Tony Parkes
Encyclopedia
Anthony "Tony" Parkes is an English
former professional footballer. After retiring, he became a coach. He was most recently caretaker manager
at Blackpool
. It was the seventh such role of his coaching career, having performed the role on six occasions for . He currently works as a scout
for Blackburn Rovers.
who started his career in non-league football
at Buxton
in 1969 before moving to Blackburn Rovers
in 1970 where he spent the rest of his playing career. He played a total of 350 league games and scored 38 goals for Rovers before retiring in 1982.
, where he became assistant manager. He stood in as caretaker manager
for the club six times in less than 20 years. He took over from Bobby Saxton (December 1986-February 1987), Don Mackay
(September–October 1991), Ray Harford
(October 1996-June 1997), Roy Hodgson
(November–December 1998), Brian Kidd
(November 1999-March 2000) and Graeme Souness
(September 2004) after their departures.
During this time Rovers experienced something of a revolution. During his first caretaker spell, they were a struggling Second Division
club who had not tasted top flight football for some 20 years. Five years later, during his second caretaker spell, they had just been taken over by local steel baron Jack Walker
and were a wealthy, ambitious side building for a challenge for promotion to the new FA Premier League
- which was ultimately achieved at the end of the season under new manager Kenny Dalglish
. By the time of his third caretaker spell five years later, barely 18 months had passed since their Premier League title triumph - the club's first top division title since 1914. His fourth spell came in 1999 after Rovers' shock relegation from the top-flight; while Parkes hoped to secure promotion and the manager's position on a full-time basis, this in fact proved to be his least successful stint as caretaker, and he was replaced by Graeme Souness
in March 2000 with the club looking in danger of a second successive relegation. However, Parkes still remained at the club as Souness's assistant.
He left Rovers in November 2004, after 34 years at the club, following then-manager Mark Hughes
' decision to bring in his own backroom team. Parkes criticised the club after he learned of his sacking from his daughter, who had heard the news on the radio, saying, "Usually Blackburn do it the right way, but they got it wrong. I think I deserve a bit more respect than to have my daughter telling me she's just heard it on the radio."
Parkes became Blackpool's assistant manager in December 2005, shortly after Simon Grayson
was appointed as caretaker manager, and he helped the club win promotion to The Championship
in the 2006-07 season after a successful play-off final against Yeovil Town
at Wembley
. On 4 March 2008, he signed a new contract, keeping him at Bloomfield Road
until 2010.
In December 2008, Parkes was installed as a caretaker manager for the seventh time in his career, after Grayson resigned from his position as Blackpool manager to join Leeds United
. Blackpool's first-team coach, Steve Thompson
, took over Parkes' role as assistant manager. After his first game in charge, a 1–1 Boxing Day
draw against Sheffield Wednesday
at Hillsborough, Parkes revealed that the Blackpool board is willing to give him the job full-time, with Thompson continuing as his assistant, if the team continue to perform as they did under Grayson. Blackpool finished the 2008–09 season in 16th place in The Championship. The Blackpool board met in mid-May to discuss his position. After discussions with the club chairman Karl Oyston
— resulting in a disagreement over finances — Parkes left Bloomfield Road. Parkes claims he deserved a better deal than the one offered. "I felt the offer was unjust and there was no way that I could accept it. I don't want to cause a scene or a major problem, because I don't want to go down that road of people saying I'm bitter and twisted. We had some terrific results and some great days and they will stick with me for the rest of my life. I can't understand why I had that kind of offer after what I'd done. That will be the thing that will always concern me."
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former professional footballer. After retiring, he became a coach. He was most recently caretaker manager
Caretaker manager
In association football, a caretaker manager is someone who takes temporary charge of the management of a football club, usually when the regular manager is dismissed or leaves for a different club. However, a caretaker may also be appointed if the regular manager is ill or unable to attend to his...
at Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
. It was the seventh such role of his coaching career, having performed the role on six occasions for . He currently works as a scout
Scout (sport)
In professional sports, scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
for Blackburn Rovers.
