By apb
July 14 2004

So, it seems we have an unexpected new recruit to the fold - one Richard Parks. I thought - primarily to keep the site ticking over, I'd put together a quick article on the man, and as usual, did my major research through the extensive use of www.altavista.co.uk.

What I found was something of a shock, since it appears that our new flanker has undergone something of a massive career change. He started off in life as a a radio reporter and presenter specialising in music and sports programming. He soon became head of entertainment at Radio Clyde before making the move away from his native Scotland to join Capital Radio. He became director of Wildstar Records - notably responsible for signing Craig David ("proper Bo, ah Tell tha'") before making his most famous move as Headteacher of the BBC's Fame Academy.

Quite where he found time to play rugby for Welsh Youth, Wales Universities, Wales Medicals, Wales Sevens, Wales A and Wales is difficult to say!

Seriously, the real Richard Parks - the guy we've actually recruited (at least I hope so!) is described on www.ponty.net as a 6' 2", 16st 3lb flanker who played for Natal Province U19s before returning to his native Wales to play for Newport, and - following a back injury that put him out of action in 1998 - for Pontypridd in 1999. He describes his heroes as Muhammed Ali, Lance Armstrong and John Shaft, so if he models himself on all three, we should have a good mix of strength, stamina, mental toughness and prolific tackling!

To find out more about him, click here

To see the official announcement, click here and here

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