BURNLEY and Middlesbrough fans have been urged to dig deep to help a legend.
The two clubs collide on Wednesday in a Championship showdown that could have huge ramifications come May.
Gary Parkinson achieved legendary status at both hometown club Middlesbrough and Burnley Credit: Colorsport
Gary Pallister and Tony Mowbray are amongst the stars getting together next week for ‘A Night For Parky’ Credit: Handout
However, one man who played a key role in promotions with BOTH the Clarets and Boro remains in need.
Gary Parkinson, one of just 13 players left at Boro when the club went into liquidation and were locked out of Ayresome Park following relegation to Division Three in 1986, achieved icon status at his hometown team under manager Bruce Rioch.
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Alongside the likes of fellow local lads such as Gary Pallister, Tony Mowbray, Colin Cooper and Stuart Ripley, he helped bring the club back from the brink and achieve back-to-back promotions into the top-flight.
The right-back spot was his own for seven seasons until he departed to reunite with Rioch at Bolton but a switch to Burnley 12 months later produced more magic.
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Parkinson scored the winner in the 1994 play-off final against Stockport County and eventually left with 135 league appearances before ending his playing days with David Moyes’ Preston and a fifth career promotion with Blackpool.
But life changed forever for Parkinson and his family when he suffered a devastating stroke in September 2010 while employed as head of youth at the Tangerines.
The 58-year-old has been battling locked-in syndrome ever since, leaving him unable to move or talk yet still completely aware of what is going on around him.
The disorder has left much-loved Teessider “Parky” with blinking being his only way of communicating, but even that failed to keep him from the beautiful game.
Boro legend Bernie Slaven pictured with Gary Parkinson at the 2023 fundraising night Credit: Handout
Parkinson helped Boro achieve back-to-back promotions after the club faced liquidation Credit: Colorsport
Mowbray, captain of Boro’s 1986 promotion-winning side, remains a regular visitor to Parkinson’s bedside and knew Parky still had an eye for a player.
Aided by wife Deborah or son Luke, Parkinson reviewed player footage and used a 1-to-4 blink count to deliver scouting feedback for his former skipper, now manager of Blackburn.
But with no known cure, Parkinson’s condition means he requires 24-hour care, which comes at a cost of around £90,000-a-year.
Fortunately, like Mowbray, his former team-mates have not forgotten him. And with ex-Boro forward Bernie Slaven leading the charge, Premier League winner Pallister, Mowbray and a host of others are reuniting next week at Middlesbrough Town Hall to help.
They will come together to raise much-needed funds to help Deborah and his three children continue to pay for the care their old pal still needs.
And even those attending the showdown between his two old clubs can also help with a donation towards their former hero’s GoFundMe.
Ex-Republic of Ireland international Slaven, who organised a similar event three years ago, said: “For years, Gary Parkinson gave everything he had for Middlesbrough football club. He wore the shirt with pride, fought for the badge and gave Boro fans memories that will never be forgotten.
“Now Parky needs those Boro fans to get behind him. The money we raise matters. It will help towards the ongoing care and support Gary needs. But the night next week is about more than fundraising. Parky was there for the Boro. Now Boro needs to be there for Parky.”
With both Nicky Hayen’s Burnley and Kim Hellberg’s Boro fancied to be in the promotion reckoning, Slaven has no doubts Parkinson will be watching with interest later.
But he called on Burnley fans to continue showing their love and support too via GoFundMe.
Slaven added: “Next week is a chance for Boro fans to come together and look after one of our own. He was just as much a hero at Burnley as he was at Boro too. I know times are hard, but every bit helps. It’s about showing Parky that he has not been forgotten.”
Tickets for “A Night for Parky” at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Thursday 10 September are available for £40 each and can be purchased by emailing seven.enterprises@hotmail.co.uk.
Any supporters wishing to make a donation towards Parkinson’s medical care costs can do so via www.gofundme.com/f/gary-parkinson.
