Blackburn Rovers icon Tony Parkes passed away at age 76 on Wednesday night, April 22, 2026.
The Sheffield native played in 350 games for the Championship club in his soccer career between 1970 and 1982.
Parkes dedicated 34 years of his life to the club and that was the reason, he was affectionately given the nickname title of ‘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.”
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 heartfelt 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 the Blackburn before joining the coaching staff at Ewood Park.
He was a member of the coaching staff during Blackburn’s Premiership title triumph in 1994-95 under Kenny Dalglish.
Parkes was battling with Alzheimer’s and 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 various Divisions after first joining the club in 1970 from non-league Buxton Town.
He made 409 appearances for Blackburn, scoring 46.
