'His love for Wolves never wavered' - a tribute to Phil Parkes

Phil Parkes was a big man both in stature and in character and his passing leaves a gaping chasm in the Wolves’ family that can never be adequately filled.

‘Lofty’ played over 380 games for Wolves in a career spanning a dozen years and he retained a passionate devotion to the club that remained with him to the very end.

He made his debut in a victory over Preston in November 1966 replacing the injured Fred Davies before taking over the following February and virtually monopolising the jersey until his departure in March 1978. His longevity was amazing; he accumulated 127 successive league appearance from September 1970 to September 1973 and all told during that sequence 171 first team games on the trot.

He played under three managers at Molineux; Ronnie Allen, Bill McGarry and Sammy Chung. At some stage, the trio all experimented with prospective replacements, but Parkes comfortably repelled challenges from the likes of first Davies and then Evan Williams, Alan Boswell, John Oldfield and most notably, Gary Pierce.

Indeed, Pierce it was who inadvertently benefitted from the biggest disappointment of Lofty’s career. Having played in every game of the journey to Wembley to face Manchester City in the 1974 League cup final, Parkes was injured in training making way for Pierce to enter Molineux folklore with an inspirational match-winning display.

Parkes played a midweek reserve fixture at Molineux days before the final on the pretext of testing his fitness for Wembley. He already knew that he wasn’t making the final, but he turned out thereby temporarily at least, taking a modicum of pressure off the shoulders of Pierce.

The following day, the Express and Star printed a poignant photograph of a solitary Parkes standing alone in front of the vast and entirely deserted South Bank watching the action unfold at the Bushbury end of Molineux. He remained admirably philosophical about his fate, but the bitterness of the disappointment must have been bitingly acute.

The closest he came to winning a trophy centred around the club’s superb run to the UEFA Cup final in 1972. Parkes had an outstanding campaign, excelling in the two-legged semi-final against Ferencvaros saving a penalty both in Hungary and at Molineux.

The final against Tottenham proved less auspicious; Parkes was blamed by some as culpable for the two goals Wolves conceded at Molineux which proved decisive in the failure to lift the trophy.

Indeed, he could be inconsistent; he was agile with blindingly fast reflexes contributing to many remarkable saves and his bravery was unquestionable all tempered by intermittent lapses of concentration.

He responded magnificently to the UEFA disappointment, playing in every single game the following season as Wolves finished fifth in the First Division. Thereafter, he competently shared the keeper’s role with Gary Pierce until the opportunity to play in Vancouver saw him leave Molineux in 1978.

With the transfer agreed and rubber-stamped, Parkes was preparing for a final night out with his colleagues from his beloved Fordhouses cricket club before flying to Canada. A telephone call arrived from the Wolves’ manager Sammy Chung begging Parkes to play the following day at West Ham explaining that his two keepers Gary Pierce and Paul Bradshaw were unavailable.

Understandably, Parkes declined citing the risk of injury which could jeopardize his move abroad. Chung explaining his dilemma and pleaded, ‘Lofty, I’m asking you as a friend.’ Typically loyal, Parkes relented, cancelled his night out, travelled with the team to London and played superbly as Wolves won the game 2-1.

‘It made sure that my first and last games for Wolves were both victories.’

He performed outstandingly in North America winning the Soccer Bowl with Vancouver Whitecaps in 1979 alongside being voted best keeper in the league for three consecutive years before his return to this country.

His love for Wolves never wavered; he attended numerous functions in the company of his former colleagues constantly relating a host of hysterically amusing reminiscences.

He was unfailingly exuberant, riotously good company and a massive micky taker without a smidgin of malice. He was just simply great fun to be around.

In 2025, he suffered life-changing injuries after an accident at home. He showed great courage and stoicism with no time for self-pity; he accepted his burden with immense dignity and resilience.

He was inducted into the Wolves Hall of Fame in 2023; it’s difficult to imagine a more popular choice.

Well played Lofty, you’re in safe hands now. It was a lot of fun; Wolves’ legend.