Robert Plant and Steve Bull among 500 at funeral of Wolves great Phil Parkes | OneFootball

Robert Plant and Steve Bull were among those at the funeral of former Wolves goalkeeper Phil Parkes on Wednesday at St Peter’s Collegiate Church in Wolverhampton. According to ExpressAndStar.com, around 500 mourners gathered to pay their respects.

Wolves greats Peter Knowles, John Richards and Derek Parkin were among the former players present. His coffin, draped in a Wolves flag, paused at Molineux and was greeted by supporters.

Parkes died on August 8 aged 79. He spent 18 years at Molineux and made 382 first-team appearances between 1966 and 1978. Nicknamed Lofty for his six ft three in frame, he became one of the club’s most recognisable figures.

Club vice-chairman Plant said Parkes embodied a plain-speaking era, praising his charm, guile, humour and outstanding ability.

Richard Green of the Wolves Former Players Association recalled watching Parkes train at Castlecroft and said he seemed to fill the goal. He added Parkes raised thousands for New Cross Hospital before and after the death of his wife Maureen, and was a popular presence at community events.

Green also told how, after moving to Vancouver Whitecaps, Parkes was recalled when Paul Bradshaw fell ill and helped Wolves beat West Ham 2-1, his Molineux swansong.

Away from football, Parkes played for Fordhouses Cricket Club as a bowler and often umpired junior matches. Steve Saul said he cherished a match-winning 14 not out, including two sixes.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com

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