Andrew Parkinson (soccer)

Infobox Football biography


playername= Andy Parkinson
fullname = Andrew Parkinson
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1959|5|5
cityofbirth = Johannesburg
countryofbirth = South Africa
height = height|ft=6|in=0
currentclub = Retired
clubnumber =
position = Forward
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years =
1977-1979
1979-1980
1980
1981-1982
1983
1984-1985
1988
clubs = Highlands Park
Newcastle United
Peterborough United
Philadelphia Fury
Montreal Manic
Team America
New York Cosmos
Fort Lauderdale Strikers
caps(goals) =
03 0(0)
13 0(5)
24 0(3)
49 (19)
18 0(3)
18 0(3)
nationalyears = 1984
nationalteam = United States
nationalcaps(goals) = 02 0(0)
pcupdate =
ntupdate =

Andew Parkinson is a retired U.S.-South African soccer forward. Spent time playing in both South Africa and England before immigrating to the U.S. He then played five seasons in the North American Soccer League, at least one in Major Indoor Soccer League and one in the American Soccer League. Parkinson earned two caps with the U.S. national team in 1984.

Early career

Parkinson, a native of Johannesburg, South Africa played for Highlands Park, since renamed Jomo Cosmos, in his native South Africa. In March 1978, Parkinson moved to England where he tried out with English First Division (now Premier League) club Newcastle United. He failed to impress the team’s managers and returned to South Africa after appearing twice as a substitute. He came back to Newcastle for the 1978-1979 season but made only one appearance, again as a sub. He then moved to lower division club Peterborough United where he played 13 games, scoring 5 goals in the 1979-1980 season.

Move to U.S.

In 1980, Parkinson then moved to the United States where he signed with the Philadelphia Fury of the North American Soccer League (NASL). Once again, he played a single season before moving to the Montreal Manic for 1981 and 1982. During this time, Parkinson received his U.S. citizenship.

Team America

In 1983, the U.S. Soccer Federation, in coordination with the NASL, entered the U.S. national team, known as Team America, into the NASL as a league franchise. The team drew on U.S. citizens playing in the NASL, Major Indoor Soccer League and American Soccer League. Parkinson left the Manic with fellow team mate Hayden Knight and signed with Team America. When Team America finished the 1983 season with a 10-20 record, the worst in the NASL, USSF withdrew the team from the league.

National team

The next year, Parkinson earned his only two caps with the U.S. national team.

Later years

The New York Cosmos acquired Parkinson when Team America disbanded and he played for the Cosmos during the 1984 season. At the end of the season, the NASL collapsed and the Cosmos jumped to the Major Indoor Soccer League. In 1988, Parkinson played a single season with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the American Soccer League.

External links

* [http://www.toonarama.co.uk/seasons/1970s/1978-79/1978-79_squad.html Newcastle fan info on Parkinson]