Played for Newcastle: 2005-2007 Position: Centre Midfielder League Appearances: 55 League goals: 4 Scott Parker succeeded Alan Shearer as Newcastle United captain after an impressive first season at the club under Graeme Souness. The Magpies finished seventh in the league and Parker established himself as one of the most consistent performers, playing 32 games before being diagnosed with glandular fever which ended his season early. Known throughout his career as a midfield work-horse, Parker was a constant presence in the middle of the field and his work-rate was unrivalled by any of the other Newcastle players during that time. Despite the Magpies' poor form, his performances earned him a recall to the England squad in September after an absence of more than two years. The 34-year-old was found to be the second best player in the country for December 2006 by Sky Sports and Opta Index. Fans quickly turned on the former Chelsea player as his performances started to fade and he returned to London at the end of the 2006-07 season, signing for West Ham for £7 million. He had all the credentials to be a Geordie hero but for some reason it wasn't meant to be...
NCTJ-accredited football writer with an MA in Sports Journalism. What Culture football editor. Write for the official Newcastle United programme. Former video reporter at North News. Featured and published in the Sunderland Echo, Shields Gazette, Mail Online, The Mirror, The Sun and others.