Playing career
Parkes was a midfielderMidfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
who started his career in non-league football
Non-league football
Non-League football is football in England played at a level below that of the Premier League and The Football League. The term non-League was commonly used well before 1992 when the top football clubs in England all belonged to The Football League; all clubs who were not a part of The Football...
at Buxton
Buxton F.C.
Buxton Football Club are an English football club based in Buxton, Derbyshire. They were established in 1877 and joined the Combination League in 1891. They then joined the Manchester League in 1899 and won the championship in 1932. They reached the 3rd round of the FA Cup in the 1951-52 season....
in 1969 before moving to Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
in 1970 where he spent the rest of his playing career. He played a total of 350 league games and scored 38 goals for Rovers before retiring in 1982.
Coaching career
After retiring Parkes stayed with Blackburn, joining their coaching staff under Bobby SaxtonBobby Saxton
Robert "Bobby" Saxton is an English former footballer, manager and coach, now working as a scout for Sunderland F.C..-Biography:...
, where he became assistant manager. He stood in as caretaker manager
Caretaker manager
In association football, a caretaker manager is someone who takes temporary charge of the management of a football club, usually when the regular manager is dismissed or leaves for a different club. However, a caretaker may also be appointed if the regular manager is ill or unable to attend to his...
for the club six times in less than 20 years. He took over from Bobby Saxton (December 1986-February 1987), Don Mackay
Don Mackay
Donald Mackay is a Scottish former professional football player and manager.-As player:He was a goalkeeper and played for Forfar Athletic and made 104 appearances. He was then signed for Dundee United by Jerry Kerr, for whom he made 170 appearances...
(September–October 1991), Ray Harford
Ray Harford
Raymond Thomas Harford was an English footballer, better known for his successes as a coach and manager than as a player. He is considered to have been one of the top coaches of his generation.-Playing career:...
(October 1996-June 1997), Roy Hodgson
Roy Hodgson
Roy Hodgson is a former English footballer and current head coach of West Bromwich Albion.Hodgson, who has managed sixteen different teams in eight countries, guided the Switzerland national team to the last 16 of the 1994 World Cup and qualification for Euro 1996; Switzerland had not qualified...
(November–December 1998), Brian Kidd
Brian Kidd
Brian Kidd is an English football coach and former player, who is currently Assistant Manager to Roberto Mancini at Manchester City....
(November 1999-March 2000) and Graeme Souness
Graeme Souness
Graeme James Souness is a Scottish former professional football player and manager.Souness was the captain of the successful Liverpool team of the early 1980s and player-manager of Rangers in the late 1980s as well as captain of the Scottish national team. He also played for Tottenham Hotspur,...
(September 2004) after their departures.
During this time Rovers experienced something of a revolution. During his first caretaker spell, they were a struggling Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
club who had not tasted top flight football for some 20 years. Five years later, during his second caretaker spell, they had just been taken over by local steel baron Jack Walker
Jack Walker
Jack Walker was a British industrialist and businessman, from Blackburn, Lancashire. Walker invested tens of millions of pounds in Blackburn Rovers football club after amassing a personal fortune of £600 million...
and were a wealthy, ambitious side building for a challenge for promotion to the new FA Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
- which was ultimately achieved at the end of the season under new manager Kenny Dalglish
Kenny Dalglish
Kenneth Mathieson "Kenny" Dalglish MBE is a Scottish former footballer and the current manager of Liverpool F.C.. In a 22-year playing career, he played for two club teams, Celtic and Liverpool, winning numerous honours with both. He is the most capped Scottish player, with 102 appearances, and...
