Tony Parry

Who was Tony Parry?

Anthony John "Tony" Parry was an English former footballer who made nearly 200 appearances in the Football League playing as a central defender for Hartlepool United, Derby County and Mansfield Town.

Parry was born in Burton upon Trent. He was Brian Clough's first signing as manager of Hartlepool. He was a mainstay of the side which won promotion from the Fourth Division in the 1967–68 season, and won the club's inaugural Player of the Year award.

In 1972 the club was on the brink of going out of business, needing to sell a player to survive, when Clough, by then manager of Derby County, bid £2,500 for the player. It is usually regarded as a philanthropic gesture by Clough as Parry made few appearances for Derby before moving on to Mansfield Town.

He later played non-league football for Gresley Rovers, where he was Player of the Year in the 1982–83 season.

Parry died suddenly on 23 November 2009, following a short battle with pneumonia.

In February 2009, Parry made a triumphant return to the North East as guest of honour at Hartlepool United's centenary dinner.