He joined the Coventry Bees in 1929, becoming the team captain, and joined Clapton for the new National League in 1932, topping the rider averages in 1933. He then captained the Southampton Saints, before moving on to captain the Harringay Racers, where he was re-united with his brother Norman, who had ridden with him at Coventry. He won the Star Championship in 1934

After the war Parker spent much of his career with the Belle Vue Aces. He was the 1947 British Champion and finished second in the Speedway World Championships in 1949.

Though an outstanding performer, he never won a world title. He was, however, described as the 'champion of champions' and was possibly the most charismatic English speedway rider in the history of the sport. The quintessential team captain - for England (he rode in 96 tests for his country) and his clubs. He led numerous international tours to Australia and was renowned for his dominance in match races, holding the British Match Race Championship Golden Helmet for so long in the late 1940s that it became known as 'Parker's Pension'.

He remained involved with the sport in various capacities and died in 1990 at the age of 84.

Click here to read more of his career [www.motorsport-fanatic.co.uk/speedway-parker.htm]