Ray Parlour has won trophies aplenty during a career spent at the very top with Arsenal, Middlesbrough and England. After being released by the Teessiders, he was a free agent until Hull City boss Phil Brown gave him the chance to add a happy final chapter by helping the Tigers survive relegation from the Championship. Givemefootball's Ian Clarkson caught up with Parlour to find out how he is finding life at the KC Stadium after making his debut as a sub against Derby at the weekend.
Q:HOW DID THE MOVE COME ABOUT, RAY?
A:I left Middlesbrough to be back with my children in London because I was travelling a lot to see them. It wasn't something that suited anyone, really, so I came to an agreement with Boro and got myself sorted out.
Q:HULL ISN'T A MILLION MILES AWAY FROM TEESSIDE, HOW WILL THIS NEW ARRANGEMENT SUIT?
A:I'll be training all week with Arsenal and I've got a good agreement with Hull in that if I don't play I don't get paid. I don't want to take their money for the sake of it and I'm genuinely here to help the club. I want to play a part in helping them stay up.
Q:IT IS A WHILE SINCE YOU LAST PLAYED, AND ARE YOU STILL MATCH FIT?
A:I feel very fit although I before Saturday I hadn't played for nearly four months and I'll get fitter with games. It will take time but hopefully before too long I'll be back. Obviously, you can only build up your fitness through games, but that's not a decision for me, that's one for the manager.
Q:YOU'VE SPENT YOUR WHOLE CAREER IN THE TOP FLIGHT, HOW DOES A RELEGATION BATTLE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP COMPARE?
A:It's my first relegation battle - so it is quite exciting really! I've been very lucky to play with good teams all my life and winning medals so this is the other end of the scale. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather be at the top but we're all playing for something here. The lads are a good bunch and everyone is committed to the cause.
Q:DO YOU LOOK BACK WITH ANY FOOTBALLING REGRETS?
A:No, not really. You can't go back in life or turn back the clock. There's always the next game in football. That's the way it is.
Q:WHAT ARE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS?
A:Well, I've only been here a matter of days, so it's difficult to say really, but I was impressed by the commitment shown by the side at Derby. We were playing a team that was top of the table and in front of a big home crowd were are willing them on and we scored late on to earn a point. Before the game we'd have taken a point all day long against a team that's top of the table. To come back twice and get a result speaks volumes for the lads. Three points would have been better but a point is very good. I'm sure if we show that commitment for the next 14 games we'll be okay.
