Background
Parnaby graduated from Middlesbrough"s Academy, which was run by his father, Dave.
Parnaby graduated from Middlesbrough"s Academy, which was run by his father, Dave.
He went on to make more than 100 appearances for Middlesbrough"s first team before joining Birmingham City in 2007. After four years with the club, a time disrupted by injury, he was released at the end of the 2010-2011 season. After having one year out of the game, Parnaby rejoined Middlesbrough on a two-year deal in July 2012.
Middlesbrough
Parnaby, a native of Durham, County Durham, began his senior career for Middlesbrough in September 2000 in a League Cup match against Macclesfield Town.
Parnaby did not feature in the 2001-2002 season, due to long-lasting injuries. Again, during the 2003-2004 season, he found himself struggling to feature in the team after a four-month layoff for a knee injury.
He was first choice right-back at the start of the 2006-2007 season, but the form and performances of fellow defenders Andrew Davies and Abel Xavier made him lose his place in the starting line-up. Birmingham City
Parnaby signed a three-year contract with Birmingham City on a free transfer on 1 June 2007.
In the 2007-2008 Premier League season, Parnaby struggled with injuries and loss of form, so was unable to dislodge former Tottenham Hotspur player Stephen Kelly from the right-back spot.
Kelly retained the jersey for the whole campaign, becoming the only player to play every Premiership game. However in pre-season in preparation for the 2008-2009 season Kelly picked up a groin strain, so manager Alex McLeish picked Parnaby for the first game of the season against Sheffield United in the Championship. Parnaby was a substitute in Birmingham"s first match after their return to the Premier League, against Portsmouth, replacing Grégory Vignal in a 1–0 victory in August 2009.
Following the club"s relegation at the end of the 2010-2011 season, Parnaby left the club when his contract expired.
After training with clubs including Coventry City and Leeds United, Parnaby was reported in late September to have agreed a contract and passed a medical with former club Birmingham City, but the club made a decision not to proceed. He later had trials with Millwall, Charlton Athletic, Carlisle United and Hull City.
Return to Middlesbrough
On 2 July 2012, Parnaby rejoined Middlesbrough on a two-year deal with the option of a further year. Parnaby was released by the club on 16 May 2014.
Retirement
Parnaby announced his retirement from professional football on 10 September 2015.