Tony Parkes

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Lore & Background

Parkes was a midfielder who started his career in non-League football at Buxton in 1969 before moving to Blackburn Rovers in 1970 where he spent the rest of his playing career. He played a total of 350 league games and scored 38 goals for Rovers before retiring in 1982. After retiring, he stayed with Blackburn, joining their coaching staff under Bobby Saxton, where he became assistant manager. He stood in as caretaker manager for the club six times between 1986 and 2004. 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) after their departures. Parkes left Rovers in November 2004, after 34 years at the club, when Hughes disposed of his services. Parkes was given a testimonial match in May 2005. Parkes became Blackpool's assistant manager in December 2005, shortly after Simon Grayson was appointed manager, and he helped the club win promotion to the Football League Championship in the 2006–07 season. In December 2008, Parkes was installed as a caretaker manager for the seventh time in his career, after Grayson resigned. Blackpool finished the 2008–09 season in 16th place in The Championship. After discussions with the club chairman Karl Oyston – resulting in a disagreement over finances – Parkes left Bloomfield Road. In 2010 Parkes returned to Blackburn Rovers as a scout which ultimately was his final role in football. In December 2011 Parkes was highly critical of Venkys, Steve Kean and the Walker Trust correctly predicting that Rovers would be relegated if Kean remained as manager. Parkes was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2020. The Championship league fixture between Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool on 9 April 2022 was dedicated to Parkes.

In Their Own Story

The rain lashed against the floodlights at Goldstone Ground, but inside the dressing room, Tony Parkes spoke with a calm that belied the stakes. The Fourth Division title was within reach, yet the team had to be perfect. He looked around at the faces of players who had once been amateurs, now fighting for their professional lives. 'This is it,' he said, his voice steady. 'We don't just want to go up; we want to stay.' That night, the atmosphere was electric, a mix of fear and hope that defined an era where Brighton proved they belonged among the giants.

Reader's Guide

Parkes served as caretaker manager for Blackburn Rovers six times and once for Blackpool, making seven caretaker spells in total. His longest caretaker stint was from October 1996 to June 1997, during which he kept Rovers in the Premier League.

Did You Know?

• Parkes learned of his sacking from Blackburn Rovers when his daughter heard the news on the radio.
• He was given a testimonial match in May 2005 that attracted former Rovers favourites such as Alan Shearer and Colin Hendry.
• Parkes helped Blackpool win promotion to the Football League Championship via the play-offs in 2007.