Pat Parker (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Patrick John Parker is a retired English
professional footballer who played at centre half for Southampton
in the 1950s.
and after his national service
in the Royal Air Force
he joined Plymouth Argyle
as an amateur in 1949. He failed to make the grade at Argyle and was playing for Newton Abbot on a part-time basis, where he was spotted by Southampton
when the clubs met in a pre-season friendly. Manager Sid Cann
signed Parker in August 1951 and, after a few reserve team matches, he made his first team debut away to Leicester City
on 3 September 1951. His early career was blighted by broken legs, firstly in a pre-season friendly against his former club in 1952 and then a year later in another friendly against an RAF team.
He eventually overcame these difficulties and in April 1954 he replaced Stan Clements
at the heart of Saints' defence. He retained his place for the start of the following season
before losing out to Len Wilkins
. He continued to turn out regularly for the reserves and in turn replaced Wilkins in the centre for the first team; in 1956–57
he was ever-present and his "sterling performances in the heart of the Southampton defence" earned him Divisional representational honours. He was selected to play for the Third Division South team
in 1955/56 and 1956/57.
After 145 games for the Saints, he was transfer listed in 1959 and moved on a free transfer to Poole Town
, along with Southampton team-mates Bryn Elliott and Barry Hillier. After a year with Poole, he moved to the Isle of Wight
to join Cowes Sports
starting a long association with the Cowes club, where he became manager in 1961, continuing to play until 1978.
After retiring from full-time professional football, he worked as a production controller before becoming a sales administrator for International Computers Limited. He now lives in Southampton
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer who played at centre half for Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in the 1950s.
Playing career
Parker was born in Bow, DevonBow, Devon
Bow is a village and civil parish in the Mid Devon district of Devon, England, about 8 miles west of Crediton. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 1,093. There is an adjoining hamlet of Nymet Tracey which shares a church with Bow and much common history.-History:There is a 3rd...
and after his national service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
he joined Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
as an amateur in 1949. He failed to make the grade at Argyle and was playing for Newton Abbot on a part-time basis, where he was spotted by Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
when the clubs met in a pre-season friendly. Manager Sid Cann
Sid Cann
Sydney Thomas Cann was an English professional football defender and football manager. He was capped twice by England at Schools level.-Playing career:...
signed Parker in August 1951 and, after a few reserve team matches, he made his first team debut away to Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
on 3 September 1951. His early career was blighted by broken legs, firstly in a pre-season friendly against his former club in 1952 and then a year later in another friendly against an RAF team.
He eventually overcame these difficulties and in April 1954 he replaced Stan Clements
Stan Clements
Stanley Finlay Thomas "Stan" Clements, is a retired footballer who played most of his professional career for Southampton....
at the heart of Saints' defence. He retained his place for the start of the following season
1954-55 in English football
The 1954–1955 season was the 75th season of competitive football in England, from August 1954 to May 1955:-Overview:* Chelsea win the League Championship for the first time.* Newcastle United win the FA Cup....
before losing out to Len Wilkins
Len Wilkins
Leonard Wilkins was a professional footballer who played his entire career for Southampton from 1945 to 1958.-External links:**...
. He continued to turn out regularly for the reserves and in turn replaced Wilkins in the centre for the first team; in 1956–57
1956-57 in English football
The 1956–57 season was the 77th season of competitive football in England.Manchester United won the First Division to become English football champions for the fifth time. Tottenham Hotspur were runners-up. In the Second Division it was Leicester City who finished in top spot, ahead of East...
he was ever-present and his "sterling performances in the heart of the Southampton defence" earned him Divisional representational honours. He was selected to play for the Third Division South team
Football League Third Division North vs. South Representative Games
The Third Division North and Third Division South of The Football League was a level in English association football, which ran from 1921 to 1958.From 1954–55 season until 1957–58 season, there was a series of games between teams representing the Third Division North and the Third Division South.-...
in 1955/56 and 1956/57.
After 145 games for the Saints, he was transfer listed in 1959 and moved on a free transfer to Poole Town
Poole Town F.C.
Poole Town F.C. is a football club based in Poole, England. They were established in 1890 and joined the Western League Division Two in 1930. They won the Western League title in 1957 and reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup four times in their history. They are currently members of the...
, along with Southampton team-mates Bryn Elliott and Barry Hillier. After a year with Poole, he moved to the Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
to join Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports F.C.
Cowes Sports F.C. is a football club based in Cowes, Isle of Wight, England. They were established in 1881.The history of Cowes Football Club can be traced back to 1881, when the club was originally formed, although competitive action did not arrive until 1886 in the shape of the Hants and Dorset...
starting a long association with the Cowes club, where he became manager in 1961, continuing to play until 1978.
After retiring from full-time professional football, he worked as a production controller before becoming a sales administrator for International Computers Limited. He now lives in Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
.