Tony Parkes - a loyal servant

Born in Sheffield on the 5th May 1949, he played one season for Non-League team Buxton in the Cheshire League, scoring 33 goals with the Derbyshire side before joining the Rovers in May 1970. 

A versatile midfield player, Tony would go on to play 350 games and score 38 goals in his time with the club and played an important role in the Division Three Champions side in 1974-75. Tony suffered a broken leg in a game in February 1980 which ultimately ended his career in 1982.

After retiring, he joined the coaching staff under Manager, Bobby Saxton. He stood in as Caretaker Manager on six occasions - 1986-87, 1991, 1996-97, 1998, 1999-2000 and briefly when Graeme Souness left in 2004. Tony was part of Kenny Dalglish’s coaching team when the Rovers won the Premiership title in 1994-95, having led the team out in the Division Two Play-Off Final at Wembley in May 1992.

He left the club in 2004 and spent time in coaching and Caretaker Manager roles with Blackpool F.C. between 2005 and 2009. Sadly, Tony was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2020.

Steve Williams