Charlton Athletic's England Under 21 international midfielder Scott Parker joined the Canaries on loan at the end of October 2000. It is believed that the move was to grant Scott some first team experience rather than prepare him for a move to Carrow Road. Scott is a graduate of Lilleshall and had made 22 league appearances for the Addicks by the time of his move. He made enough appearances that previous season to win a Division One Championship medal.

Although Scott impressed the Norwich supporters, it was unlikely that Charlton would allow a player of his talent to leave their club. Although a second month's loan was agreed, Scott was recalled to Charlton on the last day of November 2000. Scott first came to footballing fame when his ball skills as a 13 year old were used in an advert for McDonalds during the 1994 World Cup campaign even though he alleges he never got any free burgers out of it. The ad brought attention from his favourite club Spurs but Scott opted to stay with Charlton.

Scott has since been linked with £1million moves to both Wimbledon and Ipswich but has established himself as a regular in Charlton's first-team making 20 appearances in 2000/01 after his return from Carrow Road

Scott's performance for Charlton has won rave reviews during 2002/03 and he was called up for the England squad to face Australia on February 12th 2003. He was one of few players not to get any action in that game.

At the end of 2002/03 season, media speculation linked with a move across London to join Spurs. Tottenham offered £1million plus Matthew Etherington which was rejected by Charlton. Responding to media reports that Chelsea, Everton and Spurs were all preparing £4.5million bids for Parker, Charlton announced at the end of June 2003 that they had not received a single inquiry as to Parker's availability. Middlesbrough then tested Charlton's nerve with a £6million bid if you believe the media. However Scott opted to stay with the Addicks signing a new contract. In October 2003, rumours suggested that big-spending Chelsea were preparing a £5million bid for Parker. Everton manager David Moyes is also rumoured to be keen on Parker and is said to be preparing a bid in the January transfer window.

Parker's fine form for Charlton during the autumn of 2003 earned him a call-up to the England squad for the November friendly against Denmark. "I'm in a position where there are so many good players. It's going to be difficult for me, and it will be harder because I play at Charlton," Parker said. "Frank Lampard has worked so hard and, despite everything going on at Chelsea, has still been in the team. I think of him as having a similar game to mine. It was a brilliant experience being in the squad for Australia, but I am used to biding my time. If I keep playing well, maybe I have a realistic chance of going to Portugal." Parker admitted that he had hugely benefitted from his time at Carrow Road, having learnt a lot by switching from reserve team football to playing for a struggling side. Scott indeed won his first cap against the Danes. Transfer speculation the following month saw a suggestion that Scott would head to Old Trafford with Nicky Butt and £10m heading to the Valley.

January 2004 saw fresh transfer speculation with Chelsea said to have made a bid on 13th January but that was rejected by Charlton. Supposedly Parker was wanted as cover for injured midfielders Cole and Veron. A second bid of £7.5m was rejected on 20th January 2004 as Charlton demanded at first £10million, and then when Chelsea showed a willingness to pay that. they upped the price to £12million. Eventually the Blues had their way and Parker completed a £10million move on 30th January 2004.

Scott was named English Young Player of the Year for 2004 on April 25th 2004

Unhappy at being unable to make a regular first team spot under new manager Jose Mourinho, Scott was told that he could return to Charlton during the January 2005 transfer window, if you believe reports in The Sun (October 1st 2004). Everton were also said to have made him a transfer priority whilst Wigan were rumoured to have enquired about bringing him to the Latics on loan. The Everton link resurfaced on 24th October 2004 with Parker said to be, according to the People, on David Moyes' hit list along with Louis Saha (Manchester United), James Beattie (Southampton), Michael Dawson (Notts Forest) and Robbie Savage (Birmingham). However Spanish sides Athletico Madrid and Valencia have also been linked with Parker, the latter coached by his former Chelsea manaer Claudio Ranieri. Lazio were also linked by the News of the World on 24th October 2004 as Parker's former Charlton teammate Paolo Di Canio plays for Lazio and has allegedly recommended Parker to them. Liverpool were also linked to Parker that day by other media sources whilst Arsenal were said to be preparing a £5million swoop. Speculation linking Scott with a move to Gooidson Park resurfaced in January 2005 when it appeared that Everton midfielder Thomas Graveson was likely to sign for Real Madrid.

On 11th March 2005, the Daily Star reported that both Birmingham and Aston Villa were keen to sign Parker during the summer of 2005. Everton were the next club to be linked - speculation in May 2005 suggesting that they would spend £9m to bring both Parker and Chelsea teammate Forsell to Goodison Park. In the end, Newcastle stepped in and won Parker's signature for £6.5m on 15th June 2005.

He replaced Alan Shearer as Newcastle's captain in August 2006.

On 15th May 2007,the Daily Star speculated that Scott would return to London to join West Ham in an £8m transfer. This materialised on 6th June 2007 but at £7m. Parker signed a five year contract with the Hammers.

PLAYING CAREER

Club	Season	League		Cup		Europe		Total
		Appearances	Goals	Appearances	Goals	Appearances	Goals	Appearances	Goals
Charlton	1997/98							0	0
	1998/99			1				1	0
	1999/00	5	1	1				6	1
Norwich	2000/01	6	1					6	1
Charlton	2000/01	15	1	4	0			19	1
	2001/02	36	1	3	0			39	1
	2002/03	28	4	1	0			29	4
	2003/04	20	2	2	1			22	3
Chelsea	2003/04	7	1	1	0	4	0	12	1
	2004/5	1	0	3	0	3	0	7	0
Newcastle	2005/6	26	1	5	1	4	0	35	2
	2006/7	29	3	2	0	10	0	41	3
West Ham United	2007/8