TREVOR Parker, one of the biggest names in local non-League football in the 1980s and 90s, has passed away.

A great character, Parker famously steered Fareham Town to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy in 1986/87 and, in May 1998, led Eastleigh Social Club to Wembley for the final of the Carlsberg Pub Cup.

Having achieved Southampton FA success with Millbrook and Maybush, Parker spent six successful years with Totton before spells with Fareham and Basingstoke Town.

He swapped Basingstoke for triple Wessex League champions Bashley in April 1989 and worked wonders at the New Forest club, guiding them to the old South Division title at the first attempt.

That took them into the Premier Division, then the equivalent of the National League South, where the village club rubbed shoulders with the likes of Burton Albion.

Parker went on to manage Poole Town, whose current boss Tommy Killick, responding to the sad news, tweeted: “Very sorry to hear this – he was manager during my time with Bashley – a real character – my thoughts go to his family.”

In 1999 Parker became Eastleigh manager, linking up with then chairman Roger Sherwood, his old Millbrook school buddy.

Fareham Town tweeted: “We are saddened to hear of the death of former manager Trevor Parker.

"Trevor will be most famous for guiding us to the FA Trophy semi-finals. Our thoughts and condolences go to Trevor's family & friends.”