Phil Parkes: Wolverhampton Wanderers legend dies aged 79

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Phil Parkes has died at the age of 79.

Parkes spent 18 years with Wolves between 1960 and 1978 and made 382 appearances after joining the club as a schoolboy.

After retiring from playing in 1983, he went on to serve on the committee of Wolves’ former players association and was inducted into the club’s hall of fame in 2023.

“It’s a sad day, I’ve had so many calls this morning from former players and friends of Phil just passing on their best wishes and thoughts and prayers to the family,” former team-mate John Richards told BBC Radio WM.

“You’ve got to bear in mind Phil has been part of the Wolves family for the best part of 70 years. He’s going to be a big loss.

“He was one of the people who would have your back. He looked frightening but he was the opposite. He was a big gentle giant until one of his friends was in trouble and then he was there to protect everybody.

“He was known as Lofty or the big man and he lived up to it in a lot of ways. He had a big heart as well.”

Parkes made his first-team debut in 1966 and helped Wolves reach the Uefa Cup final in 1972, losing on aggregate to Tottenham Hotspur.

After leaving Wolves, he finished his playing career in North America, including spells at Vancouver Whitecaps and Chicago Sting.

The club said in a statement, external that Parkes had suffered a fall at home in 2025 that led to him spending the rest of his life under medical supervision.

“The thoughts and prayers are with Lofty’s loved ones at this sad time. Details on further club tributes will follow,” Wolves said.