George Parris
Encyclopedia
George Michael R. Parris (born 11 September 1964) is an English
former professional footballer.
, Greater London
. He played district, county and national football for Redbridge
, Greater London
and England Under 15 as a schoolboy. He was invited to train at West Ham United
when he was 13 and signed as an apprentice in July 1981 when he left school.
football followed before he made his First Division
debut in the final match of the 1984–85 season at home against Liverpool
in May 1985. He made a handful of appearances in the first half of the 1985–86 season, then replaced the injured Steve Walford
at left-back and impressed as the West Ham won 11 of their last 14 games to finish third in the table. Parris made 48 league and cup games appearances in the 1986–87 season. The arrival of left-back Tommy McQueen
in March 1987 saw Parris move briefly to midfield but he returned to the left-back position for much of the 1987–88 season until the arrival of Julian Dicks
in March 1988, whose form led to Parris playing at right-back or midfield for most of the rest of his career at West Ham.
He made 32 league and cup appearance in the 1988–89 season as West Ham reached the semi-finals of the League Cup
but were relegated to Division Two
, and 49 league and cup appearances in the 1989–90 season as West Ham again reached the semi-finals of the League Cup. He made 55 league and cup appearances in the 1990–91 season, returning to left-back when Julian Dicks suffered a severe knee injury in October 1990, scoring in four successive games in January 1991 and helping West Ham to promotion back to the First Division and to the semi-finals of the FA Cup
. His performances that season saw him voted as runner-up to Ludek Miklosko
as 'Hammer of the Year'. Parris made only 27 league and cup appearances in the 1991–92 season; he suffered a knee injury against Aston Villa
on Boxing Day that required surgery, and then collapsed during his comeback game against Arsenal
in March 1992 with a suspected heart-related problem. He returned to the first team in the opening game of the 1992–93 season against Barnsley
and made 18 league and cup appearances before Birmingham City
made an offer for him in March 1993. Parris had made 300 first-team appearances for West Ham, scoring 20 goals.
, Bristol City
and Brighton & Hove Albion
before being released. Parris had made 42 league and cup appearances for Birmingham City.
in Sweden, Parris signed a permanent deal with Brighton in September 1995 and stayed for two seasons. He was made captain and made 63 first-team appearances before being released on a free transfer in May 1997. He was best remembered for an impudent goal against Bristol Rovers
in October 1995 when he came from behind the Rovers goalkeeper as he released the ball to dispossess him and score.
and also played for non-league clubs Kettering Town
, St Leonards
, where he was also assistant manager, and Shoreham
, where he was player-manager. After retiring from playing, he worked as a part-time activities organiser at the Ovingdean Hall
school for deaf children in Sussex, and went on to work as a sports coach at the University of Sussex
. In April 2008 he was appointed manager of Sussex County League club Whitehawk
. Parris also operates a soccer coaching school, The George Parris Soccer School, based in Brighton.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former professional footballer.
Background
Parris was born in BarkingBarking
Barking is a suburban town in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, in East London, England. A retail and commercial centre situated in the west of the borough, it lies east of Charing Cross. Barking was in the historic county of Essex until it was absorbed by Greater London. The area is...
, Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
. He played district, county and national football for Redbridge
London Borough of Redbridge
The London Borough of Redbridge is a London borough in outer north-east London. Its administrative headquarters is at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford. The local authority is Redbridge London Borough Council.-Etymology:...
, Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
and England Under 15 as a schoolboy. He was invited to train at West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
when he was 13 and signed as an apprentice in July 1981 when he left school.
West Ham United
Parris turned professional the following year in September 1982. A lengthy spell of reserve teamReserve team
Large professional sports clubs often have far more players under contract than could possibly play in a match. As a result, many of these clubs create second teams composed of players who need playing time, but have little hope of playing on the first team. The players on this second team are...
football followed before he made his First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
debut in the final match of the 1984–85 season at home against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
in May 1985. He made a handful of appearances in the first half of the 1985–86 season, then replaced the injured Steve Walford
Steve Walford
Stephen James "Steve" Walford is an English former footballer turned manager. He is currently first team coach at Aston Villa, the position he took up when Martin O'Neill became manager at the club.-Biography:...
at left-back and impressed as the West Ham won 11 of their last 14 games to finish third in the table. Parris made 48 league and cup games appearances in the 1986–87 season. The arrival of left-back Tommy McQueen
Tommy McQueen
Tommy McQueen , is a former Scottish football defender. His primary position was full back.McQueen began his career with Clyde, making over 100 appearances in all competitions, before moving to Aberdeen in 1984, where he made 53 appearances, scored four goals and was part of the 1986 Scottish Cup...
in March 1987 saw Parris move briefly to midfield but he returned to the left-back position for much of the 1987–88 season until the arrival of Julian Dicks
Julian Dicks
Julian Andrew Dicks , is a retired football player and manager, last attached to Isthmian League Division One North club Grays Athletic.-Playing career:...
in March 1988, whose form led to Parris playing at right-back or midfield for most of the rest of his career at West Ham.
