Tony Parkes Dies Aged 76 As Tributes Are Paid To ‘mr Blackburn Rovers’

Tributes person been paid to “Mr Blackburn Rovers” Tony Parkes aft his decease astatine nan property of 76. The erstwhile subordinate and coach was 1 of nan longest-serving labor successful nan club’s history, pinch his relation opening pinch his £5,000 move from Buxton successful 1970 and concluding successful 2004.

“Blackburn Rovers are devastated to study of nan passing of Tony Parkes. A existent nine legend, often referred to arsenic ‘Mr Blackburn Rovers’,” said a nine statement. “Everyone astatine Blackburn Rovers sends their deepest heartfelt condolences to Tony’s girl Natalie and each his family and friends astatine this incredibly sad time.”

Parkes was portion of nan squad which lifted nan Third Division title successful 1975 and secured contiguous promotion backmost to nan 2nd tier pursuing nan club’s relegation successful 1979.

Tony Parkes (left) poses pinch Kenny Dalglish (centre) and Ray Harford aft Blackburn Rovers clinched nan Premier League title successful 1995. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

He retired successful 1982 having scored 46 goals successful 409 appearances for nan club, becoming first-team coach nether caller head Bobby Saxton and going connected to service six spells arsenic caretaker manager. Parkes was portion of nan backroom unit erstwhile nan nine won nan Premier League successful 1995.

The astir important of his caretaker stints came successful nan 1996-97 play pursuing nan departure of Ray Harford erstwhile he steered nan nine distant from relegation danger. After leaving Ewood Park successful 2004 Parkes served arsenic a scout for Leicester earlier becoming adjunct head to Simon Grayson astatine Blackpool, wherever he later had a spell successful caretaker charge.

Blackburn will salary a typical tribute to Parkes astatine their last location crippled of nan play against Leicester connected 2 May.