Vale John Parkinson
1971
Games: 3 Goals: 1
The Collingwood Football Club is saddened to announce the death of former player John Parkinson.
‘Buzz’, as he was widely known, was a champion with Claremont in Western Australia. He was a Premiership player there, won their best-and-fairest and in 1967 tied for the Sandover Medal (WA’s equivalent of the Brownlow) with the legendary Bill Walker.
A brilliant rover with an uncanny eye for goals – he could snap seemingly impossible goals from just about any angle – he also won the club’s goalkicking on three occasions.
So there was great anticipation surrounding his arrival at Victoria Park in 1971, the Pies having fought off the attention of at least nine other VFL clubs to win his signature.
Unfortunately a combination of injuries and trouble adapting to the VFL meant he had a difficult season, playing only three senior games. He returned to Claremont at the end of the year and played two more seasons at the club where he is rightly regarded as a legend.
The Board, management, staff, coaches and players of the Collingwood Football Club would like to acknowledge John Parkinson’s contribution to our club, and also to the wider game of Australian football. Our thoughts are with his family, and his friends from Collingwood, Claremont, the WAFL and beyond.
Side by Side.
To read John’s full story and the stats from his career, check his bio on Forever:
