After 34 years at Ewood Park, Tony Parkes, known as ‘Mr Blackburn Rovers’, died in 2020 aged 76 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Tony Parks was battling Alzheimer’s disease (Image: Rachel Holborn – BRFC/Getty Images)
Alan Shearer and Kenny Dalglish have paid tribute to Blackburn Rovers after club legend Tony Parkes announced his death at the age of 76. Parkes, also known as ‘Mr Blackburn Rovers’, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2020.
The Sheffield-born former midfielder joined Rovers from Buxton in 1970 and was associated with Rovers for 34 years, both as a player and coach. After playing more than 400 games in 12 years for Blackburn, Parkes retired to pursue a career in coaching.
He worked alongside managers such as Roy Hodgson and Graeme Souness, and was also part of Dalglish’s staff when the Lancashire side won the Premier League in 1995. Shearer led the line that season and this victory remains Blackburn’s most famous victory.
Parks was interim manager of the club six times from 1986 to 2004, managing 74 games. He then joined Blackpool and was appointed as caretaker during the 2008-09 season, helping to guide the team to safety in the Championship.
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On Thursday, Blackburn said: “Blackburn Rovers are shocked to learn of the passing of Tony Parkes. Tony, also known as ‘Mr Blackburn Rovers’ and a true club legend, passed away last night aged 76.”
“Everyone at Blackburn Rovers sends our deepest sympathies to Tony’s daughter Natalie and all her family and friends at this incredibly sad time. A special memorial service will be held at Rovers’ final home game of the season against Leicester City on Saturday 2nd May to celebrate Tony’s life and outstanding contribution to the club’s history.”
Responding to the sad news, Mr Shearer wrote on X: “Rest in peace Tony. Great man.”
Blackburn Rovers won the Premier League in 1995 (Image: Paul Popper/Popperfoto via Getty Images)
Chris Sutton, Shearer’s strike partner when Rovers won the title, also posted: “Such sad news to hear of the passing of Tony Parkes. Tony was a great player for Rovers and a coach with a great sense of humour.”
“He was a Mr. Blackburn and will be greatly missed. Thoughts and prayers go out to Natalie and the Parks family.”
Dalglish added: “So sad to hear of the passing of Tony Parkes. A wonderful man I had the privilege of working with at Blackburn. A loyal, dedicated man who gave his all to the club. My thoughts are with his family and everyone involved at Blackburn Rovers. Rest in peace Tony.”
In 2022, his daughter Natalie started a fundraiser to help pay for his treatment. She revealed how her brain disease causes her father to forget about her, even though he remembers his time at Ewood Park.
Tony Parkes was Kenny Dalglish’s assistant alongside Ray Harford (right) (Image: Phil Cole/Getty Images)
Natalie said this after receiving her diagnosis. “My father’s situation is very different now. There have been some pretty big changes for us over the last few years. It started gradually, but now it’s very evident. My father was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.”
“It changed a lot for my dad. His independence was a big change. He doesn’t feel comfortable doing things by himself now. He really likes being with me.”
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