. By the time of his third caretaker spell five years later, barely 18 months had passed since their Premier League title triumph - the club's first top division title since 1914. His fourth spell came in 1999 after Rovers' shock relegation from the top-flight; while Parkes hoped to secure promotion and the manager's position on a full-time basis, this in fact proved to be his least successful stint as caretaker, and he was replaced by Graeme Souness
Graeme Souness
Graeme James Souness is a Scottish former professional football player and manager.Souness was the captain of the successful Liverpool team of the early 1980s and player-manager of Rangers in the late 1980s as well as captain of the Scottish national team. He also played for Tottenham Hotspur,...
in March 2000 with the club looking in danger of a second successive relegation. However, Parkes still remained at the club as Souness's assistant.
He left Rovers in November 2004, after 34 years at the club, following then-manager Mark Hughes
Mark Hughes
Leslie Mark Hughes, OBE , is a former Welsh international footballer. As an international footballer, he made 72 appearances and scored 16 goals....
' decision to bring in his own backroom team. Parkes criticised the club after he learned of his sacking from his daughter, who had heard the news on the radio, saying, "Usually Blackburn do it the right way, but they got it wrong. I think I deserve a bit more respect than to have my daughter telling me she's just heard it on the radio."
Parkes became Blackpool's assistant manager in December 2005, shortly after Simon Grayson
Simon Grayson
Simon Nicholas Grayson is a retired English footballer and current manager of Leeds United. He is the elder brother of cricketer Paul Grayson....
was appointed as caretaker manager, and he helped the club win promotion to The Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
in the 2006-07 season after a successful play-off final against Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
at Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
. On 4 March 2008, he signed a new contract, keeping him at Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road is an all-seater football stadium in the English town of Blackpool, Lancashire. It has been the permanent home of Blackpool F.C. since 1901 and is named after the road on which the stadium's main entrance used to stand. The stadium has been in a process of redevelopment since 2000...
until 2010.
In December 2008, Parkes was installed as a caretaker manager for the seventh time in his career, after Grayson resigned from his position as Blackpool manager to join Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
. Blackpool's first-team coach, Steve Thompson
Steve Thompson (footballer born 1964)
Steven James "Steve" Thompson is a retired English footballer who played as a midfielder. He is currently the assistant manager at Blackpool.-Playing career:...
, took over Parkes' role as assistant manager. After his first game in charge, a 1–1 Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
draw against Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
at Hillsborough, Parkes revealed that the Blackpool board is willing to give him the job full-time, with Thompson continuing as his assistant, if the team continue to perform as they did under Grayson. Blackpool finished the 2008–09 season in 16th place in The Championship. The Blackpool board met in mid-May to discuss his position. After discussions with the club chairman Karl Oyston
Karl Oyston
Karl Oyston is an English businessman and the chairman of Blackpool F.C.-Background:Up until 1999, Oyston spent much of his time involved in running the Oyston family businesses including property management, farming interests and publishing....
— resulting in a disagreement over finances — Parkes left Bloomfield Road. Parkes claims he deserved a better deal than the one offered. "I felt the offer was unjust and there was no way that I could accept it. I don't want to cause a scene or a major problem, because I don't want to go down that road of people saying I'm bitter and twisted. We had some terrific results and some great days and they will stick with me for the rest of my life. I can't understand why I had that kind of offer after what I'd done. That will be the thing that will always concern me."
Manager
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers F.C. Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.... (caretaker Caretaker manager In association football, a caretaker manager is someone who takes temporary charge of the management of a football club, usually when the regular manager is dismissed or leaves for a different club. However, a caretaker may also be appointed if the regular manager is ill or unable to attend to his... ) |
 |
25 October 1996 | 1 January 1997 |
|||||
| Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers F.C. Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.... (caretaker) |
|
21 November 1998 | 4 December 1998 |
|||||
| Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers F.C. Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.... (caretaker) |
|
2 November 1999 | 14 March 2000 |
|||||
| Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers F.C. Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.... (caretaker) |
|
6 September 2004 | 15 September 2004 |
|||||
| Blackpool Blackpool F.C. Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the... (caretaker) |
|
23 December 2008 | 18 May 2009 |
|||||
| Total |
||||||||
External links
- Profile at blackpoolfc.co.uk