Background
Parker was born and grew up in Reiger Park, a township next to Boksburg.
Parker was born and grew up in Reiger Park, a township next to Boksburg.
A product of the School of Excellence, Parker made his debut in the professional ranks for Cape Town"s Hellenic Football Club, later bought and renamed Benoni Premier United. After the club was once again renamed and moved to Durban he remained with Thanda Royal Zulu F.C. until early 2009 when he obtained a transfer to European Cup Winners Red Star in Serbia. After Twente Manager Steve Mclaren"s move to the German Bundesliga, Parker failed to convince new coach Michel Preud"homme of his qualities and thus spent the first half of the 2010/11 Dutch season mostly on the bench.
He joined Leicester City on trial in December 2010 with a view to a permanent move away from the Dutch club
On 18 January 2011 he moved to Panserraikos F.C. on loan, to secure extra game time and returned to after the end of the 2010/11 Greek season. After receiving interest from Swedish clubs Malmö FF and Helsingborgs IF as well as South Africa"s, Parker chose the latter ahead of the other clubs.
In the 2012/13 season, Parker scored 12 league goals in 28 matches and finished as runner up to Katlego Mashego who had 13 and helped Chiefs to a league and cup double. Bernard Parker had his national team debut against Malawi in 2007, scoring his first goal in 2008 against the same team
On 16 June 2013, Parker scored an own goal in a 2–1 defeat to Ethiopia which ended South Africa"s chances of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.
Earlier in the match he had given South Africa a 1–0 lead. International goals Club Individual.