Scott Parker

Scott Matthew Parker (born 13 October 1980) is an England Association footballer who currently plays for West Ham United F.C.. Scott Parker is a midfielder, who has represented England national football team at every level; from under-15 to senior, for whom Scott Parker has made one start and two substitute appearances. Scott Parker won Scott Parker three England caps while playing for three different clubs. Scott Parker is known as a tough tackling central midfielder who likes to get forward.

Background

Parker was born in Lambeth, Greater London, and attended Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College in New Cross Gate. As a child, Scott Parker supported Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and as a 13 year old, Scott Parker appeared in a well-known British advert for McDonald's, in which Scott Parker played keepie uppie during their 1994 FIFA World Cup campaign. Parker is a graduate of the the Football Association now-defunct national School of Excellence at Lilleshall Hall. for two months to give the England under-21 some first team experience. On Scott Parker return to The Valley (stadium) Parker was immediately called into the first team to replace injured captain Mark Kinsella. Parker played so well for Charlton that, upon Scott Parker return from injury, Kinsella could not regain Scott Parker place in the starting lineup. Parker soon became the linchpin of Charlton's midfield, combining tenacious tackling with an ability to carry the ball quickly from defence to attack and play telling passes, creating many chances for Scott Parker teammates. There was talk that the Addicks would mount a serious challenge for UEFA Champions League qualification. Scott Parker played 145 times for Charlton, scoring ten goals. after a protracted and acrimonious transfer saga. Alan Curbishley, the Charlton manager, criticised Scott Parker attitude following news of Chelsea's interest, accusing Scott Parker of bad behaviour and saying that "...his conduct in training has not been what it should have been." Parker was initially signed as cover for Claude Makélélé and Frank Lampard, but did not get too many chances to play in Scott Parker preferred position. Scott Parker scored Scott Parker only goal for Chelsea against Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Within just two months of signing for Chelsea, Scott Parker made another substitute appearance for England on 31 March 2004, this time against Sweden national football team. At the end of the 2003-04 in English football season Parker was named as the PFA Young Player of the Year.

Following the summer signings of Arjen Robben, and Tiago Mendes, Parker's first team opportunities were extremely limited during the 2004-05 in English football. Scott Parker problems were compounded when Scott Parker broke a metatarsal bone in a game against Scott Parker former club, Norwich City. This injury, coupled with the signing of Jiří Jarošík, served to add to the rumours that Scott Parker would be sold by José Mourinho in the summer.

Newcastle United

Parker was sold the following summer, moving to Newcastle United in July 2005 for a fee of £6.5 million. Parker became a regular in the Newcastle first team and was one of the few players at the club to show any consistency during an often difficult season in which Newcastle finished in 7th place, despite having a very poor start under Graeme Souness. In March 2006 Scott Parker was diagnosed with glandular fever, putting an end to Scott Parker season.. The timing was especially unfortunate for Parker, who had been playing well for Newcastle, as it ended any hopes Scott Parker may have had of forcing Scott Parker way into the England squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

In July 2006, Scott Parker was named Newcastle United's new captain by manager Glenn Roeder. Scott Parker first goal as captain came against Wigan Athletic in August 2006. Parker scored Scott Parker second goal of the season against Fulham F.C. in September 2006, but after Scott Parker was substituted Newcastle conceded 2 goals and subsequently lost the game. Despite Newcastle's poor form, Scott Parker performances earned Scott Parker a recall to the England national football team squad in September after an absence of more than two years. In November, Parker scored a goal in the 116th minute against Watford F.C. in the Football League Cup and then scored in the penalty shoot-out to allow Newcastle to progress in the competition. Scott Parker scored Scott Parker fourth goal of the 2006-07 in English football season against Tottenham in December 2006.
Scott Parker was found to be the second best player in the country for December 2006 by Sky Sports and Opta Index. Scott Parker scored in the 3–1 win against Tottenham Hotspur F.C. in December 2006, led Newcastle on their way to Intertoto Cup victory and was presented with the UEFA Intertoto Cup plaque in March 2007 before the UEFA Cup first leg tie with AZ Alkmaar, which Newcastle won 4-2.

West Ham United

In June 2007, West Ham United F.C. signed Scott Parker for £7 million. Due to injury, Scott Parker did not make Scott Parker first team debut until 26 September, 2007 in the 1-0 League Cup victory against Plymouth Argyle F.C.. Scott Parker full Premier League debut came on 29 September, 2007 in the 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal F.C., a game which saw Parker sustaining yet another injury and being substituted by Hayden Mullins at half-time. Parker scored Scott Parker first goal for West Ham in the 2-1 win at Middlesbrough F.C. on 22 December 2007; The match winner in the 90th minute.

On 24 May 2009, Parker was voted Hammer of the Year, by the club's supporters, for the 2008/2009 season.

International career

Scott Parker has represented England at every level from Under-15 to the senior team.

Parker's international debut for the senior England team came on 16 November 2003 when Scott Parker came on in the 66th minute as a substitute replacing Wayne Rooney in a 3-2 defeat against Denmark.

Parker's form earned Scott Parker a place in the starting line-up for England's European Championships qualifier away to Croatia national football team. Parker was restricted to tracking back and covering due to the attacking players in the team like Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. England boss Steve McClaren specially told Parker to chase the wingers and assist the two wing backs, Gary Neville and Ashley Cole.

If Parker gains another England cap while at West Ham, Scott Parker will become the first player to receive Scott Parker first four full caps whilst playing for four different teams.