| Alex Parker | |
| Fullname: | Alexander Hershaw Parker |
| Birth Date: | 2 August 1935 |
| Birth Place: | Irvine, Scotland |
| Death Date: | [1] |
| Death Place: | Gretna, Scotland |
| Position: | Right back |
| Youthyears1: | 1950–1952 |
| Youthclubs1: | Kello Rovers |
| Years1: | 1952–1958 |
| Years2: | 1958–1965 |
| Years3: | 1965–1968 |
| Years4: | 1968–1969 |
| Years5: | 1969–1970 |
| Clubs5: | Drumcondra |
| Caps1: | 121 |
| Caps2: | 198 |
| Caps3: | 76 |
| Caps4: | ? |
| Caps5: | 4 |
| Goals1: | 2 |
| Goals2: | 5 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Goals4: | ? |
| Goals5: | 0 |
| Nationalyears1: | 1955–1958[2] |
| Nationalteam1: | Scotland U23 |
| Nationalcaps1: | 6 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 0 |
| Nationalyears2: | 1955[3] |
| Nationalteam2: | Scotland B vs A trial |
| Nationalcaps2: | 1 |
| Nationalgoals2: | 0 |
| Nationalyears3: | 1955–1958 |
| Nationalteam3: | Scotland |
| Nationalcaps3: | 15 |
| Nationalgoals3: | 0 |
| Nationalyears4: | 1955–1958 |
| Nationalteam4: | Scottish Football League XI |
| Nationalcaps4: | 9 |
| Nationalgoals4: | 0 |
| Nationalyears5: | 1958–1960[4] [5] [6] |
| Nationalteam5: | SFA trial v SFL |
| Nationalcaps5: | 3 |
| Nationalgoals5: | 0 |
| Manageryears1: | 1968–1969 |
| Manageryears2: | 1970–1971 |
| Managerclubs1: | Ballymena United |
| Managerclubs2: | Southport |
Alexander Hershaw Parker (2 August 1935 – 7 January 2010) was a Scottish football player and manager. Parker played for Falkirk, Everton and Scotland, amongst others. Parker was named in Falkirk's Team of the Millennium and Everton's Hall of Fame.
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]
Parker moved to Merseyside in June[7] 1958[8] when Everton paid £18,000 in a double signing of Parker and Eddie O'Hara both from Falkirk.[9] Parker's 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, and he left Goodison Park in 1965.
He joined Southport for £2,000. He stayed 3 years with the Sandgrounders.
Parker next 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 after only three months to return to the UK.
Parker gained his first cap for Scotland against Portugal in 1955 while playing for Falkirk.[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 some regarded as "perverse"; former teammate Alex Young stated that Parker was still the best player in his position in Britain.[10] Parker also represented the Scottish Football League XI.[11]
Parker returned to Souhtport 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]
| Scotland national team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals | |
| 1955 | 5 | 0 | |
| 1956 | 5 | 0 | |
| 1957 | 3 | 0 | |
| 1958 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 15 | 0 | |
1957[15]