BLACKBURN Rovers legend Tony Parkes was honoured at the MBNA Northwest Football Awards on a night to remember for the club he served with distinction for more than 30 years.

Parkes scored 45 goals in 392 appearances for Rovers between 1970 and 1982 before spending a further 22 years with the club as a coach, caretaker manager and manager.

The 66-year-old’s outstanding service was recognised last night when he was given the Lifetime Contribution to Northwest Football award.

Parkes, who went on to work for Blackpool after leaving Ewood Park, follows in the footsteps of former Rovers boss Kenny Dalglish and player Dave Whelan in winning the prize.

Rovers left-back Markus Olsson beat Tim Ream (former Bolton Wanderers, now of Fulham) and Jason Pearce (Wigan Athletic) to the Championship Player of the Year award.

And there was also reason to celebrate for the club’s head of sports medicine Dave Fevre, who won the Fabrice Muamba Award for Outstanding Contribution to Football Medicine and Science.

And in a further boost Rovers’ Community Trust were named the Community Club of the Year outside of the Premier League.

Preston North End’s former Rovers defender Simon Grayson was the recipient of the Manager of the Year prize.