Parnell Fred Image 1 Leeds City 1905

Description

Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire born outside right Fred Parnell began his football career with junior clubs Skegby in 1901 and Pinxton 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 9 appearances during his two seasons at The Baseball Ground before joining newly elected Leeds City in August 1905 making his debut in their inaugural Football League fixture at Bradford City on 2nd September.

Easily recognisable by his distinctive large dapper moustache, he quickly became a regular and one of City’s most outstanding players. He stayed at Elland Road for three seasons, scoring 19 goals in 111 appearances, before leaving to join Exeter City in 1908 – playing in their first season as a professional club, Parnell made his debut in the club’s first ever Southern League match at Millwall in September 1908. He joined First Division Preston North End in May 1909, scoring once in fifteen appearances before, returning to Exeter City in May 1910 where he stayed two more seasons. He scored 5 goals in 50 appearances for The Grecians across both his spells at St James Park before returning to the East Midlands and non league football first with Sutton Junction in 1912 and then with Mansfield Town in November 1913 where he finished his career.