Stuart Parnaby

Middlesbrough

Parnaby, a native of Durham, County Durham, joined Middlesbrough's Academy when he was 10 and began his senior career for Middlesbrough in September 2000 in a League Cup match against Macclesfield Town. The next month, he was loaned to Halifax Town, during which time he played six games and won Division Three's Player of the Month award before returning to his parent club in December 2000.

Parnaby did not feature in the 2001–02 season, due to long-lasting injuries. Nevertheless, Parnaby signed a contract with the club, keeping him until 2004. After recovering from his long-lasting injuries, Parnaby felt he could make his return in the first team.

The 2002–03 season saw Parnaby sidelined until he made his Middlesbrough debut on 26 October 2002, in a 2-2 draw against Leeds United. Following his debut against Leeds United, Parnaby had a run in the first team before a tear on his hamstring kept him sidelined for weeks. Despite this return, Parnaby went on to make twenty-one appearance for the club. As a result, Parnaby was awarded Supporters Club Young Player of the Year. Parnaby was also awarded with a new contract with the club, keeping him until 2007.

In the 2003–04 season, Parnaby was featured for the first four matches. However, during the season, he found himself struggling to feature in the team after a four-month layoff for a knee injury. After making a return in the reserve match, Parnaby made his return to the first team, coming on as a substitute for Franck Queudrue, in a 1-0 loss against Manchester United on 28 December 2003. However, Parnaby's injuries continued towards the end of the 2003–04 season, as well as, the arrival of Danny Mills. Despite this, Parnaby made thirteen appearances for the club. Parnaby was part of Middlesbrough's 2004 League Cup-winning team. Despite not making the squad for the final he appeared in the earlier rounds. It was Parnaby's shot in the semifinal second leg against Arsenal which was deflected in by José Antonio Reyes to seal the win for Boro.

The following 2004–05 season, he played in over half Middlesbrough's Premier League matches until it was disrupted when he broken his leg in a freak training ground accident and could miss the reminder of the 2004–05 season. Unexpectedly, Parnaby made his return in the club's reserve match in mid-January and made his first team return on 5 February 2005, in a 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers. After his return, Parnaby expressed his happiness to make his first team return. After getting playing time for seven matches, Parnaby suffered an injury that kept him out for a week before making his return, coming on as a substitute, in a 1-1 draw against Liverpool on 29 April 2005.

In the 2005–06 season, Parnaby suffered a knee injury that resulted him miss the start of the season. After making his return in the club's reserve, Parnaby made his first team return on 2 October 2005, coming on as a substitute, in a 3-2 win over Aston Villa. On 29 October 2005, during a match against Manchester United, Parnaby then won a penalty, which Yakubu successfully converted the penalty, in a 4-1 win. His return was later short-lived when he suffered a minor knocks during League Cup match against Crystal Palace. After three weeks out, Parnaby made his first team return, in a 2-0 loss against Blackburn Rovers. Parnaby scored his first Middlesbrough goal, in the fourth round of the FA Cup, in a 5-2 win over Nuneaton Town on 17 January 2006. A few weeks later, on 30 January 2006, Parnadby scored his first Premier League goal, in a 3-0 win over Sunderland. Then on 16 February 2006, Parnaby scored his first European goal in the first leg of last 16 of UEFA Cup, in a 2-1 win over Stuttgart. However, Parnaby suffered a hamstring injury during a match against Birmingham City and was sidelined for three or weeks. Parnaby made his return to the first team on 26 March 2006 against Bolton Wanderers and scored in a 4-3 win. He played a full part in their progress to the semi-final of the FA Cup and the final of the UEFA Cup, in which he started. Parnaby finished his season, making thirty-eight appearance in all competition.

He was first choice right-back at the start of the 2006–07 season, but the form and performances of fellow defenders Andrew Davies and Abel Xavier made him lose his place in the starting line-up. Parnaby soon suffered an injury after colliding with Paul Dickov, resulting a broken toe during a match against Manchester City. After making his return throughout December, his return was later short-lived when he suffered a knee injury. After making his return to the first team, Parnaby went on to make 18 appearance.

At the end of the 2006-07 season, it was announced that Parnaby will be leaving the club despite being offered a new contract.

Birmingham City

Parnaby signed a three-year contract with Birmingham City on a free transfer on 1 June 2007. This came after when Birmingham City expressed their signing him. Upon joining Birmingham City, Parnaby revealed Manager Steve Bruce was the main factor he joined Birmingham, stating he made him ten feet tall

Parnaby made his Birmingham City debut, in the opening game of the season, coming on as a substitute for Queudrue in the 51st minutes, in a 3-2 loss against Chelsea. Then on 25 August 2007, Parnaby played at a left-back during a match against Derby County, which saw Middlesbrough won 2-1. Ahead of the match against his former club, Middlesbrough, on 1 September 2007, Parnaby hoped his performance would prove Southgate wrong. After months on the sideline, Parnaby played in the club's reserve against Chelsea's Reserve and scored with a victory. However, as the 2007–08 Premier League season progresses, Parnaby struggled with injuries and loss of form, so was unable to dislodge former Tottenham Hotspur player Stephen Kelly from the right-back spot. Kelly retained the jersey for the whole campaign, becoming the only player to play every Premiership game.

