His Coaching Career Highlights

In the early 1980s, Parkes joined the backroom staff under manager Bobby Saxton. On 30 Dec 1986, Blackburn Rovers sacked Saxton after the club was rock bottom in the Second Division with 17 points from 20 games. Team coach Tony Parkes, aged 38 then, stepped in as caretaker-manager while the club await the appointment of a new gaffer. His first spell as caretaker was over 5 games - 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss.

On 3 Feb 1987, Scottish Don Mackay was appointed as manager. In the next two seasons, Blackburn Rovers made it into the play offs, but lost out on promotion both times. Four years later, Mackay was sacked after the club was placed 21st of 22 in the Second Division. Coach Pakes came to our rescue taking charge of 8 games - 5 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss. Parkes acheived 17 out of 24 points and presented the club in 7th position to the new gaffer.

Blackburn Rovers Team 1971/72 in the English Football Third Division
Tony Parkes was seated first from the left.

Liverpool great Kenny Dalglish was unveiled as the new manager on 12 October 1991. Kenny had only agreed to accept the job on the condition that Parkes remained part of his backroom staff. Kenny said:"I had total trust in Tony and his opinion... Although I was bringing Ray Harford in with me, it was important to have someone with Blackburn roots and they don't get any deeper than in Tony Parkes." The three men transformed Rovers from a once unfashionable Second Division club into the Champions of England.

After winning the Premier League, Kenny Dalglish became the club's Director of Football on 25 June 1995 with Ray Harford taking over as manager of Blackburn. Harford, whom sensibly kept the trusty Parkes said: "Tony was a nice guy who'd been a player there and was very much involved in the town, almost a Blackburn lad by association even though he was born in Yorkshire."

On 25 October 1996, Ray Harford resigned and left the club at rock bottom of the Premiership table with 4 points from 11 games. Fans' favourite Alan Shearer was sold. Blackburn Rovers seemed destined for relegation only two seasons after winning the championship. Parkes stepped forward and led the team to 13th place. He won 10 times, drew 11 times and lost 9 times in 30 games. It was Parkes' greatest ever achievement, and Jack Walker broke down in tears in the dressing room.

On 1 June 1997, Roy Hodgson left Italian giant Internazionale to join Blackburn Rovers as manager. Even before joining Blackburn, Tony Parkes has been assured by Hodgson that his future at Ewood Park is safe. Blackburn was 6th and earned an UEFA cup place. However in his second season in charge, Roy left the club on mutual consent on 21 November 1998, after a string of poor results saw Blackburn drop to the bottom of the league table. Parkes returned as caretaker for 2 games - 2 loss.

Manchester United assistant manager Brian Kidd left to take charge at Blackburn Rovers in December 1998, but the club was relegated and Kidd was dismissed on 3 November 1999 after the side performed poorly in Division One. After Kidd left in 1999, Parkes managed Rovers this time for 26 games - 11 wins, 8 draws, and 7 loss.

Following the departure of Souness to Newcastle United, Parkes was appointed as caretaker manager for the sixth time, for 1 game - 1 loss. Wales manager Mark Hughes took over management shortly on 15 September 2004. And to the surprise of the supporters, the Ewood favourite was dismissed after Hughes decided to bring in his own backroom team. Mark Hughes said, "I would like to thank Tony for his massive contribution to the club over such a long period."

Over the years, the trusted steward filled in the managerial positions of Bobby Saxton, Don Mackay, Ray Harford, Roy Hodgson, Brian Kidd, and Graeme Souness, serving no less than 16 different managers as a valued player and great coach, surrendering managerial authority with the club in better shape than he found it.

More than 13,500 fans turned up for Tony Parkes' testimonial match at Ewood Park to pay homeage. And Kenny Dalglish led the PARKES Starting Eleven Heroes including Simon Garner, Alan Shearer and more. Even Tim Sherwood and Jason Wilcox, who were both injured and couldn't play, came back to be part of the night.

ROVERS XI- Mark Hughes:
Brad Friedel (sub Peter Enckelman 38 mins), Ryan Nelsen (sub Martin Taylor 46 mins), Andy Todd (sub Tony Kane 46 mins), Craig Short (sub Joel Byrom 74 mins), Jay McEveley (sub Craig Barr 58 mins), Aaron Mokoena (sub Gary Harkins 46 mins), Jonathan Douglas (sub Sergio Peter 58 mins), Johnson (sub Joe Garner 72 mins), Jonathan Stead (sub Matt Derbyshire 58 mins), Tugay Kerimoglu (sub Gary Stopforth 66 mins), Paul Gallagher.

PARKES XI - Kenny Dalglish:
Tim Flowers, Simon Grayson, Colin Hendry, David May, Kevin Hird (sub Ciaran Donnelly 46 mins), Stuart Ripley (sub Paul Dalglish 46 mins), Gordon Cowans, Mark Atkins (sub Ian Miller 69 mins), Kevin Gallacher (sub Mark Patterson 69 mins), Mike Newell (sub David Speedie 46 mins), Alan Shearer (sub Simon Garner 80 mins).

Final Score: ROVERS XI 7 - 3 PARKES XI

As the final whistle blew, everyone stood to saluted Tony, who was obviously emotional as he came onto the pitch to accept their cheers. The game marked the official end of his 34 year association with Blackburn Rovers.

Alan Shearer said: "To serve one club for 34 years is incredible and I don't think that will ever be done again. I think every football club needs a person like Tony Parkes in it. Tony probably knows more corridors in Ewood Park than anyone and he really deserves the send off he got here tonight."

Parkes said: "Rovers have been great with me and I have many, many happy memories which can never be erased. I want the fans, who have also been fantastic towards me, to know that I have no animosity whatsoever".

This author did the page with tears. Ininix.com salutes the true Blue & White - Tony Parkes.