Blackpool boss Simon Grayson speaks of respect for Tony Parkes following news of 70-year-old's Alzheimer's diagnosis

Simon Grayson has spoken of his respect for Tony Parkes following the news his former assistant manager at Blackpool has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now
Read More
Blackpool legends pay tribute to former manager Tony Parkes as his daughter open...

Parkes became Blackpool's assistant manager in 2005 shortly after Grayson was appointed as caretaker manager in his first stint at Bloomfield Road.

He helped the club clinch promotion to the Championship during the 2006/07 campaign before being installed as the club's caretaker boss a year later after Grayson made the move to Leeds United.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Parkes, with Steve Thompson as his assistant, led the Seasiders to a 16th placed finish in the Championship.

After discussions with Karl Oyston during the summer, Parkes departed following a disagreement with then chairman Karl Oyston.

It is said that during his time at Bloomfield Road Parkes laid the foundations for Ian Holloway to come in and take the club up to the Premier League.

Speaking today, Grayson said: "It's terrible news about Tony suffering from this horrible illness and it puts a lot of things into perspective when you hear news like this," he said.

Parkes was assistant to Simon Grayson during his first stint in charge at Bloomfield RoadParkes was assistant to Simon Grayson during his first stint in charge at Bloomfield Road
Parkes was assistant to Simon Grayson during his first stint in charge at Bloomfield Road
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Tony was a massive part of my first time here with the experience he brought to the table.

"I wish him massive good luck with everything and my thoughts are with his family as well, because it's something no-one deserves to suffer from.

"Unfortunately it's part and parcel of life in this day and age, but hopefully they can find a solution to this problem."

Parkes is considered a club legend at Blackburn Rovers, having made 350 appearances for the Ewood Park club during a 12-year stint.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He spent a further 22 years there as a coach, often stepping in for caretaker roles.

Grayson added: "When I was a player at Blackburn he was always there to take over the reins when managers lost their jobs.

"I had a huge amount of respect with him from the experience he had as a coach, from the good managers he worked with - people like Roy Hodgson, Kenny Dalglish and many, many others.

"He was there for everybody, he was Mr Blackburn Rovers.

"We've just got to make sure he's in good hands with everybody that he's connected with.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Incidents like this with Tony and the unfortunate incident at Wycombe last week with the supporter losing his life put a lot of things into perspective. Life is more important than many other things.

"I'm sure Tony will be getting a huge amount of support from close friends, people at Blackburn and many other clubs because he was, and still is, a very well-respected football person.

"That's especially the case here in the North West, where he spent most of his working days.

"I'm sure people will be digging deep, rallying round and trying to help in as many ways as possible."