Parkes: ‘The Offer Wasn’t Right’

Tony Parkes, interviewed in today`s Blackpool Gazette, has explained his reasons behind resigning as caretaker manager.

Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston yesterday stated in an interview with club secretary Matt Williams that Parkes had stepped down due to personal problems. As has been well documented, Tony`s wife is very unwell and Oyston claimed that Tony wished to spend more time with her, alleviating some of the pressure at home. However, according to Parkes, this is not the case.

Instead, it appears to have been a purely financial decision. He tells The Gazette that “I feel sad they offered me what they did after what I`d done. That is a regret. I felt that the offer that came was unjust and there was no way that I could accept it. I don`t want to cause a scene or a major problem, because I don`t want to go down that road of people saying I`m bitter and twisted. It`s just a shame that the offer wasn`t right. That was the main reason that I didn`t take the job.”

“I can walk away with my head held high, he adds. “I don`t have to apologise to anybody for turning down the job. I was brought in to do what I did – keep the club up – and probably overachieved I suppose. We had some terrific results and great days and they will stick with me for the rest of my life.

“I just thought that I deserved a bit better than what I got. I can`t understand why I got the kind of offer from what I`d done. That will be the thing that will always concern me.”

Karl Oyston has expressed his surprise at Tony`s interview, stating that “Tony didn`t indicate this as a reason when he told us of his decision.”

Another day, yet another PR blunder by the club.

Blackpool Vital would like to thank Tony Parkes for everything during his time at Blackpool as well as extending best wishes to his wife and family. What he did will not be forgotten.