Mourners have gathered in Wolverhampton to say a final farewell to legendary Wolves goalkeeper Phil ‘Lofty’ Parkes.
Family, friends and figures from the Wolves family arrived at St Peter’s Collegiate Church in the city centre on Wednesday morning (September 2) ahead of the funeral service for the much-loved former goalkeeper.
Parkes, who died on August 8 aged 79, spent 18 years at Molineux and made 382 first-team appearances for Wolves between 1966 and 1978.
Affectionately known as ‘Lofty’ because of his imposing 6ft 4in frame, he became one of the club’s most recognisable figures during a successful era for Wanderers.
He helped Wolves reach the 1972 UEFA Cup final and was part of the squad which won the League Cup two years later.
Parkes remained closely connected to Wolves long after his playing career had ended and was a popular figure at Molineux, regularly attending former player, community and charity events.
He was inducted into the Wolves Hall of Fame in 2023.
1. Phil Parkes was a Wolves legend
Phil Parkes's funeral in Wolverhampton | Photo: Martyn Greswolde/Iconic Media Group
2. Phil Parkes (right) was inducted into the Wolves Hall of Fame in 2023
Phil Parkes's funeral in Wolverhampton | Photo: Sam Bagnall
3. The procession through Wolverhampton city centre
Phil Parkes's funeral in Wolverhampton | Photo: Martyn Greswolde/Iconic Media Group
4. The funeral procession through Wolverhampton city centre
Phil Parkes's funeral in Wolverhampton | Photo: Martyn Greswolde/Iconic Media Group