Stuart Parker (footballer)


Stuart Parker is an English former professional footballer and a current English non-league football manager. He is currently chairman of A.F.C. Blackpool.

Playing career

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.
He sat out the entirety of the domestic season of 1973–74, but appeared for the club in the "Caligaris" International 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.
Parker made thirteen league appearances 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.
Parker signed for Drogheda United in January 1984 and on his debut won the only trophy in his career.

Managing career

Parker 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.

Honours

As a player