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Parlane was a lanky centre-forward who had enjoyed much success
with Rangers in Scotland, picking up 2 championships, 3 Scottish FA
Cups and 2 Scottish League Cups and much was expected of him when
he came to Elland Road. He never really lived up to his billing,
and although the team a a whole wasn't playing well, Parlane's
failure to score goals did nothing to endear him to the fans who
thought he always tried to take too long on the ball. He had a loan
spell in Hong Kong before finding another English home at Maine
Road, and then returned to the far east after a brief stay with
Swansea. He came back to England via Racing Jet of Belgium, linking
up with Eddie Gray at Rochdale and then joining Gordon McQueen, who
was managing Airdrie at the time.
Anonymous says: Yes I saw Parlane play on many occasions.
Without doubt the most memorable was against Bayern Munich at Ibrox
in the European Cup Winners Cup semi-final in 1972. At the New
Year's Day game against Celtic that year the fans were singing:
"Born is the king of Ibrox Park". Wonderful memories from a truly
great Rangers and Leeds player.
Wil & Geeta
Siersma say: We are very close friends of Derek and have lost
contact with him. We would like very much to get back in touch with
him - we have been trying to do so for some time now. Can you
help?? Jabba says - if anybody knows, please drop them a line.
Anonymous says: Derek now works for Reebok UK as a sales
manager.
David Craig says: Derek was and still is my fav player of all
time. I can still remember one shot against Dundee United at Ibrox
when he came on as a sub and his first touch from well outside the
box hit the bar but did not go in.
Sandra Daly says: Does anybody know what Derek is doing these
days and where he is living. I used to dodge school to go and see
him train at Ibrox, he was the best Rangers player ever and he was
such a nice guy.
David Craig says: Does anyone know where i can get any pics of
derek playing for glasgow rangers.
Thelma Wagner nee Parlane says: Read the wonderful comments on
Derek Parlane's soccer career. We were in Scotland 2 years ago and
met with his family. Everyone knew of Derek's fame. I am proud to
be a 2nd cousin from Canada. Thelma Wagner nee Parlane. My father,
Arthur Parlane was born in Rhu.
Sean Clarke says: If this is the same Derek Parlane that for a
time played football in Hong Kong, then I know him and would like
to re-establish contact.
Gillian (lesbluets@hotmail.com) says: I met Derek when he was
playing in Belgium for Racing Jette. Unfortunately he had to leave
the club and went back to the UK and than we lost contact. So
anybody, if you can help me get back in touch with Derek, I would
apreciate that very much. Thanks a million.
Alfonso Geraci says: I remember in the early Eighties my Mum
surprising my father (a great connoisseur of football) in front of
the Tv set re-watching a Leeds-Coventry match screened only a
couple of days before: he defended himself on the grounds that "the
goals were beautiful": he was referring to a classy lob from
Parlane's head. Derek Parlane was very highly rated in Italy back
in the late Seventies and actually Juventus FC would have surely
signed him if only foreign players were then allowed in the serie A
- which they weren't."Peccato" as we say: anyway Parlane was
definetely a great centre-forward and I seem to remember he scored
a winner against England once.
John Munro says: Hello Derek, hope you're reading this, hope you
and family are all well. I'm still living in Gateshead, Finlay
Wallace is here too,and Ally Perry from Arrochar but I've not seen
him for ages. If you know where Gordon is in Amsterdam I'm going
soon, cause he owes me a beer. Found you on the net give us a shout
if you're up in bobby robson's wonderland keep well my friend, john
munro (cardross)
Helen Chisholm (nee Murray) says: Hi my family grew up near
Derek in Hall Road, Rhu, my brother Euan Murray was Derek`s best
pal and would like to get back in touch. Euan is now living in
Carradale, Kintyre and is unable to work because he suffered severe
injuries in a car accident in 1983. Would be great if he could hear
from Derek again.Derek if you are reading this do you remember me,
wee Helen the youngest of the Murrays, I used to pull you and Euan
around in a sledge ? You said to my mother that I was as strong as
a horse! I`ve got five kids myself now aged between 3 and 13 and
live in Fife. Hope to hear from you.
Bob Beaken says: I worked with Derek from 1988 to 1990 in the
sports business. When my wife and I became very good friends with
Derek and Julie. We still keep in touch but not as regularly as we
should. I also met Wil Siersma at this time and have Derek's phone
no if anyone wants to mail me for the info. we played a five a side
game within the company and I have to say he's not such a prolific
stiker as me. Well that is not surprising as I played with Gerd
Muller in the states and in one game that we won convincingly I
scored 4 to Gerdy's 3!!
Jeppo says: i no derek parlane and is son ross they live near to
me and i went on holiday with them.they live near to Blackpool
Audrey and Jack spence say: We met Derek and his wife Julie
whilst on holiday in Minorca a number of years ago.Julie was
expecting her baby at the time, and as we were staying in the same
complex we shared a hired car. They then lived in Wilmslow
(Cheshire) but moved away after their son Ross was born. We would
love to hear from him and Julie to recall the laughs we had whilst
holidaying in Minorca.
yvonne parlane says: hello I am yvonne parlane derek parlane's
second cousin.Derek say's to say hi to every1 he knows and is
well.He would like to thank all his loyal fans and friends who have
supported him throughout his legendary career.He was an inspiration
to me throughout my childhood,he is an absolutly great man and very
caring
tom stockdale says: hi derek, never met you but seen you play
for rangers many many times you where always my favourite player
(who was derek johnston again?)anyway thanks for the memories
ross parlane says: dad ur da best lol
david bryce says: derek is living in lytham st annes lancs
gus jacobs says: great vision and reader good solid finisher
marion says: Parlane will always be the king of Ibrox. I first
saw Derek play at Queen's Park and, almost, never missed any game
he played with Rangers. He was always a gentleman and a true
blue.
Joe Willcock says: If Derek played football the way he plays
table tennis, he must have been one hell of a player. Did you enjoy
the holiday Ross, how's the eye. All the very best Derek, hope we
meet again
Maureen McEachnie says: Derek was my favourite Rangers player-
met hima couple of times outside Ibrox when I should have been at
school. Happy memories! Would love to know what he is doing
now.
david craig says: Hi there does anyone know where i can get pics
of derek playing for the greatest team in the world glasgow
rangers.
Roy McLellan says: Great to hear Derek and family are well. I
was just a boy going to Ibrox with my dad when I watched the big
chap in action for the Teddy Bears. He was part of a team that
inspired and entertained and which won so many honours that us wee
Rangers fans grew up with the feeling that our team was, is,
invincible, Even if that's no longer strictly true, that belief
serves fans and players well to this day as a source of pride and
motivation. I salute you big man! Pop up and do the half time draw
sometime so I can give you a right good cheer!
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