Given the duo's longevity and success in football, you would think the game had brought them together at some point.

In many ways, it did. But not in a manner that you would expect.

On Saturday they will be standing in opposite dugouts at Blackburn Rovers' Ewood Park. Twenty-five years ago, they were standing on ceremony on the island of Barbados.

Parker's wedding ceremony in fact, with Mowbray stepping in when a witness was needed so that the happy occasion could go ahead.

"I was at Scott's wedding on the beach in Barbados, Sandy Lane, I don't know how long ago. Over 25 years probably. That's how far back we go," smiled Mowbray, recalling his role as the 'something borrowed'.

"I was on holiday with my wife and he needed a witness. So, he kindly asked me if I would be his witness at his wedding, which was very nice.

"A lovely sandy beach and a lovely hotel in a lovely part of the world, with his lovely wife starting off on their journey together. It was nice."

Mention Parker's name and there is obvious affection in Mowbray's voice. He talks less about tactics and trophies than character, describing the former England midfielder as the sort of football man he naturally gravitates towards.

"I like Scotty, he's a good guy. He's got a lovely family," he said.

"His dress sense has changed a bit over the years!

"But I like Scott Parker. He was a brilliant professional footballer who every club he played for he became a fans' favourite because of the desire and the tenacity that he played with."

Tony Mowbray and Scott Parker, then Fulham manager. (Image: PA)

Parker earned admirers throughout a playing career that took him from Charlton Athletic to Fulham, with moves to Chelsea, Newcastle, West Ham and Spurs in between, and Mowbray believes many of the qualities that made him popular in the dressing room have followed him into management.

"He's always very amenable and always reminds me of those days (in Barbados)," said the Rovers boss.

"He sees the game as most people would see the game and he knows when his team's not won and he's pretty honest, like I think I am.

"He got sent off when I was at West Brom and he was at Burnley; there was an altercation at the end of the game - not with me - but Scott got sent off after the final whistle. But he's generally pretty calm I think."

As a player, Parker made 129 appearances for West Ham between 2007 and 2011, during which time he was named Hammer of the Year three times in a row and won the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award in his final season at Upton Park.

The former Bournemouth, Fulham and Burnley boss remained a popular figure among supporters, which Mowbray says should work to his advantage.

"He knows West Ham, he played at West Ham for a long time, and so the fans will know what's coming," said the Rovers head coach.

Yet Mowbray believes only time will tell whether his football philosophy proves the perfect fit, pointing to Parker's promotion with Burnley as evidence that success does not always come packaged in the style supporters want or expect.

"Strangely enough, if you look back to... I know our fans might not want to hear it, but when Burnley got promoted with only 16 goals conceded in 40-odd games, it's quite an amazing season," Mowbray said.

"What I'm trying to say is whether he's the dynamic, open, aggressive, front-foot manager that West Ham United at times expect and want to see, fast attacking, flowing football - whether it fits, only time will tell."

For 90 minutes at Ewood Park, nostalgia and friendships will be put to one side. Mowbray will attempt to overcome a familiar face in the opposite technical area, while Parker is beginning another chapter at a club that helped define his career.

And Mowbray is braced for what has become known as the 'new manager bounce'.

"It's all about the emotion of the players and what they think, are they excited by the new coach, because I think generally football teams by into what the new manager wants to do. You have to buy into it if you want to be a part of it.

"I think the players will be: 'What's the first session like? What's his pre-match talk like? What's his half-time talk like? How emotional is he? Does he get angry?' All of that, and they either buy into it or they don't.

"I'm not sure what's coming. Here's me studying West Ham and he might do something, everything, different from what the last manager did.

"The bottom line is you know most of the players at West Ham, we know they're high quality and there's a lot of power and pace in the team, so we have to be ready for power and pace and dealing with their set plays as well but also dealing with the direct wingers who can really take the full backs on and go past them.

"It's a tough challenge for us. It's a great game for us. Let's go and be who we are and let's go and take them on, let's believe in our quality with the ball and see if we can ask questions of them and if they over commit we can get through them and get behind them and try to score some goals."