What should I do next Al?

Alun Parry was a mate of mine throughout Junior school, and at one time we were as  thick as thieves. I think he joined our school in year 2 of 4 although I can't remember why. By year 3 we were best mates as we shared many interests which included football, drama and fountain pens. Alun was the goalkeeper of the school team and he wore the stunning yellow England jersey that Ray Clemence made famous. He was a good keeper by all accounts and I can distinctly remember one christmas when he came to my house and we went over to Greenbank Park to play football for  couple of hours. He wasn't bad when he played outfield either and one day he scored a header in a playground match, an occurence as rare as hens teeth. I can picture him peeling away in delight as I, the best player and captain of the school team, stood there in stunned silence. As we walked back to class at the end of break I  attempted to undermine his achievement by informing him that he could have controlled it on his chest and slotted it in. I was gutted.

We both shared a love of the drama group that Mr.Prettlove had introduced when he had joined the school. We had  shared top-billing in previous productions although his Frank Spencer impression had stolen the show in one show. I remember laughing along with the rest of the audience,  although my laughter was definitely through gritted teeth. And so came the day when Mr.Prettlove invited the drama regulars to his classroom and announced that we would be starting rehersals shortly for a production of Joseph and his colourful coat. "I haven't quite decided who will play who" he said, "but I have selected my Joseph." The anticipation and tension was unbearable for those few moments when I waited for him to say I had got the lead role. "Alun Parry will play Joseph" he said. Like a dagger through my heart his words travelled. I was gutted. Again. I was given a part with  addiditional lines as compensation for missing out. But it was scant consolation. 

Later on that year and a new Head Boy was to be selected. I was slightly taken aback when I was picked for the top job although I said yes immediately. 2 months into my tenure however and cracks had started to appear. I was relieved of my office with the blue badge passed on to Ian Simpson. He was also unable to make a success of it and the badge found its way onto Alun's school jumper. He was the perfect choice and remained Head Boy until we left for senior school.

We went to different  schools and our paths weren't to cross for many years. The only time I saw him was on News At Ten where he was talking about Socialism. It was a fleeting glimpse and that was it until around 2000 when I spotted him on FriendsReunited. One email led to another and we met up a couple of times for a few drinks. I think he was working in IT during this time although I can't be certain. The emails soon dried up and we went our seperate ways.

The last few years of my life have seen massive changes made on both a personal and professional level. An important part of my life now is my involvement with Marshalls FC as we strive to push the club towards the non-league football scene. At the current rate of progress it will probably take at least 10 years, maybe more to realise this dream as there is much growth and development to be achieved. In 2008 I read in the local newspapers that a new team was being formed which would provide local football fans with an alternative to Liverpool FC and the huge expense incurred following a Premiership club. A whirlwind few weeks culminated in AFC Liverpool entering the Vodkat League, on the lower rungs of the non-league ladder. The founder? The driving force? The visionary?. Alun Parry. This time I wasn't gutted, but filled with admiration, with just  a hint of envy.

As a frustrated Writer/Journalist I had taken the decision last year to start a Blog in January 2009 which would hopefully discipline me sufficiently to write something each day. Whilst doing my research I stumbled upon www.parrysongs.co.uk, which is Alun's own website.As well as finding that he already wrote a Blog,  I discovered what he had been doing for the past years and it made fascinating reading. As well as forming AFC Liverpool he is a well-known performer on the local music scene, has credits for BBC Radio 4, is a published writer, has set up the Working Class Music festival as well as Acoustic Slice. When I was concluding my Xmas shopping in December I went to HMV to buy a couple of cd's. As my eyes glanced across the many names on offer, one name jumped out at me. I couldn't believe it. A musician as well. Incredible.

In the past week I decided to start posting on Twitter having heard so much about it. There is a section where you can look people up,and only one name sprung to mind. I typed it in and hey presto, there he was. Beaten me to it again.

I'm pleased to say that I have since had an email from Alun,  and we will keep in touch. And this entry has allowed me to think back to the late 70's and  early 80's when we shared a classroom, a football pitch,  and much, much more. And I can't wait to see what he will beat me to next!.