10/23/2026 7:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Roy Parkyn is a senior on the Millersville men's soccer team and hails from Broadstairs, England. He came to the U.S. with a dream of playing collegiate soccer but with no promises. He landed at Millersville University and has earned two All-PSAC East First Team honors. In this episode, he discusses growing up in England, the importance of soccer in his family, his travels all over the U.S., and what it is like to be a member of the Millersville men's soccer legacy. This episode is also available with video on YouTube and Spotify.
MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - Roy Parkyn arrived at Millersville University with big dreams, a relentless work ethic, and a love for the game that started long before he ever set foot in the United States. Now a senior from Broadstairs, England, Parkyn has become one of the cornerstones of Millersville men's soccer—a two-time All-PSAC East First Team selection, a two-time PSAC Scholar-Athlete, and the team's leading scorer in 2023 with seven goals.Â
"Hopefully we've got more," Parkyn said of his senior season, with the postseason on the horizon. "(Hosting a championship) here. That was a big goal of ours."
For Parkyn and the Marauders, everything they set out to achieve is still within reach. After a heartbreaking tournament loss on penalty kicks to rival West Chester in 2024 and a runner-up finish in the PSAC Tournament last season, this senior class is determined to finish what it started. "We kind of shot ourselves in the foot a little bit," he said. "We always aim to win the PSAC and to host it this year especially, so they're our main goals."
Finding His Place at Millersville
Parkyn's journey to Millersville wasn't straightforward. Born in North London before moving to the coast, he grew up in a culture where soccer was everything. "It's a lifestyle for a lot of people," he explained. "My dad played football, my granddad played football. I don't even remember life without kicking a soccer ball."
His father's influence runs deep. "He was good," Parkyn said simply, sharing that his dad signed professionally with Charlton Athletic and played at a high level into his forties. That passion carried Roy across the Atlantic, where he spent a year playing in the UPSL and taking classes at Harrisburg Area Community College before earning his opportunity with Millersville.
He left England for the United States with no promise of a scholarship. No promise of a roster spot. Parkyn landed in Lancaster, attended one of Coach Steve Widdowson's camps and Millersville and found his home.Â
Coach Widdowson's first impression stuck with him. "He just tells me how it is," Parkyn said. "He's probably the best coach I've had. He's always going to demand the same standards, and that makes you a better player and a better person."
Building a Culture of Winning
Millersville men's soccer has long been one of the PSAC's most consistent programs, and Parkyn believes the togetherness of the team is what sets it apart. "Coach Widdowson always drives the fact that we have to be together," he said. "We work hard in training every day, and it just correlates to the field."
That standard is built on three core values: passion, discipline, and ambition.Â
"Passion is easy—I've always cared about the sport," Parkyn explained. "Discipline is a big part of everyday life. It's not just kicking a ball, it's doing your schoolwork, cleaning your room—little things that correlate to the field. And being ambitious means we don't just want to compete, we want to win."
Leadership has become a central part of Parkyn's identity. "As a freshman I was careless, I just wanted to play," he said. "Now, as a captain, I need to help my freshmen and sophomores. It's not all about shouting and telling them what to do—it's about setting the right example."
Embracing the Big Moments
This season, Parkyn has stepped up in the biggest moments. Despite playing a deeper role, he leads the team in goals, including three from the penalty spot. His approach is simple: "I think just not to think about it too much. I look at the keeper, look at the ball, pick where I want to go, and just put it there."
He's also learned to embrace the intensity of the PSAC. "It's definitely tough," he said. "Especially in the postseason when you've played each other twice. It definitely does affect you mentally going into it differently, but it's fun."
That edge is part of what defines a Millersville soccer player. "They're hardworking, they try to be humble, and they give everything for their teammates," Parkyn said. "I'm not playing for me, I'm playing for the rest of the boys."
A World of Experiences
Soccer has taken Parkyn far beyond Pennsylvania. In the preseason, he experienced a special journey of returning home with his team to England, a Millersville tradition that allows every four-year player to experience the game abroad. "It was great," he said. "I hadn't seen my family since March. Playing Barnsley Academy and beating them gave us some confidence, and we got to train at England's training ground and Liverpool's training ground."
He's also spent summers coaching at camps across the United States, including a memorable stint in Hawaii this past summer. "That's been one of the best parts of America," he said. "It's crazy how different the sides of the island are. The worst part is the time zone—it was really hard to communicate back home—but it was fun."
Looking Ahead
As an international business major, Parkyn isn't entirely sure what's next, but he's excited for the future. "I'm going to try either sort out being a graduate assistant somewhere and get my master's or I'll just work," he said. "I do want to stay involved in the game, but I'm also going to prioritize other parts of my life if I have to."
