A Supporter Base In Mourning At News Of Big Phil

Phil Parkes, one of the Wolves family’s favourite sons, died in New Cross Hospital this morning.

The 79-year-old, already unable to walk after breaking his back in the spring of last year, recently contracted pneumonia.

His condition was subsequently described as a chest infection but he failed to recover.

Knowing where to start paying tribute to this giant of a man and character is difficult but we will try to adequately do so in the next few days and again around the time of his funeral.

Mark our words, that will be a full house, standing room only, with many of us listening from outside. Such was his ‘pull’.

Wolves Heroes wishes to send our deepest condolences to his and late wife Maureen’s sons and to other family members. He will be missed hugely.

Phil played 382 competitive games for Wolves, the first a win at home to Preston in the autumn of our World Cup-winning year, the last a victory at West Ham in March, 1978.

West Bromwich-born, he also kept goal for Vancouver Whitecaps, Chicago Sting, Toronto Blizzard, San Jose Earthquakes and Oklahoma City Slickers, having loved Wolves’ three tours of the United States during his career here.

We know all our readers would echo our sentiments on this desperately sad day: RIP, big man!