He started his career with Leeds United, but gained his first taste of senior football at Bradford City, spending the 2006–07 season on loan at the club.

Born in Pontefract, England, Parker started his career with Leeds United, but made his full debut during the 2006–07 season while on loan at local rivals Bradford City.

[7] Having made 15 appearances for Leeds during the 2007–08 season, he was transferred to Dave Penney's Darlington on a one-month loan deal in February 2008.

[11] He missed the final game of the season against Peterborough United but returned for the first leg League Two play-off semi-final victory over Rochdale.

[13] He returned to Leeds for the 2008–09 season, and scored his first goal for the club with a 35-yard shot in a 5–2 win in an FA Cup first round replay against Northampton Town at Sixfields on 17 November.

[15] He was a major part in the opening goal of the play-off semi-final second leg against Millwall in which he made a blistering 70-yard run to cross for Luciano Becchio to fire home from six-yards.

[18] Parker assisted a goal for Jermaine Beckford in the season opening 2–1 win against Exeter City, before he suffered a hamstring injury and was substituted.

After finally recovering to full fitness he made two substitute appearances in April, before picking up a calf injury after starting the game against Milton Keynes Dons.

[24] Four days later, Parker played in a 1–1 draw against Premier League club Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, and gave away a 90th-minute penalty after fouling Theo Walcott, which was converted to leave the final score at 1–1.

[26] He started the 2011–12 pre-season as United's first choice left back, however his injury nightmare returned when he had to be substituted against Sheffield Wednesday after a heavy challenge; he was replaced by Hungarian trialist Boldizsár Bodor.

[29] Parker then admitted he needed a loan move in order to re-gain his match sharpness after an injury hit two and a half years.

[42] As the season concluded, Parker decided to leave the playing squad, but remained in charge of the club's Player Development Centre.