Bernard Parker facts for kids
Parker with FC Twente in 2009
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 16 March 1986 | ||
| Place of birth | Boksburg, South Africa | ||
| Height | 1.70 m | ||
| Playing position | Attacking midfielder forward |
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| Club information | |||
| Current club | TS Galaxy reserves (head coach) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Transnet School of Excellence | |||
| Mamelodi Sundowns | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2004–2009 | Thanda Royal Zulu | 116 | (29) |
| 2009 | → Red Star Belgrade | 16 | (6) |
| 2009–2011 | FC Twente | 17 | (0) |
| 2011 | → Panserraikos (loan) | 12 | (1) |
| 2011–2022 | Kaizer Chiefs | 283 | (49) |
| 2022–2024 | TS Galaxy | 34 | (3) |
| Total | 478 | (88) | |
| National team | |||
| 2006–2008 | South Africa U23 | 22 | (12) |
| 2007–2015 | South Africa | 73 | (23) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2024– | TS Galaxy reserves | ||
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Bernard Parker (born 16 March 1986) is a famous South African soccer player who is now a coach. He played as a midfielder or forward. He is currently the head coach for the reserve team of TS Galaxy.
Bernard Parker played for the South Africa national soccer team from 2007 to 2015. During this time, he played in 73 games and scored 23 goals. He started his professional career with Thanda Royal Zulu F.C. in South Africa. Later, he played for teams in Serbia, the Netherlands, and Greece.
He joined FC Twente in the Netherlands in 2009. There, he helped his team win the 2009-10 Eredivisie league title. He also won the 2010 Johan Cruyff Shield, which is a super cup match in Dutch football.
In 2011, Parker moved back to South Africa to play for Kaizer Chiefs. He spent over ten years with the club, playing more than 350 games and scoring over 60 goals. He won two league titles, the Nedbank Cup, and the MTN 8 with Kaizer Chiefs. He was also the top scorer in the league in the 2013–14 season, winning the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot.
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Early Life and Sports
Bernard Parker was born and grew up in Reiger Park, a township near Boksburg, Gauteng. He was very good at many sports when he was young. He was excellent at both short and long-distance running. He also earned special recognition in swimming for the Eastern Gauteng region.
Playing for Clubs
Starting His Career
Bernard Parker learned his soccer skills at the School of Excellence. He began his professional career with Hellenic FC in Cape Town. This club later changed its name to Benoni Premier United. When the club moved to Durban and changed its name again to Thanda Royal Zulu F.C., Parker stayed with them.
In early 2009, he moved to Europe to play for Red Star Belgrade in Serbia. However, his time there was short because the club faced some financial challenges.
Time in Europe
In July 2009, Parker signed with FC Twente in the Netherlands. He was part of the team that won the Dutch league title in the 2009–10 Eredivisie season. After his coach, Steve McClaren, left, Parker didn't play as much. He was then loaned to Panserraikos F.C. in Greece in January 2011 to get more playing time. He returned to FC Twente after the season ended.
Returning to South Africa
After his time in Europe, Parker chose to join Kaizer Chiefs F.C. in South Africa in 2011. This was a big move for him.
In the 2012–13 season, Parker scored 12 goals in 28 league games. He helped Kaizer Chiefs win both the league and a cup that season. The next season, he was the top scorer in the league with 10 goals. This earned him the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot award.
Bernard Parker played for Kaizer Chiefs for more than ten years. He left the club in June 2022. He then joined TS Galaxy F.C. in August 2022, signing a two-year contract.
In October 2023, Parker suffered a serious leg injury during a match against Mamelodi Sundowns F.C.. He announced his retirement from playing soccer in July 2024.
Playing for His Country
Early International Games
Bernard Parker first played for the South Africa national soccer team in 2007 against Malawi. He scored his first goal for his country in 2008, also against Malawi.
In June 2009, he scored two goals in a 2–0 win against New Zealand in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. He was named the Man of the Match for his great performance.
World Cup and Other Tournaments
Parker played for South Africa in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which was held in his home country. The team was eliminated after the group stage. He also played in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, which South Africa hosted.
In June 2013, Parker scored a goal for South Africa against Ethiopia. Later in the same game, he accidentally scored an own goal, which meant South Africa could not qualify for the 2014 World Cup.
A few months later, in November 2013, Parker scored a fantastic goal against Spain. He chipped the ball over the Spanish goalkeeper, Víctor Valdés, helping South Africa win 1–0 against the then-world and European champions. This was a big surprise win!
In 2014, Parker was the top goal scorer at the 2014 African Nations Championship. He scored four goals in three group matches.
Becoming a Coach
After retiring from playing, Bernard Parker became the head coach of the TS Galaxy reserve team. This team plays in the PSL Reserve League. He started this new role before the 2024–25 season.
Personal Life
Bernard Parker married Wendy Cherry on 16 June 2012. Their wedding took place in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, with 170 guests attending.
Honours
FC Twente
- Eredivisie: 2009–10
- Johan Cruijff Schaal: 2010
Kaizer Chiefs
- Premier Soccer League: 2012–13, 2014–15
- Nedbank Cup: 2012–13
- MTN 8: 2015
Individual Awards
- Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot: 2013–14
- African Nations Championship Golden Boot: 2014
See also
In Spanish: Bernard Parker para niños
