UBFC MEMORIES: JAMIE PARSONS
- Apr 25
- 2 min read
In celebration of our Centenary, we are inviting former football club members to share their stories and memories. Our next contributor is the outgoing first team manager, Jamie Parsons, also known as JP. He has written a short piece about his memories with Upper Beeding Football Club. Here are his reflections.
My connection with the club dates back to 1925 when my great-grandfather Frank Ashdown played in our founding season. Throughout the 100 years that the club has existed my family has been involved, including my biggest footballing influence, my Grandfather Ron Phillips. I have had the pleasure of both playing for and managing the club and I am especially proud of my time as reserves and first-team manager.
My first training session with the club was in 1989, I was 4 years old and wore a pair of Patrick boots, that are still in my family's loft. I was more than likely in changing rooms before then but I was too young to remember those times. I was lucky enough to train as a young 15-year-old with Mick Barry's brilliant team that included club legends like Mark Salter, John Burgess, Paul Barker, Darren Jordan, Vic & Steph Gretton. That year, I scored my first senior goal for the club (I didn't score many but that one stood out as it was quite a good goal!) away at Southwater in a team full of young lads including Aaron Barker and Sam Witherden, when we were starting to break through into senior football.
Highlights of my time with the club have included playing on the same team as my brother Kerry, also coaching my son Bobby and the friends I have made along the way. I have had endless pleasure managing both the first team and reserves. Both sides achieved a lot and although there wasn't an abundance of trophies, there were a lot of memories made and I brought through a lot of great lads that presently play in both senior sides. Building them up and getting them to play football was always my sole ambition and our club has always been a great place for people who want to play football, I hope this will carry on for another 100 years.
If you would like to share your memories get in touch on social media or email us at upperbeedingfc@outlook.com
