Ex-footballer stars in church concert
From defending against Pelé to finding God in music
International singer and former professional footballer David Parkes is set to perform at St Bride’s Church next month.
David, who played against Brazilian legend Pelé and has performed on stage with Daniel O’Donnell in his native Ireland, will travel all the way from Bosnia for the show ‘An Evening with David Parkes’.
The footballer turned pop singer, who suffers from Crohn’s disease, settled in the town of Medjugorje, where he was given the devastating news that he had two weeks to live. However, according to doctors, he received a miracle cure.
Helping to bring the event to town is local man Matt Lynch, who said: “I was so impressed with David’s singing and his healing story that I, along with a few friends, just had to bring him to Scotland.
“It promises to be a great night of entertainment as we also have Franklyn, a young female singer who has performed in Belfast, at Celtic Connections and many other events through Scotland.”
Medjugorje is a village located in the Herzegovina region of Bosnia, close to the border of Croatia. Since 1981, it has become a popular site of Catholic pilgrimage due to reports of alleged apparitions of the Virgin Mary to six local children.
Over 30 years later, the “apparitions” continue and millions of people from all over the world have descended on the village.
Dublin-born David, who plays a big part in a BBC documentary on Medjugorje, said: “I was 27 when I had to give up professional football in the Irish league and so I turned to my next great love ... pop singing!
“For the next 14 years I toured all over Ireland and beyond with the seven-piece band, but then tragedy struck.
“After suffering from Crohn’s disease for many years and going through 13 operations doctors told me there was no hope.
“In 1989 in Medjugorje the good Lord wanted me to do some work for him there. And it took me 14 years to get me to say ‘yes’.
“So I went to Medjugorje with two weeks to live and, according to the doctors, I received a miracle cure.
“My relationship with God is now unbelievable. I just can’t believe it. He has a plan. He will take you wherever he wants.”
On the music front, David launched single Let Me Live through his record label in Boston which has taken him all over the world.
Tickets for the event can be purchased by contacting Matt Lynch on 07971234313.