Ben Parker (footballer)

Football player infobox
playername = Ben Parker
fullname = Ben Brian C. Parker
height = height|m=1.80
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1987|11|15|df=y
cityofbirth = Pontefract
countryofbirth = England
currentclub = Leeds United
clubnumber = 19
position = Defender
years = 2005–
2006–2007
2008
clubs = Leeds United
→ Bradford City (loan)
→ Darlington (loan)
caps(goals) = 10 (0)
39 (0)
13 (0)
pcupdate = 12:46, 4 October 2008 (UTC)

Ben Brian C. Parker (born 15 November 1987 in Pontefract, England) is a young English footballer who plays for Leeds United. He is a defender in the left back position though can also play at centre-back or in midfield, who has had loan spells with Bradford City and Darlington.

Career

Parker started his career with Leeds United, but made his full debut during the 2006–07 season while on loan at local rivals Bradford City. On 5 October 2006 Leeds caretaker manager John Carver said that if Parker's appearances were being limited at Bradford then the club would rather he came back to Leeds and fought for a first team place there than sitting on the bench at Valley Parade. [cite news |url=http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=420295&CPID=10&clid=2&lid=&title=Carver+may+recall+Parker |title=Carver may recall Parker |accessdate=2006-10-06 |publisher=Sky Sports |date=2006-10-05]

Parker's loan spell was extended in late December 2006, indicating new Leeds manager Dennis Wise wanted him to gain as much experience as possible before plunging him into the new look Leeds side.

On 18 May 2007, life long Leeds fan, Parker was offered a new contract by Leeds United. [cite news |url=http://www.leedsunited.com/page/NewsroomDetail/0,,10273~1027179,00.html |title=New Deals |accessdate=2007-05-18 |publisher=LeedsUnited.com |date=2007-05-18] This contract was signed on August 7, once the club's transfer embargo had been lifted. Parker made his full debut for Leeds in the 1–0 win against Macclesfield Town in the Carling Cup on 14 August 2007. Four days later, Parker made his league and home debut as a substitute in the 4–1 win against Southend United.

Having made 15 appearances for Leeds during the 2007–08 season, he was transferred to Darlington on a month's loan deal in February 2008. [cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/7268750.stm
title=Leeds loan for Villa's O'Halloran
date=2008-02-28
accessdate=2008-02-28
publisher=BBC Sport] He made his Darlington debut on 1 March 2008 in a 3–1 victory against Brentford. [cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7260393.stm
title=Darlington 3-1 Brentford
date=2008-03-01
accessdate=2008-03-01
publisher=BBC Sport] Parker played seven games for Darlington during March, before extending his loan spell until the end of the season on 27 March 2008, [cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/darlington/7316620.stm
title=Quakers seal deals for loan trio
date=2008-03-27
accessdate=2008-03-27
publisher=BBC Sport] two days before he played against former side Bradford City, which Darlington lost 3–1. [cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7309357.stm
title=Darlington 1-3 Bradford
date=2008-03-29
accessdate=2008-03-29
publisher=BBC Sport] On 26 April 2008, he was sent off as Darlington went from leading 2–0 to losing 3–2 to Dagenham & Redbridge. [cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7356099.stm
title=Darlington 2-3 Dag & Red
date=2008-04-26
accessdate=2008-04-28
publisher=BBC Sport] He missed the final game of the season against Peterborough United but returned for Darlington's play-off games.

References

External links

*soccerbase|id=44272|name=Ben Parker