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Whatever Happened To Billy Parks
A vivid and engaging story of wasted talent, second chances, family, friendship, and, of course, the beautiful game.
October 17th 1973: the greatest disaster in the history of English football.
All England had to do was beat Poland to qualify for the World Cup.
They didn’t.
They could only draw.
Left on the bench that night was a now forgotten genius, West Ham’s Billy Parks: beautiful, gifted and totally flawed.
Fast-forward forty years, Billy’s life is a testament to wasted talent. His liver is failing and he earns his money selling football memories on the after-dinner circuit to anyone who’ll listen and buy him a drink. His family has deserted him and his friends are tired of his lies and excuses.
But what if he could be given a second chance? What if he could go back in time and win the game for England? What if he was able to undo the pain he’d caused his loved ones?
The Council of Football Immortals can give him that chance, just as long as he can justify himself, and his life, to them.
This is the story of Billy Parks: a man who bore his genius like a dead weight and who now craves that most precious of things – the chance to put things right.
October 17th 1973: the greatest disaster in the history of English football.
All England had to do was beat Poland to qualify for the World Cup.
They didn’t.
They could only draw.
Left on the bench that night was a now forgotten genius, West Ham’s Billy Parks: beautiful, gifted and totally flawed.
Fast-forward forty years, Billy’s life is a testament to wasted talent. His liver is failing and he earns his money selling football memories on the after-dinner circuit to anyone who’ll listen and buy him a drink. His family has deserted him and his friends are tired of his lies and excuses.
But what if he could be given a second chance? What if he could go back in time and win the game for England? What if he was able to undo the pain he’d caused his loved ones?
The Council of Football Immortals can give him that chance, just as long as he can justify himself, and his life, to them.
This is the story of Billy Parks: a man who bore his genius like a dead weight and who now craves that most precious of things – the chance to put things right.
262 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 3, 2014
If you love football (but not necessarily) and enjoy the writing of Tony Parsons (Man and Wife) then you will love this book. It is superbly well written, a touching storyline and an ending that will bring a tear to the most hardened book reader...I urge you to read :)
July 22, 2014
Anytime a book effects me emotional I give it a high score. This book might not be for everyone but I found it an easy read and would reflect many players in his situation.
October 19, 2013
I’m going to start this review with a bottom line; if you consider yourself to be a football fan, you should buy this book and read it. You will enjoy it. A lot.
Now I’m going to explain why. As can be deduced from the title, Whatever Happened To Billy Parks tells the story of a fictional footballer called Billy Parks, a player from the 1970s who was one of the most gifted of his generation. He was left on the bench for the England v Poland match in 1973. A match which England needed to win, but could only draw. The book opens in the present day, with Billy struggling to make a living, battling alcoholism, his family having long since deserted him. Yet at this late stage he may finally get the one thing that he truly craves; a second chance to undo the pain he’s caused to his family, win the game for England, and become a legend.
I will freely admit that despite reading a lot of books generally, I have read very few books about football, a sport which otherwise takes up a great deal of my time. And none of the football books that I have read have been fictional. So as I started to read this book I was somewhat skeptical about how a book about a fictional player could really interest me, and make me care enough both to be overjoyed at the highs and sad at the lows of this talented yet tragic figure.
But it did. In the hours that I spent reading this book I found myself wanting to punch the air at some of the match descriptions, only to be sad at the real personal tragedy that followed, and all the while regularly laughing at some of the truly fantastic anecdotes and humour about real players both past and present.
It’s difficult to say exactly why this book had such an effect of me. There is no doubt that it is extremely well written, and contains the sort of football references that would draw a smile and a laugh out of even the most casual fan. But equally the real life tragedy in the book is dealt with in a delicate, sensitive, yet hard hitting manner that really draws you in to the personal story of Billy Parks. The fact that the issues that he faces are common ones, from an era when players would drink and smoke as a matter of course, just makes the book hit all the harder.
