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SCOTT PARKER is becoming known as the Championship’s version of Captain Kirk.
The Burnley boss takes his team to Luton tonight chasing his third straight promotion to the Premier League.
And — having previously taken Fulham and Bournemouth up at the first attempt — he is becoming known as “Beam Me Up, Scotty.”
Even the Starship Enterprise’s Kirk would be hard pressed to navigate the Championship cosmos as impressively as Parker.
But the 43-year-old then failed to keep the Cottagers in the top flight and was sacked by the Cherries after just four Prem games.
Yet the former Spurs, Newcastle, West Ham and England star insists he is more than a Championship specialist.
Parker told SunSport: “I’ve had one full season in the Premier League.
“And you must put things into context with that Fulham team when you consider the finances we had and how we recruited to give ourselves a fighting chance.
“The next time I was in the Premier League I had four games. We beat Aston Villa in the opener but then played Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal!
“There’s a narrative around me that I’m a Championship manager.
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“I see it differently. The world misses context. You’re talking about going up against teams that have been in the Premier League for years, with finances and backing of building squads over time. It’s difficult for teams coming up from the Championship.
“Of course, it’s not impossible to succeed — but there’s a huge challenge there which I’m sure everyone can recognise.
“Planning and trying to do so in the right way, whether that’s recruitment or club development, narrows that gap for sure.
“You’re up against teams better than you and trying to go toe to toe in certain moments. It’s hard.”
All three clubs that went up from the Championship two seasons ago — Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton — all crashed back down this summer.
Yet ex-Clarets boss Vincent Kompany landed a marquee job by being appointed at Bayern Munich while Rob Edwards was being touted as a contender for manager of the season had he managed to keep the Hatters up.
The fact is if you stay in the Premier League, it’s amazing. If you don’t, you’re a Championship manager. It’s a massive challenge for all of us.
Scott Parker
The big flavour of the month is Kieran McKenna at Ipswich, who was linked with Manchester United this summer, while Enzo Maresca was rewarded for taking Leicester up with the biggest finances in Championship history by landing the Chelsea job.
And meanwhile Russell Martin is highly thought off after taking Southampton back into the Premier League.
Parker said: “The fact is if you stay in the Premier League, it’s amazing. If you don’t, you’re a Championship manager. It’s a massive challenge for all of us.”
Burnley romped to the Championship title with 101 points two years ago — and are among the bookies favourites to triumph again.
And the fact the Clarets have managed to keep pretty much most of their team together, they stand a good chance — especially with Parker’s knowhow of the second tier.
He said: “I understand this league and what it’s all about. It’s tough and intense. With a bit of knowledge and experience behind me, I know what’s needed to be successful.
“And we’ve a good, big squad with players who’ve been here two years ago and been around a successful Championship campaign and understand it.
“Also we’ve got some youngsters with good potential who’ve not experienced this division — and it’s so exciting to be working with them.”
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Parker also managed Club Brugge but only lasted 10 weeks after being sacked following just two wins out of 12 at the Belgian side.
And he took 16 months out of the game to reflect on his managerial career to date before taking up the Burnley challenge with a point to prove.
He said: “It was the first time I’d been off the treadmill in football. When I retired from playing at Fulham, I went straight into coaching and before I knew it was thrust into management trying to keep the club in the Premier League for the last 10 games.
“And the journey has been cranked every season, whether I need to get promotion or stay in the Premier League. It’s been a whirlwind — but I’ve had huge success.
“After Brugge, where I didn’t get much time, I turned down a few opportunities because it was a chance to restock and get off the treadmill, reflect and see things a little clearer.
“When you sit and you’re a manager in certain moments, you’re on it. You don’t come up to breathe. So it was time to work out where to improve things or areas where I’m strong.
The next time I was in the Premier League I had four games. We beat Aston Villa in the opener but then played Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal!
Scott Parker
“Now I’m recharged and ready for this challenge at Burnley.”
Parker has already endeared himself to all the staff at Burnley.
The first thing he did when arriving in Lancashire was to ask to go to Turf Moor and meet everyone.
It was expected that he wanted to go and meet people in the high echelons at the club — but he insisted on seeing EVERYONE.
Even staff working in the ticket office and financial department were met by Parker.
And Clarets sources say he has brought an extra buoyancy to the club — which has been much needed after the disappointment of relegation.
Parker said: “It’s great to be here — and I can’t wait to get started and develop this team.”
This is the third time Parker has been up north. During his playing career, he spent two seasons at Newcastle — but was quick to remind me that he left home aged 14 to go to the FA’s now-defunct national School of Excellent at Lilleshall.
And he said: “From the minute I walked into this club it’s been the people I’ve liked the most, the way they are. There is a softness, there is a warmth and it’s made it easy for me.
“I’ve also been out and about in terms of being local and seeing the people as well. They’ve been superb. It was great to be around the fans. warm people who want the best.
“I can guarantee, we’ll do everything in our power to try to make it successful this year and it won’t be because we haven’t worked hard enough or left any stone unturned.”
