Ex-Premier League footballer, 43, leads groups onto pitch as mascot at non-league recreation

Jon Parkin made a surprise appearance for Dorking Wanderers on Saturday, but it was not a playing comeback for the 43-year-old former Premier League striker

Former journeyman striker Jon Parkin caused fans to do a double-take when he walked out as a mascot in full Dorking Wanderers kit on Saturday.

The non-league team, celebrating their 1000th game, suffered a 3-1 defeat to Weston Super-Mare, which harmed their push for promotion back to the National League. Founded in 1999, Dorking’s impressive rise through the leagues has been spearheaded by Marc White, who juggles the roles of manager and chairman. Currently in the play-off places and chasing top spot in the National League South, the Wanderers’ success deserves applause.

Yet, it was an unexpected cameo from ex-Stoke City and Preston big man Parkin, now 43, that stole the spotlight at Meadowbank. Parkin was snapped linking hands with skipper Charlie Carter as they entered the pitch, and his presence caught more than a few supporters off guard.

The Undr the Cosh podcast, which Parkin presents, shared a snapshot of their co-host in the Dorking kit, quipping: “Something familiar about today’s @DorkingWDRS mascot.” Parkin excelled in non-league during his career, prompting the National League’s official X account to write: “Jon Parkin back in the National League. You love to see it.”

Upon seeing Parkin walk onto the pitch, one fan admitted: “Thought he was rolling back the years at first,” while another chipped in, saying the striker could “still do a job.” The nostalgia continued to flow as a third added: “Probably try and bring him on. Comfy bag a brace and be the best player in the side even now.” Sensing Parkin had been pranked, a fourth fan said, “Stitched him a treat.”

Dubbed ‘The Beast’, Parkin banged in more than 200 goals across his long career before retiring in 2019. His journey took him from the sixth tier to Premier League promotion with Stoke City. Although he never graced the top-flight, Parkin was in his prime at promotion hopefuls Preston and was also a goal machine for Macclesfield Town, Forest Green Rovers, and York City.

Parkin was a force to be reckoned with in his heyday, famously snubbing club diet plans for hearty fry-ups and Greggs orders while still giving defenders a tough time—all without ever lifting weights. His stint at Stoke featured a wild golf buggy crash, but it didn’t stop him from facing off against Real Madrid in a pre-season game, where he swapped shirts with football royalty in 2007.

“After the game I asked for Fabio Cannavaro’s shirt and he gave it me. I thought that was that,” Parkin said to BBC Sport in 2018. “Then he tapped me on the shoulder and obviously couldn’t speak English but gestured at my shirt and I was like ‘What?! You want this?’

“He nodded and I’m thinking ‘Why on earth does he want this? ‘ He’s won the World Cup and I can imagine he’s got shirts from everybody and anybody and he’s asked for my quadruple XL Stoke shirt.”