I've literally just seen on the local news in Newcastle, that former Middlesborough defender Gary Parkinson is to be given a scouting role by the club, even though he is suffering from the debilitating illness "locked-in syndrome".
Parkinson who is 43, who played for Boro between 1986 and 1993, had been Blackpool's head of youth, until tragically he suffered a severe stroke in September 2010, leaving him totally paralysed. Despite this, his mind is still active and he is now helping the Boro manager, Tony Mowbray, scout players by watching DVDs and then rating them by blinking to his wife Deborah – which is the only way he can communicate.
"Tony and his coaching staff, like Mark Proctor and Stephen Pears, have been fantastic for Gary," Deborah told the Northern Echo. "When Tony first came to see Gary, he could see Gary was still aware of everything that was going on around him, so he asked Gary if he wanted to do some scouting for him. A DVD comes down to us, with a sheet of paper. There is a description of the player, his name, his age, his position and the clubs he has played for. Gary still loves his football, knows all about youth football from his time as the youth coach at Blackpool, and you can see he picks up when he is doing it. I have done it with him and so has my son, Luke."
Mowbray, who wrote in the match day programme on Saturday: "We were determined to give Gary a role, where he could feel involved. Not only that, I genuinely value his opinions about the game. We let him have a look at some of the players who come to our attention and it gives Gary something to concentrate on. Long after he ceases to be headline news, we will still be there for him."
When everything is looking bleak football wise with corruption, players not caring about their clubs, scandals etc etc, it's this sort of story that always puts a smile on my face. Proper heart warming stuff. Wish nothing but for the best for Gary for the future.
Parkinson who is 43, who played for Boro between 1986 and 1993, had been Blackpool's head of youth, until tragically he suffered a severe stroke in September 2010, leaving him totally paralysed. Despite this, his mind is still active and he is now helping the Boro manager, Tony Mowbray, scout players by watching DVDs and then rating them by blinking to his wife Deborah – which is the only way he can communicate.
"Tony and his coaching staff, like Mark Proctor and Stephen Pears, have been fantastic for Gary," Deborah told the Northern Echo. "When Tony first came to see Gary, he could see Gary was still aware of everything that was going on around him, so he asked Gary if he wanted to do some scouting for him. A DVD comes down to us, with a sheet of paper. There is a description of the player, his name, his age, his position and the clubs he has played for. Gary still loves his football, knows all about youth football from his time as the youth coach at Blackpool, and you can see he picks up when he is doing it. I have done it with him and so has my son, Luke."
Mowbray, who wrote in the match day programme on Saturday: "We were determined to give Gary a role, where he could feel involved. Not only that, I genuinely value his opinions about the game. We let him have a look at some of the players who come to our attention and it gives Gary something to concentrate on. Long after he ceases to be headline news, we will still be there for him."
When everything is looking bleak football wise with corruption, players not caring about their clubs, scandals etc etc, it's this sort of story that always puts a smile on my face. Proper heart warming stuff. Wish nothing but for the best for Gary for the future.