Kiwi Players Elsewhere

Owen Parker-Price (Orgryte IS | Sweden)

75 replies · 5,890 views
02 Oct 12:33 · edited 02 Oct 12:39 · History
More from Niche Cache.
You feel he's very much an Ole Academy (Declan years) sort of player.

Should go alright in AWs camp alongside Thomas and Stamenic. Plus Just & McCowatt.

Owen Parker-Price: “It's been a different route here for me. I have played in division 3, division 2, division 1, and the Super League. I've played in parking lots and dirt tracks. It has been a beautiful journey. One day I might write a book about it so people can read about everything.

I came here as a 20-year-old boy who didn't know what I was doing. After a couple of years I realized I was on the other side of the world without my friends, but now I have lots of ties here and really feel at home. Everyone evolves at different tempos. I always knew I had it in me. For me, it was always about my body developing, and being able to use the body in the best way. I have put in lots of jobs and am very grateful for this trip. I wouldn’t change it, but it has been different.”

As for being selected for the All Whites...
“lt'll be fun. I am very excited. It means a lot. Very. To me it shows what I have done and what people around me have done for me. It's special. Getting to play for your country is cool.”

There’s a very good chance that Parker-Price is playing Allsvenskan football next year. There’s also a better than decent chance that he’s picked for a World Cup next year.  
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02 Oct 15:22
Looks like OPP has grown taller though from looking at photos compared to ISPS days. Still pin sized but looks like a late growth spurt has got him into the 5’8 ball park. 

Either way I think he’s a great shout to be in the 26 man World Cup squad. Especially if he’s playing in the Allsvenskan next season. 


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06 Oct 20:42 · edited 06 Oct 20:47 · History
Full game and a yellow for OPP in a 1-1 draw.

Orgryte (1st on GD) lead Kalmar (2nd) and Vasteras SK (3rd, 2 pts back) in a tight 3 way battle for the two automatic promotion spots

4 matches left.

OPP the short trip to Poland for a potential AWs debut
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10 Oct 06:02 · edited 10 Oct 06:08 · History
Awesome article on Parker-Price here (in Swedish).

Some notable points:

  • Örgryte tried to sign him last year, but OPP decided to stay with Torslanda to develop further, believing he wasn't ready; the club were desperate though, and a year later he acquiesced, feeling it was the right time
  • Örgryte manager Andreas Holmberg said he was amazed nobody picked Parker-Price up, saying it made him "doubt Swedish football". He posits his size may have worked against him in this regard but calls him "amazing"
  • Experienced Örgryte winger and former Sweden/Ajax player Tobias Sana echoed this sentiment, saying "he's absolutely incredible", "I'm glad he's on our team", and "it's unbelievable no one had picked him up"
  • Nobody at Örgryte expected him to make the instant impact he has; seems he'll be a key player for their Allsvenskan promotion run. For what it's worth, the article (dated 30 Sep) says he's been "dominating" at Örgryte
AV - you must be feeling pretty vindicated eh?
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10 Oct 06:08
It's a wonder Declan didn't push him earlier, to try a higher level than Torslanda. 

Edge in the past has never been shy to promote his players, and him and OPP go back probably close to 10 years together now. The Mad Hatter would know Parker-Price's game inside out.
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10 Oct 06:54
So glad he’s not one that went on to fall through the cracks!! 

It’s easy to forget that 7-8 years ago he was paving the way at Ole for the likes of Stamenic, Garbett, Just, McCowatt etc. 

It’s quite some storyline for him if his club go up to Allsvenskan next season, he has the potential to probably lock down one of the starting spots by the sounds of things. 

No one is touching that Stamenic/Thomas combo unless Bell is thrown in to form a 3. 

But he can certainly make some noise to be the 4th/5th choice behind those 3 and Singh included. Rufer will be eager to start the season strong. 


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11 Oct 08:13
Where is he realistically on the pecking order? Surely no more then a squad filler like Smith, De Jong, LKH etc.
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites

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11 Oct 08:33
Way too early to say where OPP's ceiling might be.
He's literally played only half a dozen games for Orgryte, but earning high praise already.

Seems that he could at 26 be a real late bloomer, who's early career to date maybe was held back by his small size. So he had to learn and mature on how to use his small body over time for the physical battles.

He's got the technical skills to hopefully offer quite a bit for the AWs. A more than useful backup to the likes of Thomas & Singh.
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11 Oct 08:34
Central Midfielders:
1. Thomas
2. Stamenic
3. Bell
4. Rufer
5. OPP

Attacking Midfielders:
1. McCowatt
2. Just
3. Singh
4. Garbett
5. Old
6. OPP

You can shuffle the others around the pecking order, but OPP probably sits around 5/6th in line for the midfield roles (depending on formation).

A good season could get him above Rufer in CM/DM, and the attack is anyone’s game really.
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11 Oct 09:25
Stamenic No1 for me.

As good as Thomas has been on his return he dosent have the same physical capability of a Stamenic in the middle nor the athleticism. Similar in technical ability but obviously Thomas is the more creative one from the deeper position. I think they’re the perfect combo for each other

Thomas does tend to also have a few lazy passes when he begins to fatigue too during games (totally understandable). 

