Parker, Nigel
Nigel Parker supported Exeter City from an early age and first became a volunteer in 1998. He was a board room host for many years.
Nigel wrote this for the Grecian Archive in October 2024:
"Exeter born and bred is where I start and that's reason my lifelong support of Exeter City. Watched my first City game whilst at Bradley Rowe school and then through my education at Hele's School.and Exeter College. My own football playing career was limited to age fifteen when playing in the Juventus League for Christian Endeavourers before I had to stop all physical contact sport whilst I required hip surgery. But in 2000 I became chairman of Central FC, an Exeter-based youth football club, and I had the honour to remain as chairman for twenty years helping turn Central into the largest youth football club in the city with over 400 members and 27 teams.
I recall sitting on the wall of the St James' Road End watching games, then walking through the Cowshed to the Big Bank to watch the second-half. Following Exeter City was a real passion and, of course, the 1981 FA Cup run was a highlight especially travelling to the away ties at Newcastle, Leicester and Tottenham.
My association with Exeter City started to change from being a supporter to a volunteer in 1998 at which time I worked for Concept Incorporated, the club’s shirt sponsor, and had photographs taken with the then-manager Peter Fox to publicise the sponsorship.
Nigel wrote this for the Grecian Archive in October 2024:
"Exeter born and bred is where I start and that's reason my lifelong support of Exeter City. Watched my first City game whilst at Bradley Rowe school and then through my education at Hele's School.and Exeter College. My own football playing career was limited to age fifteen when playing in the Juventus League for Christian Endeavourers before I had to stop all physical contact sport whilst I required hip surgery. But in 2000 I became chairman of Central FC, an Exeter-based youth football club, and I had the honour to remain as chairman for twenty years helping turn Central into the largest youth football club in the city with over 400 members and 27 teams.
I recall sitting on the wall of the St James' Road End watching games, then walking through the Cowshed to the Big Bank to watch the second-half. Following Exeter City was a real passion and, of course, the 1981 FA Cup run was a highlight especially travelling to the away ties at Newcastle, Leicester and Tottenham.
My association with Exeter City started to change from being a supporter to a volunteer in 1998 at which time I worked for Concept Incorporated, the club’s shirt sponsor, and had photographs taken with the then-manager Peter Fox to publicise the sponsorship.
As part of the package I undertook my first building project at St James' Park which included the refit of the changing rooms and the creation of a new supporters' lounge within the old wooden main grandstand. In fact, long after leaving Concept Incorporated, I worked on other contracts involving the interior design and fit-out of the new home changing rooms when these switched to the newer main stand.
But, after my initial departure from Concept Incorporated around the time of the sponsorship, I worked on the turnstiles until commercial manager Keith Hartshorne recognised me and asked me to become the boardroom host. That was in 1998 and I I am proud to have held the position ever since.
I know how holding this position is a privilege and I always endeavour to portray the club in a polite and professional manner whilst, at the same time, the supporter in me for over fifty years is always bubbling just under the surface."
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