Tony Parkes

[Leyland Claret]

https://twitter.com/bbclancssport/statu ... 13896?s=21

This is so sad to watch

[ashtonlongsider]

That was one brutally honest interview by Tony Parkes daughter. Certainly highlighted the impact Alzheimers has on the individual and how it impacts the family. Mirrored how Tony always used to come across in interviews, with integrity and openness. A player and man I respect greatly despite his connections with our great rivals.

[mdd2]

Dreadful and again another footballer dementing in his late 60's early 70's, much younger than when a majority get this cursed illness

[martin_p]

So sad. One of the Rovers legends who I always had a lot of respect for. When you see something like that football rivalries are put aside and I wish Tony and his family all the best.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Sad to hear. A horrible disease for a family to deal with.

[beddie]

It's absolutely dreadful. I feel so sorry for Tony Parkes. Thank goodness he has such a wonderful caring daughter by his side. Let's hope he gets the support he needs right now.

[Dy1geo]

Dreadful and again another footballer dementing in his late 60's early 70's, much younger than when a majority get this cursed illness

It does seem to be the case that this is happening, I listened to a specialist on a radio programme and she said dementia of which there are many types affect approximately 2% of those aged 70 and it doubles every 5 years to affect 1 in 3 for those aged 90. So if ex pro’s are getting the illness in greater numbers the FA should look at supporting these families as a gesture of goodwill because if one day they lose a lawsuit, it will open the floodgates for others to claim, the game as we know will change with heading banned.

[mdd2]

I would have thought a review of cases and who are affected would shed some light on a possible link. Goalkeepers less likely to have repeated bangs on the head as rarely head the ball and do they have less problems? Also some evidence about contact sports and motor neurone disease which may be equally worrying. The study I read single out American football and soccer but there are a few rugby players also affected by MND. Theory puts the risks down to repeated head and neck injuries.As the incidence of MND is only about 1 in 50000 working that out may be difficult, but the days of soccer as we know it maybe numbered.

[Tricky Trevor]

Full respect to Tony Parkes and family.

IMO far too much emphasise is being put on heading the ball as a primary cause and not enough on head to head and elbow to head clashes.

[Funkydrummer]

How on earth did she hold it together in that interview ? She clearly has a great
love for her dad and she has the memories even though her dad is losing them.

Football rivalry is one thing, but love of your fellow man must overcome those
petty squabbles and differences in times such as these.

Tony, I wish you, your family and your friends all my best wishes and strength to deal with this dreadful,
dreadful illness.

Smashing fellah.

[Lord Beamish]

Proper lump in your throat stuff. Rivalry aside, I’ve always liked Tony Parkes. Such a shame.

[Steve1956]

How on earth did she hold it together in that interview ? She clearly has a great
love for her dad and she has the memories even though her dad is losing them.

Football rivalry is one thing, but love of your fellow man must overcome those
petty squabbles and differences in times such as these.

Tony, I wish you, your family and your friends all my best wishes and strength to deal with this dreadful,
dreadful illness.

Smashing fellah.

Lovely post Funky...i echo your sentiments
All the best Tony.

[tim_noone]

Full respect to Tony Parkes and family.

IMO far too much emphasise is being put on heading the ball as a primary cause and not enough on head to head and elbow to head clashes.

I'm aware of a top top Lady...Burnley supporter friend and family orientated...never headed a ball only from the stands like we all do... Only young.can't state enough how Lovely she is along with her Husband who as also been seriously ILL for 3 or 4 years. She's worked in the medical profession all her Life caring for others mine included.always a hug n kiss when she'd see you at a game.ill miss that! I'm gutted for her ..husband and family ...but wish them well.

[Clarets4me]

Whilst not the same condition, my Dad has vascular dementia, which shows similar symptoms and it's very hard watching an intelligent, quick witted man now struggle to remember his age, what he had for breakfast, or where his car is ( Sold 6 months ago ).
Every sympathy and best wishes go to Tony Parkes and his family, he seems very blessed to have his daughter at his side, as she clearly adores him.

Good luck, Tony !!

[Claret Till I Die]

A truly awful disease that is affecting so many families.
Hope you keep your dignity for a long time yet Tony.

[basil6345789]

So sad. What a superb club man he was. Thoughts for the family.

[Wile E Coyote]

That is very tough to watch, so sad. Heartbreaking to hear his daughter describe losing him as a person.
Served his club with great loyalty on many occasions.
Tragic to witness someones personality disappear along with the cherished memories.

[dushanbe]

Poor Tony, he stepped into the breach for Rovers many times and its awful that he is losing those memories of a life well lived and a long career. Hope he gets the support he needs.

