Blackburn Rovers icon Tony Parkes passed away aged 76 on the night of Wednesday 22nd April 2026.
The Sheffield native played in 350 games for the Championship club in his football career between 1970 and 1982.
Parkes dedicated 34 years of his life to the club and that was the reason why he was affectionately nicknamed ‘Mr. Blackburn Rovers’.
The Championship club announced the tragic news in a statement saying: “Blackburn Rovers are devastated to learn of the passing of Tony Parkes.”
Paying rich tribute to a club legend, the statement added: “Tony, a true club legend, often referred to as ‘Mr Blackburn Rovers’, passed away last night at the age of 76.
“Everyone at the club sends their deepest condolences to Tony’s daughter Natalie and all his family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”
Parkes, often known as ‘Mr Blackburn Rovers’, spent 12 years of his career playing for Blackburn before joining the coaching staff at Ewood Park.
He was a member of the coaching staff during Blackburn’s Premiership title triumph in 1994-95 under Kenny Dalglish.
Parkes was battling Alzheimer’s disease and was diagnosed in 2020 and even had a championship match between Blackburn and Blackpool dedicated to him in April 2022.
‘Mr Blackburn Rovers’ played and managed the Championship club in three different divisions after first joining the club in 1970 from non-league Buxton Town.
He made 409 appearances for Blackburn, scoring 46.
