Profile

Born in Barrow-in Furness, G.D. (George David) Parker, signed for Oldham in August 1960, from Manchester Rugby Union club, where his displays were so impressive as to land him the captaincy of the Lancashire County XV. Once with the “Roughyeds”, he soon established himself as the first team loose forward.

A clever footballer, Dave was a sound ball handler with a good eye for an opening from which his long striding runs would make many tries for his team mates. In the match at Widnes on September 19th, 1964, the ever alert Parker caught the ball from an Oldham re-start kick off and scythed right through the “Chemics” defence to score a remarkable try. On defence he was tremendous. It didn’t matter if it was a forward charging head on, or a wing man speeding up the touchline, he would hit them hard and low and fair. When tackled by Dave Parker, you stayed tackled !

He went on to captain Oldham, gained county honours and two full Great Britain caps. His two internationals were against the French in 1964, Dave scoring a try in the second of these games, when Britain won easily 39 – 0 at Leigh, on March 18th.

A recurrence of a knee injury in the first match of the 1967-68 season against Liverpool City brought an end to the career of one of the most stylish forwards ever to play for the club.