Monday, August 16, 2004



Saturday Ray Parlour played his first official game for Middlesbrough, and got a draw and a yellow card for his efforts. As predicted on Parlour Watch weeks ago, Ray played in shirt number 15, just as he did while at Arsenal. The Arsenal 15 shirt is currently without an owner, but we doubt that it will stay sacred like Tony Adams number 6 shirt!

There were some problems with downloading Parlour's FA final 2002 goal, but if you do it via the lovely, but sadly un-updated, Ray Parlour tribute page, it should be possible - it's in the Ray FA cup special section!

The next Boro game will bring Ray back to his football home of 11 years, as they travel to London and Highbury. A warm applause should be ensured for the Romford Romario!

Monday, August 09, 2004

Less than a week till the Premier League kicks off, Boro's and Parlour's first game being home against Newcastle. Even though they have a hard start, with an away game against Arsenal following, I'm still certain that Boro will be over Manchester United in the table at the end of October!

To pass the time untill another season of football and beer at the pub begins, here is a link to Ray's famous FA Cup goal against Chelsea... and yeah, it's only Ray Parlour!

Tuesday, August 03, 2004

Only just a week old, and Parlour Watch unfortunately has to report Rays first taste of defeat in his new jersey. Luckily it was only in another friendly game that Boro lost 1-3 against German side Hansa Rostock. Ray once again played the entire 90 minutes and was, sort of, involved in the lonely Boro goal... he passed to ball to a guy, who passed it on to another player, onwards to another player... and in the end in ended up in front of Joseph Job who scored!

Parlour was joined in the midfield by our less than favorite player, Bolo Zenden, who not only sport a shitty haircut but also used to play for Chelsea. Never the less; he has now also joined Middlesbrough on a 1 year contract, after spending lasty season on loan at Riverside.

Former Gunner and now Villa manager David O'Leary has told that he would have loved to sign Ray Parlour, but that Aston Villa simply hadn't got the money to pay his wages. A shame for the Brommy club!

And people are starting to discuss Middlesbroughs attempt to crash the big boys party . Though the articles questions Rays pace, it still has some nice things to say; "He will offer the calming influence and maturity that could help tame the egos of the wild boys up front". And I'm sure Rayzor can still out run a defender or two.... well, Pascal Cygan at least!