Blackburn Rovers icon Tony Parkes died aged 76 on Wednesday evening April 22, 2026.
The Sheffield native made 350 appearances for the Championship club during his footballing career between 1970 and 1982.
Parkes dedicated 34 years of his life to the club and is the reason why he was affectionately given the nickname ‘Mr Blackburn Rovers’.
The Championship club announced the tragic news in a statement which read: “Blackburn Rovers are devastated to learn of the death of Tony Parkes. »
Paying rich tribute to a club legend, the statement added: “A true club legend, often referred to as ‘Mr Blackburn Rovers’, Tony 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 nicknamed ‘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 1994-95 Premiership triumph under Kenny Dalglish.
Parkes was battling Alzheimer’s disease and was diagnosed in 2020 and even had a league match between Blackburn and Blackpool dedicated to him in April 2022.
‘Mr Blackburn Rovers’ played for 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.