[Spike]

Yes very sad would never wish that on any of that shower least of all Parkes

[Sausage]

That's a tough watch. Time to put rivalries aside and give credit to a man who loved his football club and to a daughter who must be going through incredible agonies watching her dad slip away. I genuinely wish them all the very best.

[ClaretTony]

I've just seen this news. Like Natalie is doing now, I lived through this horrible, horrible illness with my dad who passed away at 67, younger than I am now, after suffering for a number of years.

My heart goes out to them.

[JohnMac]

He is an absolute legend in his service to Rovers. No time for petty sillyness when you read this very sad story.

[THEWELLERNUT70]

That's a heart wrenching watch

[aclaretinstevenage]

I'm aware of a top top Lady...Burnley supporter friend and family orientated...never headed a ball only from the stands like we all do... Only young.can't state enough how Lovely she is along with her Husband who as also been seriously ILL for 3 or 4 years. She's worked in the medical profession all her Life caring for others mine included.always a hug n kiss when she'd see you at a game.ill miss that! I'm gutted for her ..husband and family ...but wish them well.

Tim-noone, while I don't know you from what you have written I believe I know the family you refer to. They used to live down south, moved back up north twenty or so years ago. The younger son is running the Manchester half marathon to raise funds / awareness of this horrid disease??
If I'm right along with my brother and his brother in-law we have been friends with the family for many many years and are really saddened by the news we received a few weeks ago. Used to call up to their house for a cuppa whenever we drove up to Burnley and are FB friends with them. Lovely lovely family and such a shame.

I also have a golf partner whose mother is deep in the grips of dementia and the impact on the lives of all the family are turned upside down by this.

I wish the Parkes family all strength in dealing with this

[tim_noone]

Tim-noone, while I don't know you from what you have written I believe I know the family you refer to. They used to live down south, moved back up north twenty or so years ago. The younger son is running the Manchester half marathon to raise funds / awareness of this horrid disease??
If I'm right along with my brother and his brother in-law we have been friends with the family for many many years and are really saddened by the news we received a few weeks ago. Used to call up to their house for a cuppa whenever we drove up to Burnley and are FB friends with them. Lovely lovely family and such a shame.

I also have a golf partner whose mother is deep in the grips of dementia and the impact on the lives of all the family are turned upside down by this.

I wish the Parkes family all strength in dealing with this

They sat / sit in James mac upper...there is a connection to fund raising I believe but I'm not on F.Book. just hoping for the best.

[aclaretinstevenage]

They sat / sit in James mac upper...there is a connection to fund raising I believe but I'm not on F.Book. just hoping for the best.

Yes,and Husband was a driving instructor! Such a shame after his own recent struggles and just got the all clear before this.

[Im_not_Robbie_Blake]

Went through it with my dad too. It's just heartbreaking to see a person gradually leave. Tony is one of the good guys, but that disease is indiscriminate in who it attacks. Could be any of us. Much love to Natalie and Tony.

[bfcjg]

It's a stain on this country that dementia sufferers have in the main to sell houses to pay for care and you are lucky to find a bed for them. I've had it with parents and in laws it's dreadful . Folk in the care industry deserve proper pay and conditions care home owners should get funded by the state for every patient.
I can only echo what others have said about Tony Parkes and his family.

[tim_noone]

Yes,and Husband was a driving instructor! Such a shame after his own recent struggles and just got the all clear before this.

Yes.....on a day of crappy news my young 20 oddish neighbour's just introduced himself after moving in the flat next door to me apologising about any noise he might be making or his two year old ...... then told me he had terminal cancer....shock is an understatement.

[JohnDearyMe]

It's a stain on this country that dementia sufferers have in the main to sell houses to pay for care and you are lucky to find a bed for them. I've had it with parents and in laws it's dreadful . Folk in the care industry deserve proper pay and conditions care home owners should get funded by the state for every patient.
I can only echo what others have said about Tony Parkes and his family.

Well said, fully agree

[AngleseyClaret]

I have worked with Tony and I can honestly say that he was probably the best coach I ever worked with, I am devastated to hear this news, rivalry apart I know that all clarets will be shocked by this news.

[ClaretTony]

I've just watched it again and it is those words close to the end of the interview when his daughter says: "I'm trying to come to terms with the fact that I lost my dad before Christmas." That is one of the hardest things you have to deal with, knowing the man is no longer your dad, just someone different who needs your help.

[Wile E Coyote]

its such a cruel condition, you recognise the person you love, but they have lost you, such a hard thing for families to come to terms with. A ******* of a thing.