In short, this book is written with the sort of skill, intelligence, emotion and passion that will immerse every football fan into its story, right up until the outstanding ending. I would compare to it a similar book but I’m genuinely not aware of any other book that is even remotely like this. So if you’re a reading this and consider yourself to be a football fan you’re just going to have to take my word for how good this book is and how much you will enjoy it, so take my recommendation and give it a go. You won’t regret it.
Now I’m going to explain why. As can be deduced from the title, Whatever Happened To Billy Parks tells the story of a fictional footballer called Billy Parks, a player from the 1970s who was one of the most gifted of his generation. He was left on the bench for the England v Poland match in 1973. A match which England needed to win, but could only draw. The book opens in the present day, with Billy struggling to make a living, battling alcoholism, his family having long since deserted him. Yet at this late stage he may finally get the one thing that he truly craves; a second chance to undo the pain he’s caused to his family, win the game for England, and become a legend.
I will freely admit that despite reading a lot of books generally, I have read very few books about football, a sport which otherwise takes up a great deal of my time. And none of the football books that I have read have been fictional. So as I started to read this book I was somewhat skeptical about how a book about a fictional player could really interest me, and make me care enough both to be overjoyed at the highs and sad at the lows of this talented yet tragic figure.
But it did. In the hours that I spent reading this book I found myself wanting to punch the air at some of the match descriptions, only to be sad at the real personal tragedy that followed, and all the while regularly laughing at some of the truly fantastic anecdotes and humour about real players both past and present.
It’s difficult to say exactly why this book had such an effect of me. There is no doubt that it is extremely well written, and contains the sort of football references that would draw a smile and a laugh out of even the most casual fan. But equally the real life tragedy in the book is dealt with in a delicate, sensitive, yet hard hitting manner that really draws you in to the personal story of Billy Parks. The fact that the issues that he faces are common ones, from an era when players would drink and smoke as a matter of course, just makes the book hit all the harder.
In short, this book is written with the sort of skill, intelligence, emotion and passion that will immerse every football fan into its story, right up until the outstanding ending. I would compare to it a similar book but I’m genuinely not aware of any other book that is even remotely like this. So if you’re a reading this and consider yourself to be a football fan you’re just going to have to take my word for how good this book is and how much you will enjoy it, so take my recommendation and give it a go. You won’t regret it.
October 24, 2013
This book was recommended to me and I wasn't sure how I would get on with it: the fateful night occurred before I was born, and I am only vaguely familiar with that era of football. But, football opened the door and I'm so glad I walked through. This was an immensely enjoyable book to read, a real page turner (I should say page flicker, as I read it on my phone).
It genuinely felt autobiographical... I even thought Billy Parks was a real man at first! It turns out this book has just been very well-researched, creating a character who seems so realistic and convincing. Then something strange happens and you can't wait to find out what's really going on.
There are plenty of flashbacks on the way, often sad, but mostly thought-provoking. Billy Parks is no hero, but you will be rooting for him, especially in the present day.
Yes, football is a major theme in this book. So, if you're a true fan, you will love reading it. But I honestly think you could read this book with no knowledge of football and still find this a very satisfying and intriguing tale. The writing is excellent, it flows wonderfully, even during the darkest moments. And, ultimately this is a book about life: discipline versus temptation, happiness and tragedy, free-will or fate... redemption?
I'll be thinking about this book for a long time, no doubt Billy Parks will turn up to illustrate a point I wish to make in future discussion.
Strongly recommended: enjoy!
It genuinely felt autobiographical... I even thought Billy Parks was a real man at first! It turns out this book has just been very well-researched, creating a character who seems so realistic and convincing. Then something strange happens and you can't wait to find out what's really going on.
There are plenty of flashbacks on the way, often sad, but mostly thought-provoking. Billy Parks is no hero, but you will be rooting for him, especially in the present day.
Yes, football is a major theme in this book. So, if you're a true fan, you will love reading it. But I honestly think you could read this book with no knowledge of football and still find this a very satisfying and intriguing tale. The writing is excellent, it flows wonderfully, even during the darkest moments. And, ultimately this is a book about life: discipline versus temptation, happiness and tragedy, free-will or fate... redemption?
I'll be thinking about this book for a long time, no doubt Billy Parks will turn up to illustrate a point I wish to make in future discussion.
