Bernard Parker
Parker with FC Twente in 2009
Personal information
Full name Bernard Melvin Parker[1]
Date of birth (1986-03-16) 16 March 1986
Place of birth Boksburg, South Africa
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[2]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
forward
Team information
Current team
 TS Galaxy
Number 17
Youth career
Transnet School of Excellence[3]
Mamelodi Sundowns
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2009 Thanda Royal Zulu 116 (29)
2009 → Red Star Belgrade 16 (6)
2009–2011 FC Twente 17 (0)
2011 → Panserraikos (loan) 12 (1)
2011–2022 Kaizer Chiefs 283 (49)
2022– TS Galaxy 33 (3)
International career‡
2006–2008 South Africa U-23 22 (12)
2007–2015 South Africa 73 (23)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 6 January 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18 March 2020

Bernard Parker (born 16 March 1986) is a South African professional association footballer who plays as a midfielder or forward for Premier Soccer League club TS Galaxy. Between 2007 and 2015 he made 73 appearances for the South Africa national team scoring 23 goals.

Parker started his professional football career playing for Thanda Royal Zulu in the Premier Soccer League, where he made 70 appearances before a one-year loan to Serbian side Red Star Belgrade. He joined Eredivisie side FC Twente in 2009, where he spent a season and a half before being loaned out to Panserraikos in the Greek Super League. During his time in the Eredivisie, Parker won the 2009-10 Eredivisie and the 2010 Johan Cruyff Shield.

He moved to Kaizer Chiefs in 2011. He was awarded the 2013–14 Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot and won two league titles, the Nedbank Cup and the MTN 8 with the South African club. Parker was released by Kaizer Chiefs in June 2022 after spending over a decade at the club, making over 350 appearances and scoring over 60 goals.

Early life

Parker was born and grew up in Reiger Park, a township next to Boksburg, Gauteng. He was quite good in a variety of sports and excelled in short and long-distance running as well as achieving Eastern Gauteng colours in swimming.

Club career

A product of the School of Excellence, Parker made his debut in the professional ranks for Cape Town's Hellenic FC, later bought and renamed Benoni Premier United. After the club was once again renamed and moved to Durban he remained with Thanda Royal Zulu F.C. until early 2009 when he obtained a transfer to European Cup Winners Red Star in Serbia. His stay in Belgrade was cut short after reports that the club had cash flow problems and owed its players' salaries.[4]

Parker signed with FC Twente in July 2009 and was a member of the team that won the Dutch 2009–10 Eredivisie. After Twente manager Steve McClaren's move to Bundesliga, Parker failed to convince new coach Michel Preud'homme of his qualities and thus spent the first half of the 2010–11 Dutch season mostly on the bench. He joined Leicester City on trial in December 2010 with a view to a permanent move away from the Dutch club. On 18 January 2011, he moved to Panserraikos F.C. on loan, to secure extra game time and returned to FC Twente after the end of the 2010–11 season.

After receiving interest from Swedish clubs Malmö FF and Helsingborgs IF as well as South Africa's Kaizer Chiefs, Parker chose the latter ahead of the other clubs.[5] In the 2012–13 season, Parker scored 12 league goals in 28 matches and finished as runner up to Katlego Mashego who had 13 and helped Chiefs to a league and cup double.[6] The following season, he won the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot with 10 goals.[7]

After Parker spent over a decade at Kaizer Chiefs, the club decided not to renew his contract that was to expire on 30 June 2022.[8] He scored over 60 goals in 350 appearances there.[9]

In August 2022 Parker joined TS Galaxy on a two-year contract.[10]

On 18 October 2023, Parker suffered a broken leg from a "nightmare challenge" by Mamelodi Sundowns player Bongani Zungu during a Round Of 16 match in the 2023 Carling Knockout Cup between TS Galaxy and Mamelodi Sundowns at Mbombela Stadium.[11]

International career

Bernard Parker had his national team debut against Malawi in 2007, scoring his first goal in 2008 against the same team. On 17 June 2009, he scored both goals in a 2–0 win over New Zealand in the 2009 Confederations Cup,[12] and also received the Man of the Match award.[13] He played in 2010 FIFA World Cup representing South Africa but the team was eliminated after group stage. He also played in 2013 African Cup of Nations hosted in South Africa.

On 16 June 2013, Parker scored an own goal in a 2–1 defeat to Ethiopia which ended South Africa's chances of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. Earlier in the match he had given South Africa a 1–0 lead.[14] Parker also scored by chipping the ball over Víctor Valdés in the 56th minute in a 1–0 shock win over the then-world and European champions Spain at Soccer City, where it won the World Cup in 2010.[15] Parker won the top goalscorer award at the 2014 African Nations Championship with four goals from three group matches.[16]

Personal life

Parker married Wendy Cherry in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, on 16 June 2012 at a ceremony attended by 170 guests.[17]

