Bobby Parker (footballer, born 1925)

Bobby Parker (Born, Riccarton, 16 February 1925, died 1 March 1997) was a Scottish football player. Parker played for Partick Thistle and most notably for Hearts.

Parker played for the Jags in which he made 11 league appearances.

Parker was signed at the age of 22 by Hearts Manager Davie McLean on 5 April 1947. He debuted the season after on 16 August 1947 in a 3-2 Scottish League Cup section game 3-2 defeat away to Airdrieonians. He formed a lengthy full back partnership with Tam McKenzie who was already at Hearts when Parker arrived.

McLean's sudden death in February 1951 brought Tommy Walker's promotion to take over as Manager. Parker and McKenzie both played when Hearts won the 1954 Scottish League Cup Final 4-2 against Motherwell. This was Hearts' first major trophy in 48 years and the first of seven in nine years Hearts won under Walker.

Bobby Kirk joined Hearts in 1955. Kirk played in the right back role when Hearts won the 1956 Scottish Cup Final 3-1 against Celtic. Parker was still at Tynecastle when Hearts won the 1957-58 Scottish title breaking many Scottish records. Parker was by now though a fringe player and made only four appearances in the league winning campaign. His last first team appearance was that season on 23 November 1957 in a 2-1 defeat away to Clyde.

In 11 seasons Parker made 329 competitive first team Hearts appearances (scoring 28 goals) including 247 league games. He additionally played 42 friendlies (scoring 5 goals). Thus in a total he made 371 first team appearances scoring 33 times. After retiring as a player he joined the Hearts back room team coaching the reserves. He then joined the Hearts Board of Directors in which he also had a spell as Chairman.

Bobby Parker died on 1 March 1997 two weeks after his 72nd birthday.

Hearts:-

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