Strongly recommended: enjoy!
February 13, 2017
Lokakuussa 1973 Englanti ja Puola kohtaavat toisensa ratkaisevassa MM-karsintapelissa Wembleylla. Englannin on voitettava peli, mutta maalivahti Jan Tomaszewskin johtamat puolalaiset onnistuvat estämään jokaisen maaliyrityksen - myös Kevin Hectorin täydellisen puskun viimeisillä minuuteilla. Tottenhamin ja West Hamin hyökkääjä Billy Parks istuu tuona iltana vaihtopenkillä.
Vuosikymmeniä myöhemmin ikääntynyt, alkoholisoitunut ja perheensä menettänyt Parks tapaa salaperäisen hahmon menneisyydestä, joka tarjoaa hänelle mahdollisuutta muuttaa historiaa, korjata Wembleylla tapahtunut virhe ja viedä Englanti MM-kisoihin - ja ehkä samalla muuttaa koko maailmanhistorian kulku ja alamäkeen joutunut oma elämä.
Gareth R. Robertsin "Whatever Happened to Billy Parks" (2014) on maagisen realismin sävyttämä romaani jalkapallosta, taistelusta alkoholismia vastaan ja niistä elämän pienistä valinnoista, jotka saattavat suistaa meidät kadotukseen tai nostaa ikuiseen kunniaan. Vallan mainio lukukokemus oli tämä, etenkin näin MM-kisojen aikaan luettna.
Vuosikymmeniä myöhemmin ikääntynyt, alkoholisoitunut ja perheensä menettänyt Parks tapaa salaperäisen hahmon menneisyydestä, joka tarjoaa hänelle mahdollisuutta muuttaa historiaa, korjata Wembleylla tapahtunut virhe ja viedä Englanti MM-kisoihin - ja ehkä samalla muuttaa koko maailmanhistorian kulku ja alamäkeen joutunut oma elämä.
Gareth R. Robertsin "Whatever Happened to Billy Parks" (2014) on maagisen realismin sävyttämä romaani jalkapallosta, taistelusta alkoholismia vastaan ja niistä elämän pienistä valinnoista, jotka saattavat suistaa meidät kadotukseen tai nostaa ikuiseen kunniaan. Vallan mainio lukukokemus oli tämä, etenkin näin MM-kisojen aikaan luettna.
December 22, 2014
This is a great little story. Like the best football books, it isn't about football, but uses football as a vehicle in order to tell a story and bring some colour and context to life; but appreciates the game.
It is heart-wrenching in places, as it flits between how life as a young footballer unfolds and Billy's past regrets and struggles. Despite this, the characters - Billy mainly, but those few around him - are no stereotypes, and there's real depth to them.
It could have ended so easily and obviously too - but it plays out well, and is a rich, and well deserved ending. I'd say more, but it'd spoil it.
A book to devour. Also my third off the "Jerwood Fiction Unlimited" list and I'm tempted now to read the other three.
It is heart-wrenching in places, as it flits between how life as a young footballer unfolds and Billy's past regrets and struggles. Despite this, the characters - Billy mainly, but those few around him - are no stereotypes, and there's real depth to them.
It could have ended so easily and obviously too - but it plays out well, and is a rich, and well deserved ending. I'd say more, but it'd spoil it.
A book to devour. Also my third off the "Jerwood Fiction Unlimited" list and I'm tempted now to read the other three.
April 30, 2016
Enjoyable football novel which will appeal to fans who fondly remember the 60s and 70s. Billy Parks is a fictional player who oozed natural talent and all his teammates and opponents are real footballers from that era. He has a chance to go back in time and change the outcome of a crucial match.
Nicely written and good to see the Birkbeck Tavern in Leyton get a mention. Of course the main character could have been George Best, with the obvious parallels of his career. Had the pleasure of seeing Best his later years playing for Hibs at East End Park, home of my team Dunfermline Athletic. He was old, fat and slow. However, he ran the show and was enjoyed by both sets of fans.
Apologies for the nostalgia but blame Gareth R Roberts.
