The Capital One Cup second round between Burnley and Preston North End brings together two of the former clubs of former PNE player Gary Parkinson.
Fans of both clubs will no doubt be aware that Gary is still suffering from locked-in syndrome after suffering a severe stroke three years ago.
And as the Lilywhites and the Clarets meet for the first time since his illness, we would like North End and Burnley fans to come together in sending a message of support to Gary and his family by joining in one minute’s applause during Tuesday’s game.
We ask that this takes place in the second minute of the match, to acknowledge the number 2 shirt in which Gary played the vast majority of his games for both Preston and Burnley.
After beginning his career as a junior at Everton, over 200 appearances for Middlesbrough and short spells at Southend and Bolton, Gary joined Burnley in January 1994. He went on to appear in 163 matches for the Clarets and scored just five goals. However, one of those goals was one of the most celebrated in Burnley FC history, the crucial second in the Clarets’ 2-1 win against Stockport in the 1994 Play-Off Final and Gary became the first Burnley player ever to score a winning goal in a club match at Wembley. In his final season at Turf Moor, 1996/97, he was voted into the PFA Division Two team of the season.
In May 1997 he moved to North End and in his first season at Deepdale, 1997/98, again made the PFA Division Two team of the season. He went on to make 104 appearances for PNE, scoring eight goals and played his part in Preston reaching the Division Two Play-Offs in 1999. After a bad knee injury he supported from the sidelines in North End’s promotion-winning season in 1999/2000 and he left Deepdale in March 2001, ending his senior career with Blackpool.
Preston North End Football Club and Burnley Football Club both wish to send our best wishes to Gary and his family.