SCOTT PARKER’S eyes continue to sparkle with the joyous memories of early morning lorry rides with his father.

They sometimes explored the Kent coastline while Parker accompanied his dad, Michael, during his shifts as a Heinz delivery driver — often ending the trips with sweet ice cream treats and visits to amusement arcades.

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Now at the helm of Burnley, Parker fondly recalls, “As a young boy, I constantly begged my dad to take me on the lorries.

“He would pull me out of school a couple of times a week — probably not the best decision — but we’d rise at 3am to get the lorry.

“Thursdays were special; he’d take me on coastal routes — Ramsgate, Margate — and treat me to amusement park fun afterward.

“For a young child, that was incredible. Those experiences left me with unforgettable memories.”

These cherished moments helped foster the determination that drives him in his current managerial career, especially after enduring a challenging period marked by three sackings — at Fulham, Bournemouth, and Club Brugge.

Despite facing a difficult series of dismissals over just 19 tumultuous months, many might conclude that management wasn’t his calling — yet he successfully led both Fulham and Bournemouth to the Premier League before his time with each club ended.

His tenure in Belgium was brief, lasting only 69 days and encompassing just 12 matches.

He could have easily joined the chorus of disgruntled individuals lamenting perceived injustices.

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However, his only public critique surfaced after a disheartening 9-0 defeat to Liverpool shortly after Bournemouth returned to the Premier League, where he stated his squad was “unequipped” for top-tier competition.

Just four days later, in August 2022, he was let go following losses of 3-0 to Arsenal and 4-0 against Manchester City.

Scott Parker discusses the challenges of coaching Fulham

When questioned why he hadn’t voiced more regarding the sackings that may have impacted him greatly, he candidly stated, “Well, in the last four months, no one ever asked me.”

Parker, 44, gives the impression that he’d rather leap off Margate’s Harbour Arm than lay bare his true feelings.

Yet, for a brief moment, he let his guard down, revealing: “Standing on that touchline at Anfield was an incredibly isolating experience.

“I felt a significant amount of disappointment with how it all concluded, and out of the three, Bournemouth still stings the most. But life marches on.

“The challenges we encounter and the bumps along the way as managers are simply part of the journey.

“Some have knocked me down, but you rise again, dust yourself off, and continue. Certainly, there were moments when things grew very tough — that is undeniable.

“That’s why I took a year off after Brugge; at that point, I had endured many setbacks and needed time to heal, a break from the chaos.

“I had to reassess and realized long ago that while it’s okay to feel sorry for yourself and dwell in negativity, I wasn’t going to do that.

“Not with my upbringing, not from my background — the Lettsom Estate in Camberwell, inner London.

“My dad was a lorry driver, and my mother a special needs teacher; that was our reality.

“It’s not a sob story, but my career symbolizes everything for my parents given our circumstances. Did I ever believe I had exceptional talent? Not at all.

“I never truly compared my past to my present. But I am acutely aware of how drastically different everything could have been for me.

“The cherished memories of trips to Margate are delightful — yet I also acknowledge that my father’s work ethic has profoundly influenced me.

“That’s what I embody today. I have consistently represented working-class values — putting in effort at every opportunity. It’s an essential part of who I am.

“I relate to the individuals at whatever club I’m involved with. They’re working-class people, just like those here at Burnley, because I’m one of them.

“Being one of them inspires me to do everything within my power to elevate this club.”

He is also making noticeable strides; the Clarets head to Stoke today sitting in third place.

And the former West Ham and England midfielder stressed, “Those journeys with my dad remain my most cherished memories, filled with intricate details of those times and places.

“The core values instilled in me remain strong. Though there have been setbacks and successes, it’s undeniably a rollercoaster ride.

“But sitting beside my father in that lorry was pivotal in shaping who I am today, and I take great pride in that.”