'games against spurs and millwall were must-wins'

"I always looked forward to local derbies. We usually did reasonably well against Spurs so I was quite lucky in that respect because they were games you just don't want to lose. I never minded if we didn't do so well against other clubs but the games against Spurs and Millwall were always the ones we had to win."
Parris, 43, made over 300 appearances for the Hammers before moving to Birmingham City in 1993. The Barking-born midfielder, who also played at full-back, has fond memories of his 11 years at Upton Park.
"I was lucky to be there for quite a while," he said. "It's only when you stop playing you realise how lucky you were. We had some good cup runs and the 1985-86 season was very special."
That campaign, when the Irons achieved their highest-ever placing of third in the old Division One, is Parris' fondest memory.
He said: "Any other year we would have won the league but the two sides who finished above us, Liverpool and Everton, were really special.
"But to get so close was great and we tried our best. We had an exceptional squad with some great players. Phil Parkes in goal was brilliant. If he was playing now he'd be a certainty for the England side. Then we had guys like Alvin Martin, Ray Stewart, Tony Cottee and Frank McAvennie who were all class players, although I don't think they got the recognition they deserved at the time."
If that season was a highlight, Parris has no doubts about his worst experience.
"The FA Cup semi-final defeat to Nottingham Forest in 1991," he said. "That's the only time I ever felt cheated on the pitch. Tony Gale got sent off early on, harshly, and I regret never knowing how we would have done with a full-strength team.
"As it was I hit the post just before half-time and we had another good chance early in the second half and if either of them had gone in it might have been a different story. But that's football."
Now a youth coach, Parris organises an annual tournament giving young Hammers fans the chance to play at Upton Park. Next year the tournament, for under-9s to under-12s, takes place on Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1.
Parris said: "It's a great opportunity for them to play on a Premier League pitch; that's something we never had when I was a boy. There are a lot of West Ham fans around so it's perfect for them, and they'll even get to see the dressing rooms."
For details contact Jeff Garner at jeff@footballforfans.co.uk or on 07941 877570.
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