Tony Parkes, a Blackburn Rovers legend who was a part of the teaching workers throughout their Premier League title-winning season in 1995, has died.
Tony Parkes (Picture: undefined)
Blackburn Rovers have confirmed the loss of life of membership icon Tony Parkes on the age of 76. Parkes, often known as ‘Mr Blackburn Rovers’, spent 12 years as a participant for Blackburn earlier than becoming a member of the teaching workers at Ewood Park, and in addition assumed caretaker obligations on a number of events between 1986 and 2004. He shaped a part of the teaching staff throughout Blackburn’s Premiership title triumph in 1994/95 beneath Kenny Dalglish and alongside Ray Harford.
The Championship facet confirmed the lack of a real membership icon in an announcement, which learn: “Blackburn Rovers are devastated to be taught of the passing of Tony Parkes. A real membership legend, sometimes called ‘Mr Blackburn Rovers’, Tony handed away final night time on the age of 76.
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“Everybody on the membership sends their deepest heartfelt condolences to Tony’s daughter Natalie and all his household and buddies at this extremely unhappy time.
“A particular tribute might be held to rejoice Tony’s life and his excellent contribution to the membership’s historical past at our remaining house sport of the season towards Leicester Metropolis on Saturday Might 2nd.”
Parkes represented and managed Rovers throughout three separate divisions, having initially signed for the membership in 1970 from non-league Buxton City for a price of merely £5,000. He went on to make 409 appearances for Blackburn, scoring 46 targets.
After hanging up his boots in 1982, Parkes joined the teaching workers and stepped in as caretaker supervisor on six separate events. He took over from Bobby Saxton (December 1986 – February 1987), Don Mackay (September – October 1991), Ray Harford (October 1996 – June 1997), Roy Hodgson (November – December 1998), Brian Kidd (November 1999 – March 2000) and Graeme Souness (September 2004) following their respective departures.
All through his lengthy affiliation with the Ewood Park outfit, Parkes’ crowning achievement was taking part in his half in serving to Dalglish’s facet, spearheaded by Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton and bankrolled by native businessman Jack Walker, clinch the title in 1995 earlier than the membership launched into a European marketing campaign the next season.
Tony Parkes managed Blackburn Rovers a number of instances as a caretaker supervisor (Picture: Every day Mirror)
Tony Parkes, Kenny Dalglish and Ray Harford after Blackburn gained the Premier League (Picture: Getty Pictures)
Parkes subsequently turned assistant supervisor at Blackpool in December 2005, serving to the membership safe promotion to the Championship through the 2006/07 season.
He was appointed caretaker supervisor of the Tangerines following Simon Grayson’s resignation in December 2008, although he departed the membership the next summer season.
Blackpool paid tribute on social media, writing: “Everybody at Blackpool FC is devastated to listen to this information. Our love and finest needs exit to all of Tony’s household, buddies and everybody at Blackburn Rovers.”
Parkes was identified with Alzheimer’s illness in 2020, and a Championship fixture between Blackburn and Blackpool was devoted in his honour in April 2022. In his later years, he continued to make visits to Ewood Park alongside his daughter Natalie.
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