Parkin made his
Football League debut on 7 November 1964 for
Huddersfield Town against
Bury, aged 16. In February 1968, he became at the time the most expensive
full-back in Britain when he joined
First Division side Wolves for
£80,000. He made his club debut on 24 February 1968 against his hometown side
Newcastle United. Over 14 years at
Molineux, he made a record number of senior appearances – 609, including 501 league games, also a club record. He played 50 or more competitive matches in a season for Wolves no fewer than five times – another record – and in seasons
1968–69 and
1969–70, he took part in every single league and cup match played by the club. His long service saw him receive a
testimonial match in 1979 and become one of the initial inductees into the club's Hall of Fame. He played ten matches for Stoke in
1981–82 and the played in 35 matches in
1982–83 before retiring from playing football. ==International career==