Pools centre-back Tom Parkes is reaching a special milestone, with the 32-year-old just three games away from hitting 500 career appearances.
It’s nearly 15 years on from the defender’s senior debut on loan at Burton Albion, and Parkes explains he can look back on his experienced career to date with pride.
“I’m really proud to be reaching that figure,” he stated.
“To look and say I’ve played 500 games – I’m amazed but also very happy.
“When you’re younger, it’s harder to understand what you can actually achieve in football. Now that I’ve played so many games and been involved in a range of experiences, it’s something I take a lot of pride in.
“The milestones are great but for me, it’s about building on that. Hopefully I can get to 600 soon and reach as many achievements as I can.
“I’m proud that I’ve gotten this far in my career and I feel as though there’s plenty left in me.”
Parkes’ first adventure into football came with Leicester City as a youngster, and making it a career was always the vision for the centre-back.
“I started playing football when I was young,” he explained.
“I joined Leicester City when I was nine or ten, then I went through the ranks before becoming a scholar and getting a professional contract.
“I always wanted to be a footballer, it’s all I’ve ever known. Very few academy players actually go onto make a career out of it so I knew it was going to be tough.
“I worked really hard when I was younger and I was supported by my family. To see where I am in my career now, I’ve got a lot to thank them for.”
The defender has played for Bristol Rovers, Leyton Orient, Carlisle United, Exeter City and Livingston during his successful career.
It was that spell at Bristol where Parkes, having just turned 20, made his name.
He played 191 times across a four-year stint which saw relegation to the National League, before Parkes captained the Gas to back-to-back promotions to League One.
“I’ve enjoyed every minute I’ve had at every club,” he said.
“At Bristol Rovers, we had a tough year getting relegated, but being able to bounce back with successive promotions was a fantastic achievement.
“At every other club I’ve been at, I’ve worked as hard as possible and can look back with pride.
“There will be little regrets here and there, but I’ve learned from them and it’s moulded me into the person I am today.”
Having arrived at Hartlepool in January, Parkes is approaching one year at the Prestige Group Stadium.
He’s made 25 appearances in that time, and is looking forward to more in the blue and white.
“I’ve enjoyed every minute that I’ve been here,” he said.
“It’s a great group of lads and it’s a very enjoyable dressing room to be a part of.
“There have been ups and downs, but we’re trying our hardest and over the last few games we’ve started to click.
“We’ve got to make our home ground a hard place for teams to come to. The Aldershot performance was our best of the season so hopefully we can continue in that vein.”
This interview first featured in our matchday programme against Eastleigh on November 16.
