BLACKBURN ROVERS legend Tony Parkes has tragically died on the age of 76.
The Sheffield native made 350 appearances for the Championship club in his enjoying profession between 1970 and 1982.
Upon his enjoying retirement, he joined the teaching workers on the club.
He would go on to take up a caretaker supervisor position on six events with the outfit between 1986 and 2004.
His dedication to the club, at which he spent a complete of 34 years, led to him being affectionately nicknamed ‘Mr Blackburn Rovers‘.
The club launched a press release saying Parkes’ loss of life on Thursday that learn: “Blackburn Rovers are devastated to study of the passing of Tony Parkes.
“A real club legend, typically referred to as ‘Mr Blackburn Rovers’, Tony handed away final night time on the age of 76.
“Everyone on the club sends their deepest heartfelt condolences to Tony’s daughter Natalie and all his household and mates at this extremely unhappy time.
“A special tribute will be held to celebrate Tony’s life and his outstanding contribution to the club’s history at our final home game of the season against Leicester City on Saturday May 2nd.”
Tributes shortly poured in for the club icon, with legendary former Blackburn and Newcastle striker Alan Shearer amongst them.
The 55-year-old added his condolences on X, writing: “RIP Tony. A Great Man.”
Parkes was current for the whole thing of Shearer’s four-year stint with the club, stretching from 1992 to 1996.
Fans have additionally referred to as for a tribute of their very own, urging the club to contemplate renaming the Riverside Stand at Ewood Park in his honour.
Parkes finally left the club in 2004 after new boss Mark Hughes shook up the teaching workers on the club, however a testimonial was held the next yr in recognition of his efforts over his three-and-a-half decade tenure.
His passing comes only a day after his beloved Blackburn confirmed their Championship security with a 3-1 win over Sheffield United.
It has been a tough journey for Rovers this season, however objectives from Yuki Ohashi and Ryoya Morishita on Wednesday capped off a late-season uptick in type pushed by supervisor Michael O’Neill to maintain the facet in the second division.
