The Romford Pelé: It’s only Ray Parlour’s autobiography

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Igors Stepanovs, battling here with Sunderland’s Kevin Phillips in December 2000, ‘was a yard behind us on the pitch,’ according to Ray Parlour: ‘It was like taking my brother to training.’ Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Allsport Thierry is a great lad and very intelligent, which is why I think he can make a manager one day. He is not short of opinions. There was a spell when he was unmarkable. The only thing Dennis did differently for me is he transformed the nature of the club with his professionalism. Of course, Dennis was also special to play with. He could read your mind.

Dennis Bergkamp transformed Arsenal with his professionalism, says Ray Parlour. The Dutchman’s refusal to fly also made him the target of wind-ups. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian He was declared to run at Stratford last week but was pulled out on the day of the race. And his trainer decided against heading to Aintree for today's Old Roan Chase as the ground was again too fast for him. Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies was hoping to get a prep run into his six-year-old ahead of the Grade One feature on Merseyside on November 25. Evan Williams has praised Buywise for his staying power and the trainer decided to enter him for the National after a good performance in a race at Doncaster in February. Thompson moans to referee Paul Durkin as Wenger prepares to bring on Matthew Upson for the last few minutes. Photograph: Gary M Prior/Getty Images

Overall, he appeared for the U21s on twelve occasions without scoring any goals. [16] On 10 February 1998, he played for the B-team in a 1–0 loss to Chile at The Hawthorns. [19] The last third was more the winding down of his career and some personal aspects as he was involved in a mega legal battle with his ex-wife. It never proved heavy reading and through it all he never really said a bad word about her, it would have been easy to take a few low blows so hats off for that. Then there was the inevitable winding down of his career, this is something that must kill most professional athletes. He took it in good stride though and highlighted some of the things he does to now pass the time. Together with her partner, Gearoid Costelloe, Rebecca has developed a strong reputation in sourcing young untouched horses and developing them for top races. The Romford Pele, is currently ranked a 40-1 shot and may start at even longer odds on the day while on Thursday, bookmakers were giving odds of 33-1 on O’Foalains Boy.

Perhaps you should take him for a pint at the social club. So, is the greatest moment of your career scoring in the 2002 FA Cup Final? Not because of the goal but because just before you hit the shot Tim Lovejoy said "It's only Ray Parlour"? I couldn't care less what Tim Lovejoy thinks to be honest with you. I know him and he was probably right. With all the talent we had on the pitch he would have probably taken me being the one to have a shot. Arsenal celebrate winning the Premier League title at Old Trafford in May 2002. Photograph: Action Images/Reuters While there was a necessary desperation in Cole’s clearance, the rest of his performance was a study in calm authority. And the eye-catching effectiveness of his goalline intervention reinforced a rapidly growing feeling that Arsenal and England had stumbled upon a serious talent. Cole turned 21 three days earlier, but he had already come of age during a life-changing year. At the start of 2001 Cole was uncapped for England and had started only four Premier League games for Arsenal. By the end he was undisputed first choice for club and country. His talent was so obvious that Wenger felt safe to sell the excellent Silvinho - who was in the PFA Team of the Year the previous season – to Celta Vigo in the summer of 2001. Before Christmas, Liverpool, Leeds, Bolton, Everton and Newcastle all spent time at the top of the table. Newcastle went there with that 3-1 win at Arsenal, who themselves missed the chance to go top that night. Arsenal, who started the game brilliantly before unravelling in the second half, were slaughtered in the press for their indiscipline. Henry displayed a surfeit of va-va-voom when he put his fist through a window after the game. “You cannot ask your players to be 100% committed for 90 minutes,” said Wenger, “and then walk off with a smile on their faces after a 3-1 home defeat when you are pressing for the title.”One really good reason for reading this book would be the descriptions of life as a footballer in that era. The pay, the work rate, the drinking culture; all things that have really changed these days. It really is eye opening to see what people like him got paid then compared to if they were playing these days.

Small Talk has done its research, Ray, and according to Wikipedia you are now a professional poker player. I wouldn't say that, no. I don't know where they've got that from really [laughs]. I play a few social hands. It made for the most open title race since the inaugural Premier League season, certainly in the first half of the season, and a compelling tale of the unpredictable. Chelsea beat Liverpool who beat Newcastle who beat Leeds who beat Arsenal who beat Chelsea three days after the Liverpool game. And, apart from Leeds, all of them beat – and in most cases hammered – Manchester United. Michael Owen scores as England triumph in Germany in September 2001. The English striker finished the year off with the Ballon d’Or. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Arsène Wenger and Liverpool’s interim boss Phil Thompson both look on nervously. Photograph: Reuters

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If I was at a crossroads when Arsène arrived, then the timing was perfect to ensure I went in the right direction. It was a time where a lot of things came together. The influence of the manager, new continental players arriving, Tony stopping drinking, not going out so much.