Keigan is smiles ahead of the rest

ATHLETIC summer signing Keigan Parker has plenty to smile about on an off the pitch.

The 27-year-old striker’s talents are not confined to the football field where he has an eye for a spectacular goal.

Parker is also an entrepreneur, achieving success in business as a partner in Dentawhite, the largest teeth-whitening company in Scotland.

Former Scotland under-21 international Parker took a stake in a friend’s business six years ago and the firm now has 87 salons throughout Britain.

And when he eventually retires, Parker says he intends to have more of a hands-on role in the running of the company.

Parker said: “I only play a small part at the moment, but it is good to have something on the back burner as you never know what might happen in football.

“It is also good to have something to put my thoughts into because in football you only train a couple of hours each day.

“Unless you are at the top of your profession and make a lot of money, you need something else to fall back on when you finish playing.

“You have to look ahead because football is only a short career.”

The resourceful Parker also deals in second-hand motor vehicles.

As cars are one of his passions, he combines business with pleasure by scouring auctions in search of bargains.

Parker is enjoying his time at Boundary Park, especially now he is among the goals.

He had to wait until mid-September before opening his account against Carlisle and that was followed by a spectacular strike against MK Dons.

Parker said he had not been worried by Athletic’s disappointing start to the season, even though they found themselves in the bottom four.

He said: “There is an old cliche about there being a fine line between success and failure in football.

“And this division is so tight that if you win three or four games you can find yourself in the play-off places, whereas if you lose three or four you can be near the foot of the table.”

Parker knew it was going to take time for Athletic to click following so many summer signings as manager Dave Penney completely revamped his team.

But he says things are coming together and their performance against MK Dons was their best so far, underlining the great spirit and sense of togetherness at the club.

Parker is enjoying playing alongside Pawel Abbott in a little-and-large partnership.

“Pawel has a good touch for a big man and he also provides a physical presence. I scored against MK Dons, but he did a lot of the work for me.”

Parker was glad of his move from Huddersfield to Boundary Park.

“It has been brilliant because I was not getting a look-in at Huddersfield which was disappointing as I left Blackpool in the Championship to join them.

“I could have signed a new contract at Blackpool, but I decided I wanted a new challenge.

“Huddersfield are a big club with big crowds and for different reasons, including a change of manager, I wasn’t playing as much as I needed to do.

“That is in the past and I hope I can push on and prove I can be an asset here.

“I want to get my career back on track which I feel I have done over the last few weeks.

“I still feel I have some way to go to find my best form, but I am starting to show glimpses of it.”