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Wolves legend Phil Parkes's career in pictures

Trystan JonesWest Midlands
News imageGetty Images A black and white archive photo of Phil Parkes catching a ball in the air, under a challenge from Tottenham Hotspurs' Martin Peters. In the background the stands are full of fans Getty Images
Phil Parkes denies Spurs' Martin Peters in the second leg of the 1972 Uefa Cup Final

The death of Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Phil Parkes on Saturday has prompted tributes to a man the club described as one of its most popular former players.

Affectionately known as Lofty, they said he was not only a "top goalkeeper spending over a decade in the first team at Molineux", but also a big personality.

Spotted by a Wolves scout at the age of 14, he would spend his entire English career with the club until a "wonderful swansong" in the USA and Canada.

Over the weekend, scores of fellow team-mates have paid tribute, including Mel Eves, who described him as "genuinely one of the nicest guys you would ever wish to meet".

We take a look at some of the highlights of his career in photos, including the 1972 Uefa Cup Final, which Spurs would go on to win 3-2 on aggregate.

News imageGetty Images A youthful head and shoulders black and white portrait shot of Phil Parkes with short hair and a dark top, with empty eats in the backgroundGetty Images
Here captured in an early Wolves portrait session in 1965, Parkes would make more than 300 appearances for the club
News imageGetty Images A 1971 Wolves squad photo - three rows of players, with the front row sitting downGetty Images
He would share the 1971 squad with the likes of Mike Bailey, Jim McCalliog, Kenny Hibbitt, John Richards and Dave Wagstaffe

Parkes joined Wolves after leaving school, the club said, combining playing as an amateur with a job in a steel construction factory before fully turning professional.

It could have been very different though.

He was born in West Bromwich and Wolves said as a boy he watched matches at The Hawthorns and initially joined their youth set-up before being scouted by the Baggies' local rivals.

News imageGetty Images Black and white of Parkes and Parking Jumping to intercept a ball in front of the goal posts. In the background is a big crowd at AnfieldGetty Images
Parkes and full back Derek Parkin attempt to cut out a cross intended for Liverpool's Bobby Graham
News imageGetty Images A stretching Parkes tips a ball over the crossbar from Arsenal's Ray kennedy's headerGetty Images
Parkes, here captured in 1970 tipping Arsenal striker Ray Kennedy's header over the bar, only wore gloves later in his career

Parkes's career covered the span in which goalkeepers started to wear gloves, although Wolves said during the run to the 1972 Uefa Cup final he was refused the opportunity to buy some gloves behind the Iron Curtain in East Germany.

In their tribute, Wolves described him as an "imposing figure, a powerful presence, who would never shy away from a confrontation".

Former team-mate John Richards said he was a big man who "had a big heart as well".

Countless tributes have been paid on social media, with some fans also describing him as a terrific storyteller, regaling rooms with tales from his playing days.

News imageGetty Images A horizontal Phil Parkes holds on to a ball at Goodison Park, surrounded by five Wolves and Everton players. Floodlights illuminate the pitch with a large crowd in the stands Getty Images
His catch in December 1972 helped ensure a 0-1 win away at Goodison Park
News imageGetty Images A ball shoots just under a diving Parkes at Anfield. Six players are clustered around the goalmouth, with the packed stands in the backgroundGetty Images
However, Parkes was powerless to stop John Toshack's header a year earlier at Anfield, a game Liverpool would go on to win 3-2

Parkes would finish his career playing in the North American Soccer League, against and alongside some of the greats in the sport, including Pele, Eusebio, Johan Cruyff, George Best and Franz Beckenbaeur.

While at Vancouver, his young understudy was a certain Bruce Grobbelaar, who, Wolves said, even helped out off the pitch when Parkes needed a babysitter.

After returning from North America, Parkes settled back in Wolverhampton, playing cricket for Fordhouses and working as a roofer.

He would also go on to represent the club at numerous charitable and community events.

Three years ago, he was inducted into Wolves' Hall of Fame, with the club saying it was "of considerable relief that he was able to be honoured, as he should be" before his death.

News imageGetty Images Dozens of players gather around the goalmouth as a leaping Parkes attempt to punch a cross clear while under pressure from an opposition player. Again the stands are packed with fans in the backgroundGetty Images
No gloves here as Parkes and John Holsgrove attempt to stop Spurs scoring at White Hart Lane in 1969

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