Veteran forward Bernard Parker will walk into the 2023/24 with wide smiles at TS Galaxy he completes a rare milestone.
Parker has returned for pre-season at TS Galaxy for the second season on the two-year contract that he signed upon joining at the beginning of last season after his departure from Kaizer Chiefs.
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'Die Hond' spent 11 years rising to become AmaKhosi's all-time top scorer in the PSL era years.
Though he once endured a spell stretching 61 games without scoring at Chiefs, Parker ultimately went out with 62 goals making him the top scorer since domestic football was restructured and rebranded into the PSL in August 1996.
While his time and contribution at Chiefs earned him legendary status, Parker is also on the way to breaking barriers as a professional footballer.
The 2023/24 campaign will be the 20th season that the lad from Reiger Park has spent playing professional football.
Parker broke through at Benoni Premier United in the 2004/05 season playing with July Mahlangu, Lawrence Masegela, Tsepo Masilela, Thapelo Yawa, Tshepo Mashishi amongst others.
The teenage star had 16 appearances in that Mvela Golden League season as Benoni reached the Platinum Play-Offs final which they lost to Tembisa Classic.
Then, the following season Parker scored 10 goals in 31 appearances as Benoni won promotion to the top league.
Since then, Parker has grown from a boy into a respected footballer in the domestic ranks moving from Benoni to Thanda Royal Zulu, Red Star Belgrade in Serbia, FC Twente in Holland, Greek club Panserraikos before landing at Chiefs.
With South African football pregnant with cases of inconsistency and careers that only last 'as long as the taste of chewing gum', Parker's achievement deserves due recognition.
Parker has also earned 72 Bafana Bafana caps along the way.
At TS Galaxy, the 37-year-old has the longest-serving member of the domestic game as a teammate in Vuyo Mere.
Mere is into his 23rd consecutive season playing professional football in South Africa.
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