However, in pre-season in preparation for the 2008–09 season Kelly picked up a groin strain, so manager Alex McLeish picked Parnaby for the first game of the season against Sheffield United in the Championship. After making another appearance, Parnaby hope he established himself at the club. Weeks later on 23 August 2008 against Barnsley, Parnaby provided assist for Kevin Phillips with a 2-0 win. But following the return of Kelly, Parnaby expected to compete with Kelly over a right-back position. However, Parnaby's injuries concern overshadowed his season, including missing out for the rest of the season.

Expected to return for the pre-season, Parnaby, however, suffered a virus, but soon made a return in a pre-season friendly match against Dagenham & Redbridge on 29 July 2009. Parnaby was then given all-clear following a scan after he suffered a calf injury during a match against Crewe Alexandra. Parnaby was a substitute in Birmingham's first match after their return to the Premier League, against Portsmouth, replacing Grégory Vignal in a 1–0 victory on 19 August 2009. A week later on 25 August 2009, Parnaby provided an assist for Lee Carsley, which turned out to be the winning goal in a 2-1 win over Southampton in the second round of League Cup. Ahead of the match against Bolton Wanderers on 26 September 2009, Parnaby suffered leg injury during a match Sunderland and was stretched off. Despite false of serious injury, he wasn't included in the squad. Parnaby missed the majority of the 2009-10 season, due to injuries and on the substitute bench.

Ahead of the 2010–11 season, Parnaby signed a one-year contract extension. Upon signing a contract, Parnaby said he never have second thoughtabout staying at Birmingham City. In the pre-season friendly, Parnaby regained his fitness, which he described as the best summer he ever had. Parnaby made his first appearance of the season, in the third round of League Cup, in a 3-1 win over MK Dons on 21 September 2010. Then on 29 January 2011, Parnaby scored his first goal for Birmingham City in a 3-2 win against Coventry City in the third round of FA Cup. He was an unused substitute as Birmingham won the 2011 League Cup, defeating favourites Arsenal 2–1. Following the club's relegation at the end of the 2010–11 season, Parnaby left the club when his contract expired.

After training with clubs including Coventry City and Leeds United, Parnaby was reported in late September to have agreed a contract and passed a medical with former club Birmingham City, but the club made a decision not to proceed. He later had trials with Millwall, Charlton Athletic, Carlisle United and Hull City.

Return to Middlesbrough

On 2 July 2012, Parnaby rejoined Middlesbrough on a two-year deal with the option of a further year.

He made his competitive debut on 25 September as manager Tony Mowbray made eleven changes for the League Cup match at Preston North End, which Boro won 3–1. Parnaby then provided an assist for Faris Haroun to score the second goal of the game (and his second goal of the game), in a 3-2 win over Peterborough United on 8 December 2012. However, Parnaby struggled with injury throughout the season, limiting him with fourteen appearance.

In the 2013-14 season, Parnaby made his return from injury and made his first start in the opening game of the season, in a 2-1 loss against Leicester City. By the time Parnaby made two appearance, he suffered an injury at the end of August. Since then, Parnaby was barely featured in the first team and haven't played throughout the 2013-14 season. Following the end of the 203-14 season, Parnaby was released by the club on 16 May 2014.

Hartlepool United

Following his release by Middlesbrough, Parnaby joined League Two side Hartlepool United on 26 June 2014. Upon joining the club, Parnaby was given number twelve shirt. Parnaby also stated he cannot wait to get back to work as quickly as possible.

Parnaby made his Hartleppol United debut, making his first start, in the opening game of the season, which saw the club lost 1-0 against Stevenage. However, Parnaby suffered a knee injury and was sidelined for nine months after operation. After six months out, Parnaby made his return in the club's reserve against Gateshead. At the end of the 2014-15 season, it was announced that Parnaby was among six players to be released by the club.

Parnaby announced his retirement from professional football on 10 September 2015. Seven months after announcing his retirement, it was announced that Parnaby re-joined Hartlepool United as the club's pre-rehabilitation and conditioning coach.

International career

Parnaby represented England, having represented England U16, England U18, England U20 and England U21.

Career statistics

Personal life

In 2010, married to his partner of seven years, Paula, back in his home city of Durham. In late 2013, Parnaby and his wife were expecting their first child. However, the baby died. Ahead of the match against Brighton & Hove Albion, Middlesbrough's players woreblack armbands as mark of respect. Her death prompted an online charity, which raised over £5,000 in two days.

Parnaby has an older brother, who is a golfer and currently resides in United States.

Honours