Stuart Parker (footballer, born 1954)

Stuart Parker (born 16 February 1954 in Preston) is an English former professional footballer and a current English non-league football manager. He is currently chairman of A.F.C. Blackpool.

Stuart Parker
Personal information
Full name Stuart Parker
Date of birth (1954-02-16) 16 February 1954 (age 70)
Place of birth Preston, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1]
Team information
Current team
A.F.C. Blackpool (chairman)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1972–1975 Blackpool 16 (2)
1975–1977 Southend United 64 (23)
1977–1978 Chesterfield 34 (8)
1978–1979 Sparta Rotterdam 7 (1)
1979–1980 Blackburn Rovers 9 (1)
1980–1981 Tsuen Wan ? (?)
1981–1982 K.V. Mechelen ? (?)
1982–1983 Bury 34 (9)
1983 Chester City 9 (5)
1983–1984 Drogheda United 3 (1)
1984 Stockport County 1 (0)
1984 Witton Albion ? (?)
1984 Irlam Town ? (?)
1984–1985 Runcorn 29 (3)
1985–1986 Barrow 15 (0)
1985–1986 South Liverpool 48 (1)
1986–1988 Northwich Victoria 58 (5)
1988–1989 Hyde United 5 (2)
Managerial career
2000–2005 Blackpool Mechanics
2005–2006 Squires Gate
2007–2017 A.F.C. Blackpool
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

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Parker began his career with Blackpool in 1972, making his debut under Bob Stokoe as a substitute in a 1–1 draw with Orient at Bloomfield Road on 16 September. He made two more appearances, both starts, during the remainder of the 1972–73 season.[2]

He sat out the entirety of the domestic season of 1973–74,[3] but appeared for the club in the "Caligaris" International (under-21) Tournament in northern Italy during the summer. He scored two goals in the final, against Napoli, as Blackpool became the first English club to win the tournament.[4]

Parker made thirteen league appearances (eight starts, five substitute) in 1974–75. He scored his first goal for the club on 24 September, in a 4–0 home victory over Cardiff City. He scored his only other goal for the Tangerines in the very next game, four days later, a 3–1 win at Bristol Rovers. His final appearance for the club occurred in a 4–0 defeat at Manchester United in the final game of the season, on 26 April.[5]

Parker signed for Drogheda United in January 1984 and on his debut won the only trophy in his career.[6]

Managing career

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Parker started his managerial career as Assistant Manager at the top Blackpool Sunday league side Mammas FC who won back to back Lancashire Sunday Trophy titles in the mid nineties before he became manager of Blackpool Mechanics in 2000. In 2005 he was appointed manager of Squires Gate, leaving the following year. He returned to Blackpool Mechanics as manager in 2007, with the club being renamed AFC Blackpool the following year. He remained manager until the end of the 2016–17, when he became club chairman.[7]

Honours

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As a player

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As a manager

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References

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  1. ^ Rollin, Jack, ed. (1980). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1980–81. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 66. ISBN 0362020175.
  2. ^ Calley, Roy (1992). Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887–1992. Breedon Books Sport. p. 320. ISBN 978-1-873626-07-8.
  3. ^ Calley 1992, p. 322.
  4. ^ "The Forgotten Italian Job of 1974 – Blackpool FC – It's not Orange It's Tangerine". Blackpool-mad.co.uk. 24 March 2009. Archived from the original on 9 February 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
  5. ^ Calley 1992, p. 324.
  6. ^ "Friday, January 6, 1984 – Page 003". The Irish Times. 6 January 1984. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
  7. ^ All change at the top for AFC Blackpool Blackpool Gazette, 14 May 2017
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