Ray Smillie
Nicely written and good to see the Birkbeck Tavern in Leyton get a mention. Of course the main character could have been George Best, with the obvious parallels of his career. Had the pleasure of seeing Best his later years playing for Hibs at East End Park, home of my team Dunfermline Athletic. He was old, fat and slow. However, he ran the show and was enjoyed by both sets of fans.
Apologies for the nostalgia but blame Gareth R Roberts.
Ray Smillie
February 1, 2014
he story of fictional footballer Billy Parks who is given a chance to rewrite English football history. The author sets the scene for an alcoholic ex-footballer to seek final redemption for a wasted life. Parks is offered the opportunity to replay the last few minutes of a game which England needed to win but could only draw. Parks is tormented by his alcoholism which is fed by his insatiable desire for recognition by football supporters and well wishers. The story is engaging, well told and full of anecdotes that will appeal to any football fan. Strongly recommended.
June 29, 2014
I've just finished this and loved it. Think I'll buy it for my dad too, as he's only a couple of years younger than Billy and a football fan for as long, so he'll get all the late 60s and early 70s football references. I was born in 1975 and vividly remember the names Billy talks about - Trevor Brooking, George Best (who doesn't remember George Best?), Pat Jennings and the rest. The novel stands alone as a story, but I think it would be especially enjoyed by those who were around to watch the football of Billy's day. A lovely novel.
February 22, 2014
This book just appealed to me on the library shelf! Unusual story mixing the past and present life of fictional footballer Billy Parks. I did enjoy reading it. The story was just a bit different.
March 11, 2021
A really good read - highly recommended.
4 and-a-half stars.
4 and-a-half stars.
September 9, 2023
Very well crafted tale that keeps you turning the pages.
Not just a football book but one about life's ups and downs.
Not just a football book but one about life's ups and downs.
September 4, 2014
Whatever happened to Billy Parks? By Gareth R Roberts is a fictional account of wasted talent but with the possibility of a remarkable redemption.
Right from the beginning we are emotionally drawn to Billy; he has a difficult upbringing and his football success comes as a welcome relief. We care about him as we follow his developing football career, and relationships with his family and friends. Then his self-destructive tendencies start his degeneration into drinking and womanizing. Finally there is an opportunity to make things right.
West Ham’s Billy Parks life follows a similar path to 1970s football icons like George Best and Stan Bowles. He is a faded terrace hero who has neglected his family and is heading towards an early grave.
After his playing career has ended his liver is failing and he earns his money selling football stories on the after-dinner circuit to anyone who’ll listen and buy him a drink. His family has deserted him and his friends are tired of his lies and excuses.
But then comes a fantastic occurrence to make things better. Billy is given the chance to reverse the dark night of 17th October 1973 when England were unable to beat Poland and qualify for the 1974 World Cup finals in Germany.
That night he was left on the bench but what if he could go back in time and win the game for England? What if he was able to undo the pain he’d caused his loved ones?
The book has been described as a British version of the baseball novel Field of Dreams but the difference is that, while Field of Dreams was concerned with changing the future, this is concerned with changing the past. But both stories acknowledge the transformative power of sport, the effect that it has on people’s lives, and both stories are about ghosts.
Throughout the book there is a welcome nostalgia for the football heroes of bygone times, the World Cup winners of 1966, the great football managers of the 1970s ‘ The Council of Immortals’ Ramsay, Shankly, Revie, Clough and Busby.
Some of the football passages are reminiscent of the bygone comic strip heroes Roy of the Rovers and Billy’s Boots. These passages manage to convey the adrenalin rush of beating the opposition and of scoring a goal for both players and fans. For example, when young Billy is playing for London Boys versus Manchester Boys.
There are also details of fixtures, dates, venues, team line-ups and historically accurate references to give the story added realism.
The book certainly packs an emotional punch and has recently won the Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Prize and been Longlisted for the Gordon Burn Prize. ‘Whatever happened to Billy Parks?’ deserves a place alongside the best football novels of the modern era, Nick Hornby’s ‘Fever Pitch’ and David Peace’s ‘The Damned United’.
