England v Spain game, Erikksons first, when I was drinking in a bar thinking 'Harry Parkes must be next door to this' and when I went outside I realised that pub bar was the old Harry's.


Which building used to be his shop, out of interest?
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: PaulTheVillan on March 07, 2009, 04:43:09 PM
I remember he had a shop near the law courts?
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: achilles on March 07, 2009, 05:40:18 PM
RIP Harry

Great times looking around his shop... seeing things I couldn't afford!
Great memories!
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Percy McCarthy on March 07, 2009, 05:58:45 PM
Quote from: "PaulTheVillan"
I remember he had a shop near the law courts?


That's the one.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: simboy on March 07, 2009, 08:57:52 PM
Quote from: "1_Pablo_Angel"
Quote from: "PeterWithe"
Quote from: "newtonsballs"
When did the shop close?


The first time I realised it had shut was before the England v Spain game, Erikksons first, when I was drinking in a bar thinking 'Harry Parkes must be next door to this' and when I went outside I realised that pub bar was the old Harry's.


Which building used to be his shop, out of interest?


The shop was in the Pitman Building Corporation Street - it became Bar Med (I think) in about 1998 - I used to work in the same building in the offices above
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: martin on March 08, 2009, 04:19:37 AM
like many others, Harry Parkes first became known to me through the sports shop on Corporation Street rather than the Villa.

It was the only place in town where you could pick up a BRMB t-shirt without winning one in a phone-in.

And not having a phone in 1976 this was quite difficult.

So off we set on the bus.

But when we got there there were none in stock.

A quite unsympathetic middle-aged man who could have been Harry advised us to try the radio station itself.

But we got lost on the way and chased by some black lads.

Cheers Harry.
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: Moorski on March 08, 2009, 09:25:15 AM
Quote from: "PaulTheVillan"
I remember he had a shop near the law courts?


Indeed he did, The door had a cricket bat as a handle and in those days it was the sports shop to go to if you needed anything.

"Beckenbauer super" football boots is a special memory for me and Harry made sure they fitted a treat!
Title: Harry Parkes
Post by: PaulTheVillan on March 08, 2009, 09:36:05 AM
Everytime I went into HP's as a kid I was always begging my folks to buy me a full set of goal posts.
Title: Re: Harry Parkes
Post by: sfx412 on December 07, 2010, 10:04:13 AM
Have some great memories of the man stretching over many a year from our first meeting in his shop when my dad took me to buy my first pair of Adidas boots when I was 9/10 to chats at Villa when he was a Director. Lovely man full of stories and great memories and a war time pal of my Dad's with whom he played pre war.
Sad that another giant has moved on.
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