He made 32 league and cup appearance in the 1988–89 season as West Ham reached the semi-finals of the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
but were relegated to Division Two
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
, and 49 league and cup appearances in the 1989–90 season as West Ham again reached the semi-finals of the League Cup. He made 55 league and cup appearances in the 1990–91 season, returning to left-back when Julian Dicks suffered a severe knee injury in October 1990, scoring in four successive games in January 1991 and helping West Ham to promotion back to the First Division and to the semi-finals of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
. His performances that season saw him voted as runner-up to Ludek Miklosko
Ludek Mikloško
Luděk "Ludo" Mikloško is a Czech retired football goalkeeper.-Career:Mikloško started his career in his native Czechoslovakia with Baník Ostrava...
as 'Hammer of the Year'. Parris made only 27 league and cup appearances in the 1991–92 season; he suffered a knee injury against Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
on Boxing Day that required surgery, and then collapsed during his comeback game against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in March 1992 with a suspected heart-related problem. He returned to the first team in the opening game of the 1992–93 season against Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
and made 18 league and cup appearances before Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
made an offer for him in March 1993. Parris had made 300 first-team appearances for West Ham, scoring 20 goals.
Birmingham City
Parris joined Birmingham City in March 1993 for a fee of £100,000, where he was made captain. Injuries and a change of manager in November 1993 saw him fall out of favour and he spent the 1994–95 season on loan at BrentfordBrentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
, Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
and Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
before being released. Parris had made 42 league and cup appearances for Birmingham City.
Brighton and Hove Albion
After a trial with Stoke and a short spell with NorrköpingIFK Norrköping
IFK Norrköping is a Swedish football club based in Norrköping. The club, formed on 29 May 1897, is currently playing in the first division of Swedish football, Allsvenskan...
in Sweden, Parris signed a permanent deal with Brighton in September 1995 and stayed for two seasons. He was made captain and made 63 first-team appearances before being released on a free transfer in May 1997. He was best remembered for an impudent goal against Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
in October 1995 when he came from behind the Rovers goalkeeper as he released the ball to dispossess him and score.
Later career
After leaving Brighton, Parris played one league game on a non-contract basis for SouthendSouthend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
and also played for non-league clubs Kettering Town
Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
, St Leonards
St. Leonards F.C.
St. Leonards F.C. were a semi-professional English football club based in Hastings, East Sussex.-History:The club was founded as a works team in 1971 by employees from the Sussex Turnery And Moulding Company started playing friendlies, under the company name of STAMCO...
, where he was also assistant manager, and Shoreham
Shoreham F.C.
Shoreham F.C. is a football club based in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, England. They were established in 1892 and were founding members of the Sussex County League in 1920. They have reached the 3rd round of the FA Vase three times in their history. For the 2011-12 season, they are members of ...
, where he was player-manager. After retiring from playing, he worked as a part-time activities organiser at the Ovingdean Hall
Ovingdean
Ovingdean is a small formerly agricultural village which was absorbed into the borough of Brighton, East Sussex, UK, in 1928, and now forms part of the city of Brighton and Hove. It has expanded through the growth of residential streets on its eastern and southern sides, and now has a population of...
school for deaf children in Sussex, and went on to work as a sports coach at the University of Sussex
University of Sussex
The University of Sussex is an English public research university situated next to the East Sussex village of Falmer, within the city of Brighton and Hove. The University received its Royal Charter in August 1961....
. In April 2008 he was appointed manager of Sussex County League club Whitehawk
Whitehawk F.C.
Whitehawk F.C. is a football club based in Whitehawk, in Brighton, England.-History:Founded in 1945 as Whitehawk & Manor Farm Old Boys, the club joined the Sussex County League in 1952/53 and after finishing third in their inaugural season, were runners-up for three successive seasons from 1954/55,...
. Parris also operates a soccer coaching school, The George Parris Soccer School, based in Brighton.
External links
- George Parris at westhamstats.info