112 Derrick Parker

Position : Forward

Played : 1987-88

Appearances : 7

Goals : 1

With Derek Parlane struggling the similarly-named Derrick was brought in in September having been playing for Finnish side Haka Valkeakoski.

Derrick was 30, an experienced striker who'd started his career at Burnley before moving to Southend in 1976. He scored 19 goals in 1977-78 to help them win promotion from the Fourth Division. In 1980 he moved up a Division with Barnsley where he is well-remembered before moving to Oldham for £40,000 in 1983. He spent two seasons at Boundary Park but ended his spell there on loan at Doncaster. He re-joined Burnley in 1976 scoring 10 goals in 43 appearances.

Derrick made a good start scoring on his debut in the League Cup at Wimbledon but looked uncomfortable in a three man attack with Parlane and Lyndon Simmonds (who seemed hostile towards him). I seem to recall his one League goal was a fluke , a flick-on header that looped over the keeper but can't remember the opposition. I thought we could have got a bit more out of him but he was released after 7 games.

He went on to play for a number of non-league clubs into the early 90s including Northwich and Altrincham. He is now sales manager for Carlton Brick Company in Grimethorpe and a match summariser for Radio Sheffield.