In regards to OPP I think he’s battling for that 4th option with Rufer in the DMs. Rufer’s physical presence gives him the nudge for now but other than that I think OPP can better him in other categories.

It all depends on if Bell, Stamenić, Thomas and Singh are all starters together at some point. I do think OPP and Rufer will both be on the plane to the US though if there is 26 man squads.

OPP potentially playing in the Allsvenskan next season and looking like a key player for Orgryte will give him a big edge over Rufer. 
Friar Tuck
Central Midfielders:
1. Thomas
2. Stamenic
3. Bell
4. Rufer
5. OPP

Attacking Midfielders:
1. McCowatt
2. Just
3. Singh
4. Garbett
5. Old
6. OPP

You can shuffle the others around the pecking order, but OPP probably sits around 5/6th in line for the midfield roles (depending on formation).

A good season could get him above Rufer in CM/DM, and the attack is anyone’s game really.
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11 Oct 21:27
From that list OLD hasn't done much lately...  especially at international level.
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12 Oct 01:32
Agreed. I got rinsed on another thread by someone a while ago when I said his size dosent do him any favours. 

He’s got buckets of potential but he doesn’t stand out in any categories to compare to the likes of Just, Singh and McCowatt. 

He will grow but he’s very predictable when it comes to international level, only can really play on the left hand side and only likes driving left too. Not blessed with blistering pace either. 
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12 Oct 08:18
I liked him when he came on I the Poland game, I know ot was late on but I thought he had good energy, and show good positive intent. 
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19 Oct 01:28
Oops Orgryte get thrashed 3-0. OPP off at 85 mins (2-0).

Orgryte drop to 3rd (promotion playoff spot).

They host Vasteras SK (2nd) in a do or die promotion 6 pointer this weekend.
3 Rounds left
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24 Oct 21:48 · edited 24 Oct 21:52 · History
Urggh it’s going custard like for Orgryte with consecutive losses. This time 0-2

OPP 80 mins (0-2)

Looks like the pro/rel playoff game for Orgryte (3rd). They have another huge 6 pointer hosting Kalmar (2nd) next week, but even a win for Orgryte may not be enough to finish top 2.
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01 Nov 23:50
Really has all gone to muck for Orgryte, as they lose 0-2.
They did go down to 10 men at 61 mins (0-1)
OPP 78 mins (0-2).

One game left and Orgryte will finish 3rd (promotion playoff spot).
Three consecutive losses and winless in four (D & 3L).

In the pro/rel playoff they will play the 3rd last team in the Allsvenskan.

At the moment that could still be any of Halmstad, Brommapojkarna, Norrkoping, Degerfors or Oster.

FDV's old Swedish club Varnamo are last in Allsvenskan, and already relegated.
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08 Nov 13:25
OPP starts.
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08 Nov 23:02
1-1 draw. 
OPP 81 mins (1-1)
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09 Nov 21:24 · edited 10 Nov 00:08 · History
Norrkoping finish 3rd last in the Allsvenskan, and will now play Orgryte in the two game pro/rel playoffs post the FIFA break.
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23 Nov 01:18
Excellent news. Orgryte arrest their bad form to win 3-0.
That's despite going down to 10 men at 55 mins (2-0).
OPP on at 77 mins (3-0).

2nd leg at Norrkoping next weekend.
Orgryte with one foot in the Allsvenskan for 2026.

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29 Nov 14:14
OPP on the pine.
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29 Nov 18:31
On at the 55th minute and OIS have done it! 0-0 draw, 3-0 on aggregate and now into the Allsvenskan for next season. 

What a moment for Parker Price ! - has had to work his way up all the way from 4th Tier in Sweden to the top and now he’s there. Been over there for a long time now and now repping the rewards. Big ups to the lad. 
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30 Nov 02:09
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04 Dec 00:39 · edited 22 Feb 23:52 · History
Niche Cache. Small world football.

Before that move in August, OPP was trying his best to keep Torslanda from being relegated into the fourth tier (which is what ultimately happened after he left)... so in the space of a few months he’s leaped from near the bottom of the third tier all the way up to the top division in the country.

There he’ll potentially run into another Ole Academy alum in Kees Sims who just helped GAIS to a third-place finish (their best effort since 1989). Not to mention how this immediately improves his World Cup squad chances.

Funny coincidence: the coach of Örgryte, Andreas Holmberg, is the brother of Fredrik Holmberg who coaches GAIS... funnier still because those two clubs are local rivals.
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22 Feb 23:57 · edited 23 Feb 00:05 · History
OPP scored the first goal in a 2-2 draw at 2nd tier Varnamo (FDV's old club), in the Swedish Cup on the weekend.

With Singh almost certainly out of the AWs games in March, good to see some squaddie alternatives like OPP and Bayliss emerging.

Remembering OPP will be playing in the Swedish top flight this season, after Orgryte got promoted.

https://us.soccerway.com/game/orgryte-CGT7Kq4j/varnamo-djzjJdOb/?mid=fkrsSkpn

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27 Feb 22:29
OPP 72 mins (0-2) and a yellow in a 0-3 loss
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