Rest in peace, El Presidente

There's not much for me to add to the understandably glowing tributes to Jim Parsons found elsewhere online. Many were left by those who knew him through his long and distinguished associations with Maidenhead United and Plymouth Parkway. How many people can claim to have left such a lasting legacy at one football club, let alone two?

Instead, I'll share some photos from our recent trip to Penzance, and reiterate – on behalf of all those who expressed similar sentiments on the day – that another friendly between the clubs is a must. Twelve years on from the last (fiery!) encounter ... and the truly legendary night out that followed! (Sadly, no actual evidence exists of Bobby P. flagging down a police car on Union Street at 3am, mistaking it for a taxi!)

^^^ Owing to a second birthday party on Sunday, we couldn't leave Maidenhead any earlier than 4pm. There was a slight detour to pick up Steve H. from Taunton train station – rail replacement buses, clogging up the entrance, serving as a reminder of why we'd chosen to make the journey by car. Overall, though, it was a relatively smooth run, and we arrived at our digs – the Yacht Inn – just before 9:30pm. Here we were greeted by a sizeable group 'carrying on the Cornish tradition of beautiful harmony singing in pubs'.

^^^ Steve H. and Willie T. were complaining of hunger. After confirming that the pub had stopped serving food, the kindly barman at the nearby Dolphin Tavern said we'd be welcome to eat a takeaway from the local Chinese right there in the pub. Soon enough, Willie T. returned with a boxful of goodies from the Sex Palace Sea Palace! As Steve H. quipped, "He must be the only delivery driver who sits down and eats the takeaway!" At least his character for Fancy Dresslemania XIX (NB. in Salford, not Eastleigh) was sorted!

Some of Jim's family happened to be in the pub, and we chatted for a while with Julian and Emma (his stepchildren). Other topics of conversation included the length of Ryan Bird's contract [UPDATE: one year, apparently, with an option for a second], a dog called Zennor, and 'fast-paced drum & bass'.

At closing time, the locals suggested that the Bath Inn might be open later. We headed there and were pleased to learn – after the barman had agreed to let us in for one bell-beating round – that it had been a regular haunt of Jim's.

^^^ Monday. A twenty-minute each-way stroll along the promenade to and from St. Peter's Church in Newlyn. With St. Michael's Mount as a spectacular – if hazy – backdrop.

^^^ A fitting send-off, back at the Yacht. Rest in peace, El Presidente.