Tony Parkes facts for kids
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Anthony Parkes | ||
| Date of birth | 5 May 1949 | ||
| Place of birth | Sheffield, England | ||
| Date of death | 22 April 2026 (aged 76) | ||
| Height | 5 ft 7+1⁄2 in (1.71 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1969–1970 | Buxton | ||
| 1970–1982 | Blackburn Rovers | 350 | (38) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1986–1987 | Blackburn Rovers (caretaker) | ||
| 1991 | Blackburn Rovers (caretaker) | ||
| 1996–1997 | Blackburn Rovers (caretaker) | ||
| 1998 | Blackburn Rovers (caretaker) | ||
| 1999–2000 | Blackburn Rovers (caretaker) | ||
| 2004 | Blackburn Rovers (caretaker) | ||
| 2008–2009 | Blackpool (caretaker) | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Anthony Parkes, born on May 5, 1949, was a well-known English football player and coach. He spent many years working in football, first as a player and then as a coach. He was especially known for stepping in as a temporary manager, called a "caretaker manager," for several clubs. He did this seven times in his career, mostly for Blackburn Rovers and later for Blackpool. He also worked as a scout, helping to find new talent for teams.
Contents
Tony Parkes: A Football Legend
Early Days as a Player
Tony Parkes was a talented midfielder. He began his football journey in 1969 with Buxton, a club outside the main professional leagues. In 1970, he joined Blackburn Rovers, where he spent his entire professional playing career. He played an impressive 350 league games for Rovers and scored 38 goals. Tony retired as a player in 1982.
Coaching at Blackburn Rovers
After he stopped playing, Tony Parkes stayed with Blackburn Rovers. He joined the coaching team under manager Bobby Saxton and later became the assistant manager. Tony became known for his important role as a "caretaker manager." This means he took charge of the team temporarily when the main manager left, until a new one was found. He did this six times for Blackburn Rovers between 1986 and 2004.
Guiding Rovers Through Changes
Tony stepped in to lead the team during many important times. For example, in his first temporary role, Blackburn was a club trying to get back into the top division of English football. Later, the club got a new owner, Jack Walker, who invested a lot of money. This helped Blackburn become a strong team, eventually winning the FA Premier League title in 1995. Tony was there through these exciting changes, helping to guide the team. He often took over when the team was struggling, helping them to improve their performance.
A Farewell and a New Start
Tony Parkes left Blackburn Rovers in November 2004, after 34 years of dedicated service to the club. The new manager, Mark Hughes, wanted to bring in his own coaching staff. To honor his long career, Blackburn Rovers held a special "testimonial match" in May 2005. Many famous former players, like Alan Shearer, returned to play in this game, showing their respect for Tony.
Time at Blackpool F.C.
In December 2005, Tony joined Blackpool as assistant manager. He worked alongside manager Simon Grayson. Together, they helped Blackpool achieve great success. In the 2006–07 season, the team won promotion to the Football League Championship, a higher league. They achieved this by winning a play-off final at Wembley Stadium. Tony signed a new contract in 2008, planning to stay with Blackpool until 2010.
In December 2008, Tony took on his seventh caretaker manager role when Simon Grayson left Blackpool. He led the team for several months. After discussions about a permanent manager role, Tony decided to leave Blackpool in May 2009. He felt the contract offer was not fair for the work he had done.
Remembering Tony Parkes
In 2020, Tony Parkes was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, a condition that affects memory and thinking. To support him and his family, a special football match between Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool was dedicated to Tony on April 9, 2022. Fundraising efforts also took place to help with his care.
Tony Parkes passed away peacefully on April 22, 2026, at the age of 76. He will always be remembered as a dedicated player, coach, and a true legend in English football.
