'Thank you for the memories, Tony'

[Clive Lawrence]

It's been an emotional week for Blackburn Rovers - a week that seemed to hold both relief and heartbreak in the same breath.

In the club's 150th season, when relegation had hovered like a shadow for so long, Wednesday night finally brought the points needed to stay in the Championship.

And then, only hours later, came the news that broke so many hearts: the passing of one of Rovers' most beloved sons, Tony Parkes.

Losing Tony has hit me hard, both personally and professionally.

He wasn't just a club legend to me - he was a friend.

We lived in the same village, and our daily routines often crossed on long walks. We'd stop, talk football, set the world right for a few minutes, and if we bumped into each other the next day, we'd happily do it all again.

Tony would join me on BBC Radio Lancashire for match commentaries, preferring the touchline to the press box, but always bringing insight that fans valued. When Tony spoke, people listened.

Players and managers come and go. Some leave as heroes, others less so. But few stay the course - steady, loyal, unshakeable. Tony Parkes was one of those few. He embodied resilience, humility, skill and hard work. It's no wonder people called him "Mr Blackburn Rovers," a title he never sought but wore effortlessly.

Over the last day, tributes have poured in from supporters who adored him. Many believe he left this world knowing his beloved Rovers were safe and that their survival came in Sheffield, the city where he was born in 1949.

Former players have shared their memories too. At the club's 150th anniversary gala, Alan Shearer, Colin Hendry, and Kevin Gallacher spoke of his kindness, his humour, and the quiet strength that defined him.

Tony's Rovers story began in 1970, when he was plucked from non-league Buxton Town for a trial.

A striker turned midfielder, he became a constant presence - part of the 1974–75 promotion side under Gordon Lee, and again influential in the team that rose back to the second tier under Howard Kendall in 1980. A broken leg in 1981 ended his playing days but opened the door to a remarkable coaching career.

He took charge of Rovers six times. Three times he came close to being appointed permanently.