Derek Parkin (born 2 January 1948) is an English former football player who made a record number of appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers (609). He also played for Huddersfield Town and Stoke City as well as the England under-23 national side
Career Parkin made his Football League debut on 7 November 1964 for Huddersfield Town against Bury, aged 16. In February 1968, he became at the time the most expensive full-back in Britain when he joined First Division side Wolves for £80,000. He made his club debut on 24 February 1968 against his hometown side Newcastle United.
Over 14 years at Molineux, Parkin made a record number of senior appearances – 609, including 501 league games, also a club record. He played 50 or more competitive matches in a season for Wolves no fewer than five times – another record – and in seasons 1968–69 and 1969–70, he took part in every single league and cup match played by the club. His long service saw him receive a testimonial match in 1979 and become one of the initial inductees into the club's Hall of Fame. He appeared in two Wembley Cup finals, collecting a winner's medal each time as Wolves won the League Cup in both 1974 and 1980, and also earned a Second Division championship medal in 1976–77.
Parkin ended his 15-season spell at Wolves by joining Stoke City on a free transfer in March 1982. He played ten matches for Stoke in 1981–82 and the played in 35 matches in 1982–83 before retiring from playing football. After his footballing career ended in May 1983, he moved into landscape gardening. He has also been involved in charity work in Wolverhampton.
International career The full-back made five appearances for the England U23 side between 1969 and 1971. He was called up to the full team in 1971 for a European Championship qualifier in Malta, but did not appear in the match.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsHuddersfield Town 1964–65Second Division10000000101965–66Second Division3311000003411966–67Second Division270107000350Total611207000701Wolverhampton Wanderers1967–68First Division1510000001511968–69First Division4202030004701969–70First Division4211030405011970–71First Division3902010714911971–72First Division3222011704231972–73First Division1804000102301973–74First Division3902060405101974–75First Division4121010204521975–76First Division3006030003901976–77Second Division4205011004801977–78First Division3803010004201978–79First Division4207010005001979–80First Division40030110005401980–81First Division2007110203011981–82First Division210102000240Total501646135227160910Stoke City 1981–82First Division1000000001001982–83First Division300302000350Total400302000450Career total602751144227172411
A. The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Anglo-Italian Cup, Texaco Cup, UEFA Cup and Watney Cup.
Honours Wolverhampton Wanderers Football League Second Division: 1976–77 Football League Cup: 1973–74, 1979–80 Texaco Cup: 1970–71
References