Lindsay Parsons

Lindsay William Parsons (20 March 1946 – 12 April 2019[1]) was an English professional footballer who played in The Football League for Bristol Rovers and Torquay United.

Lindsay Parsons
Personal information
Full name Lindsay William Parsons
Date of birth (1946-03-20)20 March 1946
Place of birth Bristol, England
Date of death 12 April 2019(2019-04-12) (aged 73)
Position(s) Full back
Youth career
South Gloucester Boys
1960–1961 New Cheltenham
1961–1964 Bristol Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1964–1977 Bristol Rovers 360 (0)
1977–1980 Torquay United 56 (0)
1979–1982 Taunton Town
1982–1983 Gloucester City
1983–1984 Forest Green Rovers
1984–1985 Yate Town
1985–1989 Hanham Athletic
1989–1990 Frome Town
Total 416 (0)
Teams managed
1992–1993 Cheltenham Town
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Parsons is from the Barton Hill area of Bristol and played football as a schoolboy for South Gloucester Boys Club and New Cheltenham before signing as an apprentice with Bristol Rovers in 1961 at the age of 15. He signed his first professional contract with Rovers on his eighteenth birthday and made his League debut shortly afterwards. He stayed with Bristol Rovers until 1977, fifteen years after he originally joined them, and made a total of 358 League appearances without scoring any goals. His only other Football League team was Torquay United, for whom he played between 1977 and 1980, and from there he went on to play for a number of non-League teams in the West CountryTaunton Town, Gloucester City, Forest Green Rovers, Yate Town, Hanham Athletic and Frome Town, finally retiring in 1990 at the age of 44.[2]

Non-playing career

Parsons took his first coaching job while still playing non-League football, coaching Bristol Rovers' schoolboy teams between 1983 and 1988. He later gained employment as a coach at Cheltenham Town in 1990, and after Ally Robertson vacated the manager's position in 1992 Parsons was appointed to the position in a caretaker's capacity, and was later given the job permanently.

He later forged a strong working relationship with his former Bristol Rovers teammate Tony Pulis, working with him in various coaching and scouting capacities at Gillingham, Bristol City, Portsmouth, Stoke City, Plymouth Argyle, and at Stoke City again from 2007.[3] In April 2013 Parsons conducted an interview in which he criticised manager Tony Pulis' style of play and stated that a number of players he recommended to Pulis went on to join other Premier League club's.[4] Pulis then stated he has no problems with Parsons views.[5] However, on 3 May 2013 Parsons was fired by Stoke for a "breach of contract".[6]

Career statistics

Source:[7]

Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bristol Rovers 1963–64 Third Division 1000000010
1964–65 Third Division 3000000030
1965–66 Third Division 9000000090
1966–67 Third Division 170300000200
1967–68 Third Division 210001000220
1968–69 Third Division 340601000410
1969–70 Third Division 170201000200
1970–71 Third Division 430306000520
1971–72 Third Division 460306000550
1972–73 Third Division 46010603[lower-alpha 1]0560
1973–74 Third Division 42030102[lower-alpha 1]0480
1974–75 Second Division 280203000330
1975–76 Second Division 270202000310
1976–77 Second Division 260301000300
Total 3600280280504210
Torquay United 1977–78 Fourth Division 430102000460
1978–79 Fourth Division 130202000300
Total 560304000760
Career total 4160310320504840
  1. Appearances in Watney Cup

References

  1. "A Tribute to Lindsay Parsons". Bristol Rovers Former Players Association. 12 April 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  2. Jay, Mike; Byrne, Stephen (1994). Pirates in Profile: A Who's Who of Bristol Rovers Players. Bristol: Potten, Baber & Murray. pp. 192–193. ISBN 0-9524835-0-5.
  3. "Tony Pulis: Parsons rejoins Pulis". This Is Staffordshire. The Sentinel. 1 March 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  4. "Stoke City: Chief scout Lindsay Parsons says he doesn't like Potters' style of play". The Sentinel. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  5. "Tony Pulis: There's no issue with Lindsay Parsons' views on Stoke City's style". The Sentinel. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  6. "Stoke City let go of chief scout Lindsay Parsons for breach of contract following interview criticising manager Tony Pulis". The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  7. Lindsay Parsons at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  • Lindsay Parsons at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database
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