George Michael R. Parris (born 11 September 1964) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder or defender for West Ham United, Birmingham City, and Brighton & Hove Albion.

A lengthy spell of reserve team football followed before he made his First Division debut in the final match of the 1984–85 season at home against Liverpool in May 1985.

He made a handful of appearances in the first half of the 1985–86 season, then replaced the injured Steve Walford at left-back and impressed as the West Ham won 11 of their last 14 games to finish third in the table.

Parris made only 27 league and cup appearances in the 1991–92 season; he suffered a knee injury against Aston Villa on Boxing Day that required surgery, and then collapsed during his comeback game against Arsenal in March 1992 with a suspected heart-related problem.

Injuries and a change of manager in November 1993 saw him fall out of favour and he spent the 1994–95 season on loan at Brentford, Bristol City and Brighton & Hove Albion before being released.

[citation needed] After a trial with Stoke and a short spell with Norrköping in Sweden,[7] Parris signed a permanent deal with Brighton in September 1995 and stayed for two seasons.

[13] During his playing days Parris became addicted to gambling, amassing debts, after leaving West Ham to join Birmingham City.