Right from the beginning we are emotionally drawn to Billy; he has a difficult upbringing and his football success comes as a welcome relief. We care about him as we follow his developing football career, and relationships with his family and friends. Then his self-destructive tendencies start his degeneration into drinking and womanizing. Finally there is an opportunity to make things right.
West Ham’s Billy Parks life follows a similar path to 1970s football icons like George Best and Stan Bowles. He is a faded terrace hero who has neglected his family and is heading towards an early grave.
After his playing career has ended his liver is failing and he earns his money selling football stories on the after-dinner circuit to anyone who’ll listen and buy him a drink. His family has deserted him and his friends are tired of his lies and excuses.
But then comes a fantastic occurrence to make things better. Billy is given the chance to reverse the dark night of 17th October 1973 when England were unable to beat Poland and qualify for the 1974 World Cup finals in Germany.
That night he was left on the bench but what if he could go back in time and win the game for England? What if he was able to undo the pain he’d caused his loved ones?
The book has been described as a British version of the baseball novel Field of Dreams but the difference is that, while Field of Dreams was concerned with changing the future, this is concerned with changing the past. But both stories acknowledge the transformative power of sport, the effect that it has on people’s lives, and both stories are about ghosts.
Throughout the book there is a welcome nostalgia for the football heroes of bygone times, the World Cup winners of 1966, the great football managers of the 1970s ‘ The Council of Immortals’ Ramsay, Shankly, Revie, Clough and Busby.
Some of the football passages are reminiscent of the bygone comic strip heroes Roy of the Rovers and Billy’s Boots. These passages manage to convey the adrenalin rush of beating the opposition and of scoring a goal for both players and fans. For example, when young Billy is playing for London Boys versus Manchester Boys.
There are also details of fixtures, dates, venues, team line-ups and historically accurate references to give the story added realism.
The book certainly packs an emotional punch and has recently won the Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Prize and been Longlisted for the Gordon Burn Prize. ‘Whatever happened to Billy Parks?’ deserves a place alongside the best football novels of the modern era, Nick Hornby’s ‘Fever Pitch’ and David Peace’s ‘The Damned United’.
January 28, 2015
Review also posted on my blog at http://www.reviewedthebook.co.uk/2014...
Whatever Happened to Billy Parks is the ultimate footballing fantasy. How many players would love to go back to that one moment - that penalty miss, that sending off, the wasted chance – and change it? What if changing it could change your life completely, and the life of everyone you’ve ever known? The concept was fantastic and so was the book – brilliantly engaging and clever.
Billy Parks is a fictional footballer created by the author. But honestly I doubted that at times throughout the book. Billy was so believable and felt so real. He was by no means a hero, except maybe to those West Ham fans who adored him on the pitch. His life is tragic, mistake after mistake but I was rooting for him and his moving story.
As the story flawlessly brought flashbacks from his current life – the alcoholism and the opportunity bestowed by The Council of Football Immortals, to his past life – the football, the relationships he had and the bad choices he made, the author effortlessly drew me in to this captivating story. The writing was spectacular, an emotional story mixed with humour, home-truths and a chance to reminisce on the football of old (or learn, since I was born into modern football).
I was in suspense throughout as to which direction Billy Parks’ life was going to head in next. Whatever Happened to Billy Parks was class, a perfect book for football fans but possesses qualities that make it a great read for the strange people with no interest in the sport too. Billy Parks’ fictional story was much more interesting than a lot of real biographies and the writing was better too. A brilliant book.
5/5.
July 29, 2014
"The chronicling of the fall of an alcoholic seems realistic; Parks is a very believable character and the way he reflects on where his life went wrong is handled well. That aspect of the book is better than the fantasy get-out which almost trivialises his real life struggle."
"There is also one thing in the book that is unforgivable and heretical – a heinous literary crime that should carry criminal sanction." Full review at: http://stevek1889.blogspot.co.uk/2014...
"There is also one thing in the book that is unforgivable and heretical – a heinous literary crime that should carry criminal sanction." Full review at: http://stevek1889.blogspot.co.uk/2014...
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews