Elliot Parish
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Elliot Parish
| image = Parish, Elliot.jpg
| caption = Elliot Parish with Aston Villa in August 2011
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1990|05|20}}{{soccerbase|49362|name=Elliot Parish}}
| birth_place = Towcester, England
| position = Goalkeeper
| youthyears1 = 2006–2009
| youthclubs1 = Aston Villa
| years1 = 2009–2012
| clubs1 = Aston Villa
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2011
| clubs2 = → Lincoln City (loan)
| caps2 = 9
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2011
| clubs3 = → Cardiff City (loan)
| caps3 = 0
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2012–2013
| clubs4 = Cardiff City
| caps4 = 0
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2012
| clubs5 = → Wycombe Wanderers (loan)
| caps5 = 2
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2013–2014
| clubs6 = Bristol City
| caps6 = 19
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2014
| clubs7 = → Newport County (loan)
| caps7 = 7
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2014–2015
| clubs8 = Blackpool
| caps8 = 13
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2015–2016
| clubs9 = Colchester United
| caps9 = 25
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2016–2017
| clubs10 = Accrington Stanley
| caps10 = 11
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2017–2019
| clubs11 = Dundee
| caps11 = 30
| goals11 = 0
| years12 = 2019–2023
| clubs12 = St Johnstone
| caps12 = 18
| goals12 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2009
| nationalteam1 = England U20
| nationalcaps1 = 3
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| manageryears1 = 2022–2023
| managerclubs1 = St Johnstone (GK coach)
| club-update =
| nationalteam-update =
| currentclub = Atlanta United (goalkeeper coach)
| manageryears2 = 2025–
| managerclubs2 = Atlanta United (GK coach)
| totalcaps = 134
| totalgoals = 0
}}
Elliot Charles Parish (born 20 May 1990) is an English professional football coach and a former goalkeeper. He is currently the goalkeeper coach of Major League Soccer club Atlanta United.
Parish began his career at Aston Villa, where he progressed through the club's Academy. He made his professional debut away from the club on loan at League Two side Lincoln City in 2011, before a short loan at Cardiff City where he made no appearances. He joined Cardiff on a permanent basis in January 2012, before being loaned out to Wycombe Wanderers later the same year. He was released by the club in 2013, again failing to make a first-team appearance. He joined Bristol City, where he went on to make 19 league appearances, but again found himself out on loan, on this occasion to Newport County. He later joined Blackpool for one season, and then played for Colchester United for one season, before joining Accrington Stanley. He then signed for Dundee where he spent two seasons. Internationally, Parish has represented England at under-20 level.{{cite web |title=England Matches – Under-20's |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/MatchRsl/MatchRslTmU20.html |access-date=23 July 2015 |publisher=England Football Online}}
Parish finished his playing career with St Johnstone, and began his coaching career there as the club's goalkeeper coach. In 2025, Parish became Major League Soccer club Atlanta United under manager Ronny Deila.
Club career
=Aston Villa=
Born in Towcester,{{cite book |last1=Rollin |first1=Glenda |last2=Rollin |first2=Jack |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 |year=2012 |publisher=Headline |location=London |isbn=978-0-7553-6356-8 |page=448 |edition=43rd }} Parish joined the Academy at Aston Villa ahead of the 2006–07 season. He became the regular goalkeeper for Villa's under-18 side that won the 2007–08 Premier Academy League title and reached the semi-final of the FA Youth Cup the same year. While with the club, he represented the England under-20 team, playing in the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup. England manager Brian Eastick said that Parish was one of the best players at the tournament.{{cite web |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/ReservesProfile/0,,10265~2091276,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106214745/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/ReservesProfile/0%2C%2C10265~2091276%2C00.html |archive-date=6 January 2012 |title=Elliot Parish |publisher=Aston Villa FC |access-date=23 July 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} Having travelled with the first-team squad during pre-season and in the Europa League, Parish became the regular goalkeeper for Aston Villa's reserve team during the 2010–11 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2323675,00.html |title=Goalkeeper Parish makes loan move to Lincoln |date=24 March 2011 |publisher=Aston Villa FC |access-date=27 March 2011 }}
==Lincoln City loan==
League Two side Lincoln City signed Parish on 24 March 2011 on loan until the end of the season.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/lincoln_city/9435426.stm |title=Lincoln City sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Elliott Parish |date=24 March 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=27 March 2011 }} He went straight into Lincoln's starting eleven to make his professional debut the following day, conceding six goals as Rotherham United won 6–0 at Sincil Bank.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/12782156 |title=Lincoln City 0–6 Rotherham |date=25 March 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=27 March 2011 }} Parish made nine appearances for Lincoln, conceding 23 goals in a period where the Imps accrued just one point.{{Soccerbase season|49362|2010|name=Elliot Parish|access-date=23 July 2015}}
=Cardiff City=
Cardiff City initially signed Parish on a six-week loan from Aston Villa on 23 September 2011.{{cite news |date=23 September 2011 |title=Cardiff City sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Elliot Parish on loan |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-sign-aston-villa-1812342 |newspaper=Wales Online |location=Cardiff |access-date=23 July 2015 }} However, despite failing to make an appearance for Cardiff, manager Malky Mackay signed Parish on a permanent basis on 4 January 2012, with the player signing a one-and-a-half-year deal.{{cite news |date=4 January 2012 |title=Cardiff City sign Elliot Parish on permanent deal |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-sign-elliot-parish-2039744 |newspaper=Wales Online |location=Cardiff |access-date=23 July 2015 }} At the end of the 2012–13 season, Parish was released after the club decided not to offer him a new deal.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22444675 |title=Cardiff City: McPhail departs, McNaughton offered new deal |date=16 May 2013 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=29 July 2013 }}
==Wycombe Wanderers loan==
Parish joined Wycombe Wanderers in an emergency loan deal on 18 September 2012 after injuries to regular goalkeepers Nikki Bull and Matt Ingram.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19635891 |title=Goalkeeper Elliot Parish loaned to Wycombe by Cardiff |date=18 September 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=18 September 2012 }} He made his debut for the club the same day in a 3–2 defeat away to Exeter City.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19554088 |title=Exeter 3–2 Wycombe |date=18 September 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=23 July 2015 }} He made just one further appearance for the club, a 1–0 home defeat by AFC Wimbledon four days later.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19615111 |title=Wycombe 0–1 Wimbledon |date=22 September 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=23 July 2015 }}
=Bristol City=
After his release by Cardiff, Parish joined Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen on trial with a view to a permanent contract.{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11789/8796938/transfer-news-aberdeen-linked-with-move-for-former-cardiff-goalkeeper-elliot-parish |title=Transfer news: Aberdeen linked with move for former Cardiff goalkeeper Elliot Parish |last=O'Rourke |first=Pete |date=28 June 2013 |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=29 June 2013 }} However, after one week training with Aberdeen, it was announced that Parish would not be offered a deal by the club.{{cite web|url=http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/Article.aspx/3305558 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919133601/http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/Article.aspx/3305558 |archive-date=19 September 2013 |title=No Aberdeen FC deal for goalie trialist Parish |publisher=Evening Express |date=6 July 2013 |access-date=23 July 2015 }} He then joined League One club Bristol City on trial on 11 July 2013.{{cite news |date=11 July 2013 |title=Sean O'Driscoll hands trial to Elliot Parish as Bristol City's keeper search continues |url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Sean-O-Driscoll-hands-trial-Elliot-Parish-Bristol/story-19503999-detail/story.html#axzz2aTWzoOlR |newspaper=Bristol Post |location=Bristol |access-date=29 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724041814/http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Sean-O-Driscoll-hands-trial-Elliot-Parish-Bristol/story-19503999-detail/story.html#axzz2aTWzoOlR |archive-date=24 July 2015 |url-status=dead }} On 26 July, it was announced that Parish had signed a two-year deal with the club following his successful trial.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23392729 |title=Elliot Parish: Bristol City sign ex-Cardiff goalkeeper |date=26 July 2013 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=29 July 2013 }}
Parish made his debut for Bristol City on 27 August in a 2–1 League Cup win over Premier League club Crystal Palace.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23764016 |title=Bristol City 2–1 Crystal Palace |last=Chapman |first=Caroline |date=27 August 2013 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=23 July 2015 }} After making 19 league outings and becoming a regular starter, Parish found himself out of favour following the loan arrival of Simon Moore from Cardiff.{{cite news |date=10 February 2014 |title=BREAKING NEWS: Bristol City goalkeeper Elliott Parish joins Newport County on loan |url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/BREAKING-NEWS-Bristol-City-goalkeeper-Elliott/story-20597381-detail/story.html |newspaper=Bristol Post |location=Bristol |access-date=23 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724032817/http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/BREAKING-NEWS-Bristol-City-goalkeeper-Elliott/story-20597381-detail/story.html |archive-date=24 July 2015 |url-status=dead }}
==Newport County loan==
Parish joined League Two side Newport County in an emergency loan deal on 10 February 2014, making his debut on 15 February in a 3–0 defeat at Hartlepool United.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26095018 |title=Hartlepool 3–0 Newport |date=15 February 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=23 July 2015 }} After the clubs had initially agreed to extend Parish's loan spell, Newport decided to not exercise an extension and Parish returned to his parent club on 10 March after making seven appearances.{{cite news |date=10 March 2014 |title=Elliott Parishback with Bristol City after Newport County deal falls flat |url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Elliott-Parish-Bristol-City-Newport-County-deal/story-20788613-detail/story.html |newspaper=Bristol Post |location=Bristol |access-date=23 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724044331/http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Elliott-Parish-Bristol-City-Newport-County-deal/story-20788613-detail/story.html |archive-date=24 July 2015 |url-status=dead }}
=Blackpool=
On 7 August 2014, Championship side Blackpool signed Parish on a free transfer from Bristol City. He became the club's twelfth summer signing, joining on a one-year deal with the option of a further 12-months.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28697849 |title=Elliot Parish: Blackpool sign Bristol City goalkeeper |date=7 August 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=23 July 2015 }} He made his debut on 3 October, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 win over his former club Cardiff, Blackpool's first win of the season.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29372868 |title=Blackpool 1–0 Cardiff |date=3 October 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=23 July 2015 }} After Blackpool were relegated from the Championship at the end of the season, Parish was released after making only 13 appearances all season.{{cite news |last1=Watt |first1=William |date=19 May 2015 |title=Pool left with a few inexperienced players and no keeper ...sound familiar? |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/blackpool-fc/pool-left-with-a-few-inexperienced-players-and-no-keeper-sound-familiar-1-7267507 |newspaper=The Gazette |location=Blackpool |access-date=23 July 2015 }}
=Colchester United=
Parish joined League One side Colchester United on trial in July 2015 in a bid to gain fitness and earn a contract. He joined the club following an injury to first-choice goalkeeper Sam Walker that ruled him out of the early stages of pre-season.{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |date=13 July 2015 |title=Former Blackpool keeper Parish training with U's |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/13408884.Former_Blackpool_keeper_Parish_training_with_U_s/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=23 July 2015 }} After playing in all four of Colchester's pre-season friendlies, including 90-minutes during a 1–0 win against West Ham United, Parish signed a one-year deal with the club on 23 July.{{cite news |last1=Plummer |first1=Matt |date=23 July 2015 |title=Goalkeeper Parish signs a one-year deal with the U's |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/13495332.Goalkeeper_Parish_signs_a_one_year_deal_with_the_U_s/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=23 July 2015 }} He made his debut on the opening day of the season against his former club Blackpool, conceding two goals as Colchester were held to a 2–2 draw at the Colchester Community Stadium.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33744297 |title=Colchester 2–2 Blackpool |date=8 August 2015 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=8 August 2015 }}
In Walker's absence, Parish established himself as Colchester's first-choice goalkeeper in the latter stages of the season as he went on to make 28 appearances for the club.{{Soccerbase season|49362|2015|name=Elliot Parish|access-date=24 July 2015}} However, at the end of the campaign, it was announced that Parish had not been offered a new contract by Colchester.{{cite web |url=http://www.cu-fc.com/news/article/colchester-united-2015-16-retained-list-3121083.aspx? |title=U's Retained List |last=Hudson |first=Matt |date=20 May 2016 |publisher=Colchester United FC |access-date=20 May 2016 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36347391 |title=Colchester United: Joe Edwards and Nicky Shorey among nine to depart |date=20 May 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=20 May 2016 }}
=Accrington Stanley=
After leaving Colchester, Parish signed for League Two rivals Accrington Stanley on a one-year contract in June 2016.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36587570 |title=Elliot Parish: Goalkeeper joins Accrington Stanley after release from Colchester |date=21 June 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=21 June 2016 }}
=Dundee=
Parish signed a one-year contract with Scottish Premiership club Dundee in July 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40675894 |title=Dundee: goalkeeper Elliot Parish joins club from Accrington Stanley |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=20 July 2017 |access-date=20 July 2017}} He made his debut on 4 November 2017, in a 2–1 defeat away to Hibernian.{{cite web|title=Hibernian 2–1 Dundee|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41785737|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Barnes|first=John|date=4 November 2017|access-date=5 November 2017}} On 6 May 2018, Parish signed a new contract, keeping him at Dens Park for another year.{{cite web|title=Elliott contract extended|url=https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/elliott-contract-extended/|publisher=Dundee F.C.|date=6 May 2018|access-date=13 May 2018}} He left the club at the end of his contract.{{cite web|title=14 players exit Dundee after relegation|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48337432|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 May 2019}}
=St Johnstone=
On 20 June 2019, Parish signed for St Johnstone on a two-year contract.{{cite web|title=St Johnstone sign up goalkeeper Elliott Parish|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48707493|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 June 2019|access-date=20 June 2019}} Parish would win both the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup with the Saintees, and later moved into the role of first-team goalkeeping coach before departing the club in 2023.{{Cite web |title=Elliott Parish Departs |url=https://www.perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk/news/article/elliott-parish-departs |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=St Johnstone Football Club |language=en}}
Coaching career
= Atlanta United =
On 10 January 2025, Parish was announced as the new goalkeeping coach of Major League Soccer club Atlanta United under new manager Ronny Deila.{{Cite web |last=atlutd |title=Atlanta United announces head coach Ronny Deila’s technical staff for 2025 {{!}} Atlanta United FC |url=https://www.atlutd.com/news/atlanta-united-announces-head-coach-ronny-deila-assistant-coaches-technical-staff-2025 |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=atlutd |language=en}}
International career
Parish represented England at under-20 level. He made his debut during the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt, playing in each group stage match for England as they crashed out of the competition without a win in three games. Despite their failure to progress, Parish impressed coach Brian Eastick with his performances, with Eastick saying that Parish had "come in and acquitted himself really well in the three games he's played".{{cite news |last1=Kendrick |first1=Mat |date=12 October 2009 |title=Aston Villa youth keeper Elliot Parish earns England U-20s praise |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-youth-keeper-elliot-105546 |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |location=Birmingham |access-date=24 July 2015 }}
Career statistics
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
Aston Villa U18
St Johnstone
- Scottish Cup: 2020–21{{Cite web|last=Lindsay|first=Clive|date=22 May 2021|title=Perth side complete domestic cup double|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57125203|url-status=live|access-date=22 May 2021|website=BBC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522082112/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57125203 |archive-date=22 May 2021 }}
- Scottish League Cup: 2020–21{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56217717|title=St Johnstone beat Livingston to clinch their first League Cup|publisher=BBC|accessdate=28 February 2021|date=28 February 2021}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Soccerbase|49362}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Parish, Elliot}}
Category:Sportspeople from Towcester
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:Aston Villa F.C. players
Category:Lincoln City F.C. players
Category:Cardiff City F.C. players
Category:Wycombe Wanderers F.C. players
Category:Bristol City F.C. players
Category:Newport County A.F.C. players
Category:Blackpool F.C. players
Category:Colchester United F.C. players
Category:Accrington Stanley F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:St Johnstone F.C. players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:Footballers from Northamptonshire