MARK Hughes has paid tribute to reserve team manager Tony Parkes who today ended a 34-year association with Ewood Park.

The Rovers manager said: "I would like to thank Tony for his massive contribution to the club over such a long period.

"The situation with the Reserves, which I inherited, was under review. When Rob Kelly decided to leave to join Leicester, I felt it best to look for just one person to take charge.

"I felt we needed someone used to working with younger players to help us continue to develop the club's links with the Academy.

"While Tony has great qualities, he has obviously been more involved with senior football in his time on the staff here, and, as such, I did not think he was necessarily the man to fill that role.

"I am very disappointed that I never got the chance to tell Tony before it leaked out in the papers. We found out about Rob last weekend and had a Board meeting when the overall situation was discussed.

"My plan was to speak to Tony and inform him of the situation before training today. Unfortunately, that was not possible and I am very saddened by that."

Tony, who first joined the club back in 1970 and held the post of caretaker manager on several occasions, was involved in a backroom re-shuffle in the summer when the then manager Graeme Souness appointed Alan Murray as his assistant with Parkes taking charge of the Reserves alongside Kelly.

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