The club announced the news on the official site yesterday, revealing that – even despite a successful season last term with League Two rivals,
Parkinson – who begun his career on Merseyside with Tranmere – agreed to join the Magpies on a Bosman free transfer following his contract's expiry at the end of last season, with Thompson fighting-off stiff competition from a number of League Two clubs for the player's signature.
The fleet-footed winger originally joined the Magpies for a one-month loan spell under Gary Mills in January 2004, before being recalled by his former boss Neil Warnock. Although, after a short stint away, the success of Parkinson's initial spell earned him a further two-month extension, during which time Parkinson made ten starts, scoring three goals as the Magpies were relegated.
Following his release from Neil Warnock's Sheffield United, however, Mills was unable to lure Parkinson back, with Parkinson instead opted for a move to Grimsby Town, where he would help thrust the Mariners to a fourth place finish last term, narrowly missing out on the play-offs.
He also finished top ‘scorer with the Mariners in his first season there, bagging nine goals.
But despite narrowly missing out on promotion with
“I'm really glad to be back; I had two loan spells here just over two years ago and I'm delighted to be back here permanently,” said Parkinson, speaking to the club's official site yesterday.
"I had three or four offers from Clubs in this Division, but coming to
“The set-up is good and we have a lovely ground here, and I liked what the Manager had to say. I know he is a new Manager just coming in, but he has big ideas for the Club and I think the future looks promising.
"I will play anywhere in the attacking half of the pitch, as people will know from my previous spell here. I spoke to the Manager here and he wants me to attack and use my strengths, and hopefully over the course of the season score and create plenty of goals.”
“I want to be part of a team challenging for promotion and the Manager seems to think that is possible.”
The signing of the originally-nicknamed ‘Parky', of course, becomes Thompson's eighth signing since his appointment just over a week ago, following the captures of youngsters Gary Silk and Stephen Hunt earlier in the week.
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