Alex Parker
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Alexander Hershaw Parker | ||
Date of birth | 2 August 1935 | ||
Place of birth | Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland | ||
Date of death | 7 January 2010 74)[1] | (aged||
Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||
Playing position | Right back | ||
Youth career | |||
1950–1952 | Kello Rovers | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1952–1958 | Falkirk | 121 | (2) |
1958–1965 | Everton | 198 | (5) |
1965–1968 | Southport | 76 | (0) |
1968–1969 | Ballymena United | ? | (?) |
1969–1970 | Drumcondra | 4 | (0) |
National team | |||
1955–1958 | Scotland | 15 | (0) |
1955–1958 | Scottish League XI | 9 | (0) |
Teams managed | |||
1968–1969 | Ballymena United | ||
1970–1971 | Southport | ||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
Alexander "Alex" Hershaw Parker (2 August 1935 – 7 January 2010) was a Scottish football player and manager who played for Falkirk, Everton and Scotland, amongst others. Parker was named in Falkirk's Team of the Millennium and Everton's Hall of Fame.[2]
Parker, a fullback, began his career with Kello Rovers, turning semi-professional when he joined Falkirk in 1952. The highlight of Parker's time with the Bairns was their 1957 Scottish Cup victory, as they defeated Kilmarnock in a replayed final.[1] He also became a Scotland international during this period, earning his first cap against Portugal in 1955.[1] He was selected in the squad for the 1958 FIFA World Cup, making one appearance against Paraguay.[1] This also transpired to be his final national team cap, which is regarded as "perverse"; former teammate Alex Young stated that Parker was still the best player in his position in Britain.[2] Parker also represented the Scottish League XI.[3]
Parker moved to Merseyside in 1958 when Everton paid £18,000 for his transfer,[2] although his Toffees debut was delayed by his requirement to fulfil National Service in Cyprus.[1] He eventually became a stalwart in the side which won the 1962–63 league championship, finishing six points ahead of runners-up Tottenham.[1]
After this triumph, however, hamstring injuries started to trouble Parker,[2] and he left Goodison Park in 1965 to join Southport, for £2,000. After 3 years with the Sandgrounders he moved to Northern Ireland to become player-manager of Ballymena United.
He signed for Drumcondra F.C. in December 1969 and made his League of Ireland debut at Tolka Park on 4 January 1970 in a 3–1 defeat to Dundalk. He left for Southport after only three months, where he was given a coaching role. Two months later he was promoted to manager but this appointment lasted only a single season.
After his retirement from the footballing world, Parker became a publican in Runcorn. He then lived in Gretna, Dumfriesshire.
Parker died of a heart attack on 7 January 2010.[1]
Honours
- Falkirk
- Scottish Cup (1): 1956–57
- Everton
- First Division (1): 1962–63
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Everton legend of the sixties Alex Parker passes away, Liverpool Echo, 8 January 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 Passing of Parker marks loss of Falkirk's finest from golden era, The Scotsman, 9 January 2010.
- ↑ "Scotland FL Players by Appearances". Londonhearts.com. London Hearts Supporters' Club. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
External links
- Newcastle Fans profile
- Brief Biography at legends section of official Everton site