Parnell: Gresham Frederick (Fred)

1905-1908 (Leeds City Player Details)

Outside Right

Born: Sutton-in-Ashfield: 18-04-1886

Debut: v Bradford City (a): 02-09-1905

5’8” 11st 0lb (1908)

Parnell was a fast and elusive Outside Right, who occasionally played at Inside Right. He was easily recognisable by his distinctive large dapper moustache which he often waxed. He started with Skegby United, who had been the Champions of the Mansfield and District League in the 1901-02 season and were also the Finalists of the Notts Junior Cup in 1902-03. He joined nearby Skegby in 1901, when just fifteen and moved on to Pinxton, another local Junior side in 1902 before joining First Division Derby County, for whom he made his Football League debut at Nottingham Forest in March 1904. A fringe player at Derby, he made nine appearances during his two seasons at The Baseball Ground before joining newly elected Leeds City in August 1905 making his debut at Outside Right in their inaugural Football League Second Division fixture at Bradford City on 2nd September of that year, as they went down 0-1 at Valley Parade. He quickly became a regular and one of City’s most outstanding players. He stayed at Elland Road for three seasons, making over one hundred appearances, before leaving to join Exeter City in 1908. His consistency was such that he scored fifteen goals in the League, in making one hundred one hundred and four appearances as well as four goals in seven F.A. Cup games. He was one of only ten players to pass the one hundred appearance for Leeds City in their relatively short short life in th Footbal League. He scored five League goal in thirty-seven appearances in 1905-06, adding three goals in six F.A. Cup appearances. Then in 1906-07 he scored four in the League from thirty-three appearances and did not play in the F.A. Cup that season. In his final season of 1907-08, he scored six from thirty-five League Appearances and one goal in one appearance in the F.A. Cup. There was a change of Managers at Leeds with Gilbert Gillies being sacked and Frank Scott-Walford coming in and bringing many former Brighton players his former club, then in the Second Division of the Southern League, with him. Parnell opted for Exeter City, where he became an instant hit. when he scored twice on his Southern League debut for them in a 3-3 draw with Bristol Rovers. He also teamed up with his friend Bob Watson, who had also left Leeds City for the same reason. He joined First Division Preston North End in May 1909, scoring once in fifteen appearances before returning to Exeter City in May 1910. He finished his career in Non-League football with first Sutton Junction in 1912 and then Mansfield Town in November 1913.