Cod Almighty | Article

by Various

1 July 2004

Eh up! Signing this lad was something of a coup for our Russ. For a start, some of us had actually heard of him. Russ has made use of his contacts at Bramall Lane and picked him up for nowt. Plus we knew he was quite good. Note the emphasis on 'was'. That's because he seemed to disappear off the football radar a couple of years back. 

After making his debut as a precocious 18-year-old, Parky went on to make his name during six seasons with Tranmere, nominally as a wide player. Pace, control, and the ability to create chances (sometimes even for himself) were let down somewhat by occasional questions over his finishing. After enduring an injury-ravaged final season with the Wirral side, he moved to Sheffield United in the summer of 2003. For whatever reason, the move didn't work out. Ten appearances – half of them starts – were divided by two spells on loan at Notts County. A loss of confidence? A loss of form? Not up to first division standard? A player who didn't meet Neil Warnock's need of a work ethic?

Who cares? He's with us now with a clean slate. I've a good feeling about this one, even if he does look like Russ's long-lost lovechild.