'Proper football man' - Blackpool FC coaches pay tribute to ex-Seasiders and Blackburn Rovers figure

Former Blackpool coach Tony Parkes has been described as a ‘proper football man’ in tributes following his death at the age of 76.

The Sheffield-born midfielder spent a large part of his football career with Blackburn Rovers, as both a player and a coach.

In 2005, he made the move to Bloomfield Road to form part of Simon Grayson’s backroom staff, and later took caretaker charge of the Seasiders.

During that period, Parkes worked closely with current Blackpool coach Steve Thompson - who admits the pair had a strong bond.

“We always had that connection because he knew my dad and my family,” he said.

“He was very approachable. Simon (Grayson) brought me up from working with the academy to work alongside Tony. He was someone that really settled the ship; we could’ve sunk to a new low.

“His respect and how he handled himself was fantastic, even now you can look at him and say he was a proper football man.

“He was an appointment that Simon needed to add that little bit of experience around him. When he put the sessions on, the lads enjoyed it - he was good to have around the place.

“He wasn’t a ranter or a raver, or one of those who threw stuff, he was very constructive and had a fantastic football brain. His experience rubbed off on a lot of people at Blackpool, and he was a big influence on everyone here.”

Current Blackpool boss Ian Evatt was on the Fylde Coast as a player during that period, and admits Parkes had a positive impact on those he worked with.

“He was an incredible football man, and lived for the game,” he stated.

“He lived for day-to-day workings of football clubs. He had a great time at Blackburn. Simon Grayson, who was my first manager here, was extremely inexperienced and needed Tony’s experience around him.

“Tony was definitely a calming influence. He was just a wonderful football man who had a soft manner, but was incredibly dry and funny as well.

“He was a huge part of my initial journey here, and I’m extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to play under him.”

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