Bobby Parker of Rangers and Everton
The Everton FC Heritage Society has been leading on a project to research the life of Bobby Parker and get his grave in Lambhill Cemetery restored.
Possilpark-born Bobby scored the goals to push Everton to the Football league title in 1914/15 before war brought football to a halt. He was injured fighting in the Middle East and never quite the same player.
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He continued to play for the Toffees, and then Nottingham Forest and Fraserburgh, before becoming coach at Bohemian FC in Dublin. He lived with poor health for most of his final 20 years.
Bobby was wounded eight times during the Great War whilst serving with the Royal Scots Fusiliers and came home from war with a bullet still lodged in his back.
His early football life had been with Ashfield and then Rangers, but he was often second fiddle at Ibrox to Willie Reid
Here’s a summary of his life (the Society are working on a more detailed version): https://efcheritagesociety.com/bobby-parker-an-everton-hero/
The Society have now launched the GoFundMe crowdfunder initiative to cover some of the Bobby Parker grave restoration costs (re-erection of the headstone and the addition of a plaque to mark his sporting achievements). Here is the link:
https://gofund.me/30570200
The Society are also trying to trace some relatives (Bobby had no children but had lots of siblings – the have traced two great-nephews and a great-niece, so far).
If you have any material relating to Bobby or know of family please contact:-