Jack would be turning in his grave, says Blackburn Rovers stalwart Parkes (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Jack would be turning in his grave, says Blackburn Rovers stalwart Parkes

4:30pm Saturday 12th May 2012 in Blackburn Rovers & Premier League Table & Results By Andy Cryer , Blackburn Rovers reporter

TONY Parkes believes Jack Walker ‘would be turning in his grave’ at Blackburn Rovers’ current plight – and fears owners Venky’s have now reached the point of no return.

The man known as ‘Mr Blackburn’ fears Rovers’ Premier League game at Chelsea tomorrow could be the club’s last game in the top flight for a long time, unless huge changes are brought in now.

‘Parkesy’ has Rovers at heart having spent 35 years at the club.

He joined the playing staff at the age of 21 and went on to make almost 400 appearances for the club.

He then went on to become a coach, assistant manager, caretaker boss – several times – and a scout and still cares passionately about ‘his club’.

He has watched Rovers’ slide over the past 18 months in despair and admits the Venky’s regime has been the polar opposite to life under ‘Uncle Jack’.

He said: “Jack Walker would be turning in his grave.

“It is like the complete opposite happening now to what happened with Jack Walker.

“Jack was in it because he loved Blackburn Rovers and loved the town, Venky’s aren’t. I have to admit I don’t know why they are in it at the moment.

“Jack built the stadium, built the training ground. He knocked down houses for car parking but gave the residents top dollar.

“You don’t know why Venky’s are here.

“There is so much unrest in the town. It seems to me as though Venky’s are out of their depth and I have to say the only way forward is for them to go, it is as simple as that.”

Rovers’ trip to Stamford Bridge is almost a non-event after a disastrous season that has already condemned them to Premier League relegation.

Venky’s have this week again stated their desire to make the wrongs right but Parkes, 63, believes the job on their hands is too big to achieve.

“Venky’s have made a mistake,” he said. “They should have bought something that they knew something about.

“Last time we went down it felt very different. We had people around the club who knew what it needed to get back up.

“There isn’t that feeling now. I don’t imagine many fans will go next season, although obviously some will, and there is just that depressing feel about the place at the moment it is so sad.”

Parkes was one of those who felt Kean should have been sacked back in December and, after Rovers’ relegation, has had no cause to change his mind.

He even believes changing the manager is the last glimmer of hope available to the Venky’s, but admits even that would be nowhere near enough on its own.

He said: “Sacking Steve Kean is their only hope, although you can’t help but feel even that would be too little too late now. It would get the fans back though.

“When Sam Allardyce was sacked, you got the feeling it was because he would not stand for the rubbish coming.

“Maybe that is why he continues to keep his job, maybe he is the only one who will.

“They need to bring an experienced manager in and let him do what he feels right.

“Without that, there is no way things can change.

“I have heard that Mrs Desai does not like anyone speaking negatively so that can be the only reason, Kean keeps saying the opposite of what is actually the case. Saying these are exciting times? How can relegation be exciting?

“The last 18 months have been terrible for the football club and, unless things change, the future will be as well.”