Biography
Centre back Keith Parkinson joined Hull City on a month’s loan in November 1981, an arrival that coincided with the Tigers seeing several League matches postponed and embarking on a protracted series of FA Cup ties against Rochdale, in which Keith was unable to participate. His sole first team appearance came at Bury when he came on as substitute for the last eleven minutes of a 2-0 Tigers victory, courtesy of goals from Steve McClaren and Garreth Roberts. City manager Mike Smith allowed Parkinson to return to his parent club, Leeds United, at the end of the loan spell in late December 1981 as the club’s financial perils meant they were unable to pay the £30,000 fee demanded to sign him permanently.
Keith James Parkinson was born in Preston, as a youngster his footballing skills and height combined to attract the attention of Division One giants Leeds United, having played for Preston Boys and Lancashire Boys as a teenager. The Whites introduced him to their youth system during the 1971/72 season when he played as a forward, though by the time Parkinson was awarded his first professional contract in February 1973 he was combining striker and centre back duties.
However it wasn’t until February 1976 that Parkinson managed to find a way into the Leeds first team when he replaced Peter Lorimer after 20 minutes of a Division One home match against Middlesbrough. A fractured cheekbone sustained during his debut sidelined him for several weeks but he returned to start three consecutive League games in April 1976. Keith then had to wait for another 18 months for his next senior appearance in October 1977 against Liverpool when he replaced Arthur Graham, the brother of ex-Tiger Jimmy Graham.
Keith made 12 senior appearances in the 1977/78 season that included the first leg of the League Cup Semi Final against Nottingham Forest. After six appearances during the 1978/79 season Parkinson managed 13 appearances in the following season including two UEFA Cup appearances against Maltese side Valetta and Romanian side Universitatea Craiova. Now 24 years of age, this was make or break time for Keith, but unfortunately in the 1980/81 season he was used only three times during March 1981. In August 1981 a proposed loan move to Bristol Rovers, managed by former Leeds teammate Terry Cooper, collapsed and by the time Parkinson had his loan spell at Hull City in November 1981 Leeds were intent on off-loading the big defender.
Parkinson had his Leeds United contract paid up in January 1982 and was handed a free transfer having made 38 senior appearances in eight years. In January 1982 he joined Division Three side Doncaster Rovers, who were managed by ex-Leeds star (and ex-Tiger) Billy Bremner. After five appearances in January and February 1982 Keith was not able to retain a first team shirt and his contract was cancelled in December 1982. He retired from professional football and joined the West Yorkshire Police force, where he worked for over 25 years.
Details
Nationality: England
Date/Place of Birth: 28 January 1956, Preston
Hull City First Game: 28 November 1981, Bury A (Division Four), 25 years, 304 days old
Hull City Final Game: 28 November 1981, Bury A (Division Four), 25 years, 304 days old
Clubs
Leeds United (1973-1981), Hull City (1981, loan), Doncaster Rovers (1982)
Hull City Record
Career: 1 apps, 0 goals
Keith Parkinson| Season | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981/82 | 0 (1) | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |