Paul Andrew Parker (born 4 April 1964 in West Ham, London) is an English former professional footballer, manager and sports television pundit. He attended Sanders Draper School in Hornchurch. As a player he was a full back from 1982 to 1997 most notably in the Premier League for Manchester United, also having spells with Queens Park Rangers, Fulham, Derby County, Sheffield United, Chelsea and Farnborough Town. He was also a crucial player at the 1990 World Cup with England and earned 19 caps. He had a brief spells as a manager from 2001 to 2005 with Chelmsford City and Welling United.

Club Career
Parker started his career with Fulham before joining QPR, where he made his name as a nippy and incisive defender, even though he lacked the height normally associated with his position. During this period, Parker was sold by QPR to Manchester United for £2 million on 8 August 1991, and he made his debut (now as a specialist right back) against Notts County the same month. Parker’s fiveyear career at Old Trafford began well enough but was eventually blighted frequently by injury and as the club began to dominate the English game under Alex Ferguson, Parker struggled to maintain his fitness. He won a League Cup winners medal in 1992, a Premiership title medal a year later, and another Premiership title medal and the FA Cup a further year on. Later in the1996–97 season, he played several games for Chelsea

International Career
His prowess was noticed by England coach Bobby Robson who, establishing he could also play at right back, gave him his international debut against Albania in 1989. Parker continued to play centrally for his club while deputizing for the first-choice Gary Stevens on the right side of defense for country. He was selected as Stevens’ back-up for the 1990 World Cup in Italy but, with Stevens putting in a disappointing display in the opening 1–1 draw with the Republic of Ireland, Parker was put in the team, just five caps into his career. He stayed there, playing comfortably behind Chris Waddle as England progressed through their group and as far as the semi-finals, where they met West Germany. Here two incidents would define Parker’s career.

Managerial & Coaching Career
After retiring from playing, he became manager of Chelmsford City in june 2001. He later managed Welling United. In 2009 he worked as a Coaching consultant and game development officer for Football federation NT.

Media Career
Paul has ventured into media punditry and was the lead co-commentator with Steve Bower on Setanta Sports’ live Conference National coverage. From 2011, Parker has worked as a pundit on ESPN Star Sports, Astro SuperSport in Malaysia and Mio Stadium in Singapore. He also writes a blog on Yahoo Eurosport.