Blackburn Rovers icon Tony Parkes died aged 76 on Wednesday evening 22nd April 2026.
The Sheffield native made 350 appearances for the Championship club in his football career between 1970 and 1982.
Parkes dedicated 34 years of his life to the club, which is why he was affectionately nicknamed “Mr Blackburn Rovers”.
The Championship club announced the tragic news in a statement which read: “Blackburn Rovers are devastated to learn of the passing of Tony Parkes.”
In a 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 aged 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 referred to 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 1994-95 Premier League title triumph under Kenny Dalglish.
Parkes battled Alzheimer’s and was diagnosed in 2020, and even a Championship match between Blackburn and Blackpool was dedicated to him in April 2022.
‘Mr Blackburn Rovers’ played and managed the Championship club across three different divisions after first joining the club in 1970 from non-league Buxton Town.
He played 409 games for Blackburn and scored 46.
