Oxford United have added to their backroom team with Garry Parker joining the club with a very specific new role.
Garry was born in Oxford and enjoyed a long and distinguished playing career that included spells at Luton Town, Nottingham Forest, Aston VIlla and Leicester City and saw him earn England under 21 and B caps. He then made the move to coaching, working with former Leicester teammate Neil Lennon at Glasgow Celtic as well as at Bolton Wanderers and most recently at Hibernian.
Garry still lives locally and told us he is excited to be involved with the U’s:
“Obviously I am an Oxford lad but it has taken me a while to join my local club! I came close to signing as a player a couple of times but I am delighted to be getting this chance to work alongside Karl, Derek Fazackerley and the other fantastic coaches here.
“It’s an interesting role and based around watching the opposition. We play Coventry on Saturday so I watched them and we have analysed the way they play, and then in the build up when we do 11 v 11 I will set up the opposition in that shape and we can help our own players counter that and impose our own style. I will also coach and give my thoughts whenever Karl asks and it has been nice to be around the new training ground and made to feel part of the club straight away.”
Karl told us:
“Garry is a fantastic coach and brings a new pair of eye to what we are doing, which is a big help. Our analysis is always fantastic but I like the idea of a former player and a really experienced coach looking at the team we are playing. He also has great contacts at all levels in the game and that will hopefully open up a few new doors for us as well.”