Jon began his career with his hometown club, Barnsley. He made his debut as a 17 year-old against Huddersfield Town in the First Division in April 1999, so becoming the first player to progress from the Tykes academy to their first team. His Oakwell experience was to extend up to only 13 games though before his career was to become intrinsically linked with Hull City managers, past and present.<\/P>
After a brief loan spell at Hartlepool United, it was Terry Dolan who took Jon to York City in February 2002. Terry usually used big Jon's height and strength in a central defensive role but he was still able to net 15 goals in his 78 appearances for the Minstermen.<\/P>
After almost exactly two years at Bootham Crescent, Jon moved to Macclesfield Town on a free transfer although an agreed sell-on clause means that York will receive a percentage of the fee that has brought his services back to the east of the Pennines.<\/P>
A matter of weeks after his arrival at Moss Rose, former Tigers chief Brian Horton took over as manager and successfully steered the Silkmen away from relegation to the Conference.<\/P>
Now fully installed in his preferred striking role, Jon had a superb season in 2004-05 when he scored 26 goals, including 22 in League Two - a new league record for the Cheshire outfit.<\/P>
As at York, his Macc stint was to end after 78 games but this time with 36 goals. His career total was 51 goals in 170 appearances prior to his KC arrival.<\/P>
Jon got off to a promising start in East Yorkshire with a debut goal against Crystal Palace and 'The Beast' (a nickname he was given by Brian Horton) soon became a cult hero at the KC Stadium.<\/SPAN><\/P> He instantly passed into Tigers folklore with the towering header that brought the winner against <\/SPAN>Yorkshire<\/SPAN> rivals Leeds United in April to move City within sight of Championship survival. <\/SPAN><\/P>","784E2315886D4158FF9CFFE843FE6B59":"","3D0C18FC6E83B9810B0FAD6BF04C7B64":"2016-11-30","781CC09C30E6A152":"1","805ACE40479B6E763FB50E182B20A495":"1981-12-30","70545F9392E8422F11E2D5550E456F39":"Newport County","38882684D19FD665":"Jonathan Parkin","722D75C33935B48A":"85kg","5588923A723573201F6804A11C3F390A":"999","F4645409D3EE42C9":"1431","FCD4DE51CBA4497A941CDE925DCB26D2":"England","4CC9C981935F4DF5":"York City","e_index":8};