The wife of Mr Blackburn passes away

Long serving ex-Rover Tony Parkes has lost his wife after her year-long battle with cancer.

Eileen Parkes, 61, was diagnosed with bone cancer over a year ago and suffered tremendous pain before dying at the Parkes home.

Tony was understandably too upset to make any sort of statement but Rovers MD Tom Finn was first out with a heart warming message.

Tony was at Rovers for 34 years as player, coach, assistant manager and six-time caretaker boss, establishing himself as an all-time Ewood legend.

Tony was also recently the caretaker boss at Blackpool but he left in May this year to care for his wife in her battle against ill-health.

Tony and Eileen have a daughter named Natalie that survives Eileen.

The tribute in full for Eileen -

Tom, speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph said - 'Everyone connected with the club is deeply saddened by the news of Eileen's passing.

'We would like to record our deepest condolences to Tony, one of our most popular personalities in modern times.

'We saw a lot of Eileen during Tony's long association with Rovers, not only at matches but also at social functions, and she was always a great support.

'It goes without saying that our thoughts are very much with Tony and his family at this distressing time.'

I would like to be the first at Vital Blackburn to extend my deepest condolences to Tony and his family at this terrible time.

Tony was a terrific servant to Rovers and will always have a special place at our club as a legend of the highest order. However it should be recognised that as always the old saying of 'behind every great man is a great woman' is never more true than in Tonys' case.

I had the pleasure of meeting Tony once in a shop in Manchester with his wife and they were both warm and lovely people.

Who does god always insist on taking the good ones?

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