Source: Northern_Echo
Ex-Middlesbrough ace seriously ill
FORMER Middlesbrough defender Gary Parkinson is fighting for his life after suffering a stroke aged 42.[LNB] Parkinson, who made more than 250 appearances as a full back for Middlesbrough, is said to be in an extremely critical condition.[LNB] The Thornaby-born defender, who now works as head of youth development at Premier League club Blackpool, fell ill last Tuesday.[LNB] He was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital but then transferred to Salford Royal Hope Hospital. He has now been transferred back to the Royal Bolton.[LNB] A spokesman for Middlesbrough said the club were shocked and saddened to hear of Parkinson's illness.[LNB] Blackpool dedicated their surprise win at Newcastle United on Saturday to Parkinson.[LNB] When Charlie Adam opened the scoring from the penalty spot before half time, he dashed to the visitors' dugout picked up a T-shirt displaying 4-Parky written on it.[LNB] The same T-shirt was hoisted in front of away supporters in the Leazes End at the end of match as Blackpool celebrated their 2-0 victory.[LNB] Tangerines' boss Ian Holloway, who revealed some of his players broke down in tears when they heard the news, said: We will find out a bit more in the next few days, but they are a very important few days and all our love is with him.[LNB] I can't talk about it at the moment, but it is very serious.[LNB] We believe in him and his family.[LNB] All our love is with him and we believe he will come through it.[LNB] Parkinson made 258 league and cup appearances for Boro between 1986 and 1993, helping them achieve two successive promotions and a first ever trip to Wembley in the ZDS Cup final in 1990.[LNB] In June 1991 he married childhood sweetheart Debbie in a ceremony at St Patrick's Church, in Thornaby, with children from St Patrick's School football team forming a guard of honour.[LNB] He is now based in the North-West but is believed to still have family on Teesside.[LNB]
