by David Harrison
As a difficult season comes to a close it’s a good moment to say thanks to Malcolm Parker who has been writing the Non-League Paper (NLP) match reports for Corinthian-Casuals home games for the past 18 seasons. He’s covered the worst and best of times for the club, from teetering in the depths of lower leagues to James Bracken leading us to promotion to the Isthmian Premier, and now, sadly, relegation.
Malcolm wrote: “My first Casuals match was in 1998 when we were in the Spartan League. In the early 2000s I was asked by then Press Secretary Rob Cavallini to do some reports for the matchday programme. In the 2004/05 season I was invited to do the home match reports for the Non-League Paper which I have done ever since, missing very few games.”
Due to his tennis commitments Malcolm often arrives at Tolworth only minutes before kick-off. He has to get his report of up to 250 words through to the NLP by 5.30pm. For big games Stuart Tree may add an action photo.
So a quick cup of tea in the boardroom at half-time is all we see of Malcolm. Unusually for a reporter, Malcolm chooses to stand behind one of the goals “near his pals”, rather than sitting in the press box. “When the final whistle blows, I’m off.” He phones the report through from his home nearby.
His best memory? When Corinthian-Casuals won the Surrey Senior Cup in May 2011 at Sutton, beating Leatherhed 2-0 with goals from Dave Hodges and Joel Thompson.
As someone who has stood in for Malcolm on his occasional absence, I can attest that it’s no mean feat to get the report written and phoned in. First make sure you’ve got the scorers right and who assisted – for both sides; then find out other results to see if Casuals’ position in the league table is affected; and even try for a quote from the manager; and all by 5.30pm. Then make sure you get a copy of the NLP on Sunday morning – to find they’ve edited out half your report!
Despite the club’s relegation to the Isthmian South Central League next season we’re delighted that Malcolm will continue reporting. He says that in this lower league the NLP has restricted him to 120 words a match. “Not sure how I’ll manage but I’ll have a go!”
From all of us at Corinthian-Casuals, thank you Malcolm, for your mighty efforts.