Before he leaves, though, he hopes his class leaves a lasting mark. "I hope that we can just give the young guys the best experience," Parkyn said. "That's what I got as a freshman—I had a great senior class that won us a PSAC. I hope we can do the same.""
MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - Roy Parkyn arrived at Millersville University with big dreams, a relentless work ethic, and a love for the game that started long before he ever set foot in the United States. Now a senior from Broadstairs, England, Parkyn has become one of the cornerstones of Millersville men's soccer—a two-time All-PSAC East First Team selection, a two-time PSAC Scholar-Athlete, and the team's leading scorer in 2023 with seven goals.Â
"Hopefully we've got more," Parkyn said of his senior season, with the postseason on the horizon. "(Hosting a championship) here. That was a big goal of ours."
For Parkyn and the Marauders, everything they set out to achieve is still within reach. After a heartbreaking tournament loss on penalty kicks to rival West Chester in 2024 and a runner-up finish in the PSAC Tournament last season, this senior class is determined to finish what it started. "We kind of shot ourselves in the foot a little bit," he said. "We always aim to win the PSAC and to host it this year especially, so they're our main goals."
Finding His Place at Millersville
Parkyn's journey to Millersville wasn't straightforward. Born in North London before moving to the coast, he grew up in a culture where soccer was everything. "It's a lifestyle for a lot of people," he explained. "My dad played football, my granddad played football. I don't even remember life without kicking a soccer ball."
His father's influence runs deep. "He was good," Parkyn said simply, sharing that his dad signed professionally with Charlton Athletic and played at a high level into his forties. That passion carried Roy across the Atlantic, where he spent a year playing in the UPSL and taking classes at Harrisburg Area Community College before earning his opportunity with Millersville.
He left England for the United States with no promise of a scholarship. No promise of a roster spot. Parkyn landed in Lancaster, attended one of Coach Steve Widdowson's camps and Millersville and found his home.Â
Coach Widdowson's first impression stuck with him. "He just tells me how it is," Parkyn said. "He's probably the best coach I've had. He's always going to demand the same standards, and that makes you a better player and a better person."
Building a Culture of Winning
Millersville men's soccer has long been one of the PSAC's most consistent programs, and Parkyn believes the togetherness of the team is what sets it apart. "Coach Widdowson always drives the fact that we have to be together," he said. "We work hard in training every day, and it just correlates to the field."
That standard is built on three core values: passion, discipline, and ambition.Â
"Passion is easy—I've always cared about the sport," Parkyn explained. "Discipline is a big part of everyday life. It's not just kicking a ball, it's doing your schoolwork, cleaning your room—little things that correlate to the field. And being ambitious means we don't just want to compete, we want to win."
Leadership has become a central part of Parkyn's identity. "As a freshman I was careless, I just wanted to play," he said. "Now, as a captain, I need to help my freshmen and sophomores. It's not all about shouting and telling them what to do—it's about setting the right example."
Embracing the Big Moments
This season, Parkyn has stepped up in the biggest moments. Despite playing a deeper role, he leads the team in goals, including three from the penalty spot. His approach is simple: "I think just not to think about it too much. I look at the keeper, look at the ball, pick where I want to go, and just put it there."
He's also learned to embrace the intensity of the PSAC. "It's definitely tough," he said. "Especially in the postseason when you've played each other twice. It definitely does affect you mentally going into it differently, but it's fun."
That edge is part of what defines a Millersville soccer player. "They're hardworking, they try to be humble, and they give everything for their teammates," Parkyn said. "I'm not playing for me, I'm playing for the rest of the boys."
A World of Experiences
Soccer has taken Parkyn far beyond Pennsylvania. In the preseason, he experienced a special journey of returning home with his team to England, a Millersville tradition that allows every four-year player to experience the game abroad. "It was great," he said. "I hadn't seen my family since March. Playing Barnsley Academy and beating them gave us some confidence, and we got to train at England's training ground and Liverpool's training ground."
He's also spent summers coaching at camps across the United States, including a memorable stint in Hawaii this past summer. "That's been one of the best parts of America," he said. "It's crazy how different the sides of the island are. The worst part is the time zone—it was really hard to communicate back home—but it was fun."
Looking Ahead
As an international business major, Parkyn isn't entirely sure what's next, but he's excited for the future. "I'm going to try either sort out being a graduate assistant somewhere and get my master's or I'll just work," he said. "I do want to stay involved in the game, but I'm also going to prioritize other parts of my life if I have to."
Before he leaves, though, he hopes his class leaves a lasting mark. "I hope that we can just give the young guys the best experience," Parkyn said. "That's what I got as a freshman—I had a great senior class that won us a PSAC. I hope we can do the same.""
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