[3] In 2006, he was appointed Head of Youth at his former club Blackpool, a role he occupied until he suffered a severe stroke in September 2010, leading to a diagnosis of locked-in syndrome.
Parkinson's first team debut came in the following season on 23 August 1986 in a 2–2 home draw against Port Vale which was played at Victoria Park, Hartlepool.
However, Parkinson made only three league appearances for them, with just one start after failing to displace the long serving Phil Brown.
He was transfer listed by Rioch along with three other first team players in September 1993[7] He signed for Second Division club Burnley the following season on 27 January 1994.
They beat Stockport County in the play-off final at Wembley, with Parkinson scoring the crucial winning goal that sealed their promotion.
[13] He was released at the end of the 2001–02 season and went on to play part-time with Northern Premier League (NPL) club Stalybridge Celtic on 17 August 2002.
In the 2007–08 season he won the Lancashire FA Youth Cup with Blackpool on 28 April 2008 when they beat Wigan Athletic 2–0 at Bloomfield Road.
[19] In June 2003 Parkinson played for Middlesbrough in the annual Northern Masters football tournament at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, scoring two goals.