Jon Parkin, nicknamed “The Beast,” was a powerful 6ft 4in striker who earned cult hero status across a 21-year career (1998–2019). Renowned for his imposing frame and sharp finishing, he scored over 220 goals for 14 different clubs. He broke through at Barnsley and York City before prolific spells at Macclesfield Town, Hull City, and Stoke City, helping the latter win promotion to the Premier League in 2008. His most iconic years came at Preston North End, followed by stints at Cardiff City, Fleetwood Town, and Forest Green Rovers. He retired in 2019 after returning to York City, where he won the FA Trophy at Wembley.

Transitioning seamlessly into media, Parkin co-founded the wildly popular podcast Undr the Cosh in 2019 alongside Chris Brown. The award-winning show has gained millions of downloads by uncovering raw, humorous, and honest behind-the-scenes stories from former players. He also authored a candid autobiography, Feed the Beast, documenting his football antics and mental health battles