Past Les 'Salty' Parish (1980-1985)

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Wikipedia

Les 'Salty' Parish (28 September 1955–1990s) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy and Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Parish originally trialed at North Melbourne, having come to Melbourne from Yarrawonga. A ruck-rover and utility, he was signed by Fitzroy and gave the club good service over six seasons.

He kicked 21 goals in 1981, two of them in an Elimination Final win over Essendon. Parish also played finals football in 1983, when he didn't miss a game all year, and again in 1984. He was Fitzroy's third best vote getter at the 1982 Brownlow Medal count and equal second in 1983. He finished his VFL career at Melbourne, after being transferred to Melbourne during the 1985 season due to salary cap restrictions.

Known for his many tattoos, he continued playing at Yarrawonga in the Ovens & Murray Football League upon leaving Melbourne and won their 'Best & Fairest' in 1986 and 1987, having also won the award in the three seasons before he joined Fitzroy. He died of cancer in the 1990s.

Statistics:

afl tables

 

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Melbourne bio

Parish was rejected by North Melbourne as a youngster, but became a fine player for the Lions throughout nearly 100 games. From Yarrawonga, he was a tough ruck-rover and utility who could pick up plenty of possessions. His toughness was shown when he fractured vertebrae in his neck in a training accident, and was back in action within five weeks. He was cleared to Melbourne for one last season because of salary cap restrictions

Demonwiki

Initially rejected by North Melbourne, the Roys signed 'Salty' Parish in 1980 and got 87 games out of him as a tough ruck-rover before he was transferred to the Demons halfway through 1985 as part of the deal which saw Kelly O'Donnell join the Lions. He played out the rest of the season before his career ended. Parish passed away from cancer in 1998 aged 42.

 

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Number 27

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Les Parish - still a Lionhearted fighter

Les Parish was a rogue Royboy. He played "sort of" centre half forward, but just about everywhere else, simultaneously. He was more leopard than lion, cabale of gliding around the snail killer all day, never running out of puff.

When I remember Les "Tatts" Parish, I immediately see in my mind hundreds of unselfish physical moments on behalf of his bretheren.

He was a good, strong mark, and possessed a rather bullocking, no stuffing around style, similar to a decent barman on his day, when pub clients come in on pay-day thirsty and fairly well behaved. They drink beyond belief, but don't insult the women. Les Parish would never insult the women. He is one of natures gentlemen.

He was a quick and talented boot of the ball and his long, raking left foot drop punts were good to look at. Les understood the wind and had an uncanny ability to drop the football into the sure hands of Garry Wilson as "Flea" ran into yet another open goal.

 

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Moments in Time
Paul Daffey

Of the 1981 game in the photo, McMahon recalled that Fitzroy won in a hard slog. "As you can see, it was just slop," he said. The former tough half-forward and centreman, who now owns Hume Highway Timber, was keen to recall the performance of former teammate Les Parish, who kicked five goals that day to be Fitzroy's best player (regular leading goal-scorer Bernie Quinlan kicked three goals). Parish, renowned for his tattoos in an era when they spoke of hard men rather than fashion sense, died from cancer before his 40th birthday. "He was a lovely bloke," McMahon said.

 

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Robert Walls

I still remember Les Parish, who was one player I played with and then later coached, had to be sold mid-season to generate some money.

Les came to the Club as an older player and was much loved by his teammates. But he went to Melbourne and it was like we had lost a member of our family. That part was tough.

Of course Les passed away at a very young age, but he left an impression on all his teammates. I remember they played a game for him up on the river and his old teammates came from everywhere to watch. Ron Alexander came over from Perth, Bobby Beecroft came from Adelaide and everyone dropped what they were doing to be there and honour a mate.

That was the sort of spirit that was at Fitzroy.

 

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Ovens and Murray Football League

Multiple Club B&Fs

YARRAWONGA
5 - Les Parish (1977, 1978, 1979, 1986, 1987)

Link

"No-one at the club had kicked a 100 since 17-year-old "Salty" Parish, before he went to Fitzroy."

 

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Link ....

I grew up in a small country town in Victoria and being the FFC nut I know you are, you'd be familiar with the postie in my little town, one Les 'Salty' Parish (27) (RIP). Salty married Jenny Bunn, who's mother Rose worked with my mum at the Lee Jeans factory. Salty's father-in-law Des used to race greyhounds, and he took me to the dishlickers on a few occasions. I was very young, but I remember going on a training run with Salty and Rene Kink in my home town, bouncing the Sherrin and absorbing the admiring gapes of the milkbar cowboys. I used to go and stay with my grandparents in Oakleigh every school holiday and my grandad took me to Fitzroy games. Salty would always arrange for me to get into the rooms.

 

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BigFooty Thread

I hate to bring up tragedies, but I'm trying to update this page (http://wiki.fcmelbourne.com.au/tiki-index.php?page=Les+Parish) and was wondering if anyone could confirm when he passed away? The conflicting reports I can find online can't decide between the mid 90's or early 00's.

Much appreciated

Not exactly sure of the date but if you would like to private message me i will find out .He played his final years with us at Cobram and his son Toby is playing at the club.A legend of country football and Cobram presents a Fitzroy jumper to our most determined player each year in honor of Salty,a cherished trophy to win!

A legend of the game as far as Fitzroy supporters are concerned. I got pissed with him in the MCG Hotel one night, after a Fitzroy win at the MCG. 'Salty' didn't enjoy the stuck up people in the members area there, so he came to have a drink with the ordinary supporters. I can tell you it left a lasting impression on me, and all Roys supporters who were there.

A 24 carat-gold genuine bloke who didn't have tickets on himself. There are a few current players who could learn from him, though most of them are OK too.

Totally agree. A Fitzroy legend. Taken too young.

My favourite player growing up. I had the 27 on the back of the duffel coat. A great man sorely missed.

A "wake" was held for Salty at Matt Rendell's pub, The Motel in Sth Melb shortly before he died. A huge percentage of his former teammates at Fitzroy turned up to support him & his family. My guess is it would have been around 1999.

 

[Mr Ripper]

I remember Les lining up Simon Beasley out at Footscray one day - and if he'd connected, I don't think "The Pieman" would have been around long enough to become a dodgy bookmaker.

 

[Loyal Lion]

He was a fantastic player was Salty. Was probably the best ruck-rover in the VFL in 1983...Just a ball magnet in his day with a deadly left foot.