Career statistics

Club

As of 6 January 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Thanda Royal Zulu 2006–07 Premier Soccer League 285285
2007–08 285285
2008–09 1410001410
Total 70207020
Red Star Belgrade (loan) 2008–09 Serbian Superliga 16600–00166
FC Twente 2009–10[18] Eredivisie 14052–60–252
2010–11[18] 3031–001[lower-alpha 1]071
Total 17083006010323
Panserraikos (loan) 2010–11[19] Superleague Greece 121–00121
Kaizer Chiefs 2011–12[19] Premier Soccer League 28310004[lower-alpha 2]1334
2012–13[19] 281251111[lower-alpha 2]03514
2013–14[19] 271030303[lower-alpha 2]13611
2014–15[19] South African Premier Division 24700211[lower-alpha 2]0278
2015–16[19] 26210304[lower-alpha 2]2344
2016–17[19] 24520101[lower-alpha 2]0285
2017–18[19] 24441311[lower-alpha 2]0326
2018–19[19] 26251303[lower-alpha 2]0373
2019–20[19] 270203000320
2020–21[19] 25010001313[lower-alpha 2]0421
2021–22[19] 2441000001[lower-alpha 2]1265
Total 2834925319313122536261
Galaxy 2022-23 South African Premier Division 25300000000253
2023-24 801000000090
Career total 4317934619319123552694

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[2]
National teamYearAppsGoals
South Africa 200750
200874
2009143
2010103
201170
201252
2013177
201444
201540
Total7323
Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Parker goal.
List of international goals scored by Bernard Parker[2]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 30 September 2008Driehoek Stadium, Germiston, South Africa Malawi1–03–0Friendly
2 2–0
3 15 October 2008Seisa Ramabodu Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa Ghana2–12–1Friendly
4 19 November 2008Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Phokeng, South Africa Cameroon3–23–2Friendly
5 28 March 2009Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Phokeng, South Africa Norway1–02–1Friendly
6 17 June 2009Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Phokeng, South Africa New Zealand1–02–02009 FIFA Confederations Cup
7 2–0
8 16 May 2010Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, South Africa Thailand4–04–0Friendly
9 31 May 2010Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, South Africa Guatemala5–05–0Friendly
10 4 September 2010Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, South Africa Niger2–02–02012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
11 11 September 2012Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, South Africa Mozambique1–02–0Friendly
12 2–0
13 23 March 2013Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa Central African Republic2–02–02014 FIFA World Cup qualification
14 8 June 2013Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaoundé, Cameroon Central African Republic1–03–02014 FIFA World Cup qualification
15 16 June 2013Addis Ababa Stadium, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Ethiopia1–21–22014 FIFA World Cup qualification
16 7 September 2013Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa Botswana3–14–12014 FIFA World Cup qualification
17 4–1
18 10 September 2013Orlando Stadium, Soweto, South Africa Zimbabwe1–21–2Friendly
19 19 November 2013Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa Spain1–01–0Friendly
20 11 January 2014Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa Mozambique1–03–12014 African Nations Championship
21 3–1
22 15 January 2014Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa Mali1–01–12014 African Nations Championship
23 19 January 2014Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa Nigeria1–31–32014 African Nations Championship

Honours

FC Twente

Kaizer Chiefs

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 4 June 2010. p. 28. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 June 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 Bernard Parker at National-Football-Teams.com
  3. ↑ "facelift for stars' school". The Sowetan. 10 February 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  4. ↑ www.realnet.co.uk. "Red Star crisis grows". Kick Off. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  5. ↑ www.realnet.co.uk. "Bobby Motaung says new signing Bernard Parker is not Knowledge Musona's replacement". Kick Off. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  6. ↑ www.realnet.co.uk. "Bernard Parker - Array - kickoff.com". www.kickoff.com. Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  7. ↑ www.realnet.co.uk. "PSL Golden Boot, or bronze boot?". Kick Off. Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  8. ↑ Mphahlele, Mahlatse (3 June 2022). "End of an era as Bernard Parker leaves Chiefs". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  9. ↑ Vardien, Tashreeq (3 June 2022). "Bernard Parker parts ways with Kaizer Chiefs after 11 years". news24.com. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  10. ↑ Madyira, Michael (13 August 2022). "Parker: Ex-Kaizer Chiefs star signs for TS Galaxy". goal.com. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  11. ↑ Strydom, Marc (18 October 2023). "Galaxy dump Sundowns out of cup in game where Zungu breaks Parker's leg". Times Live. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  12. ↑ "South Africa 2–0 New Zealand". BBC Sport. 17 June 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  13. ↑ "Bernard Parker, from zero to hero". FIFA.com. 18 June 2009. Archived from the original on 20 June 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2009.
  14. ↑ "Bafana say goodbye to Brazil". kickoff.com. 16 June 2013. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  15. ↑ "Bernard Parker scores as South Africa shocks Spain in friendly". SI.com. Associated Press. 19 November 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  16. ↑ "Parker Wins CHAN Goalscorer Award". Soccer Laduma. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  17. ↑ "Bernard Parker weds". Drum. 22 June 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  18. 1 2 "Bernard Parker » Club matches". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Bernard Parker at Soccerway
  20. ↑ "Parker Wins CHAN Goalscorer Award". Soccer Laduma. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
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