Tony Parkes was the 'heartbeat' of Blackburn's Premier League triumph who Kenny Dalglish cherished, writes IAN LADYMAN - he bravely battled Alzheimer's but never forgot football

More from Sports

• Leicester's title-winning boss Claudio Ranieri 'to leave Roma role after clashing with head coach' - just days after Foxes were relegated to League One

• Alex Scott breaks her silence after BBC scrapped 'woke' Football Focus: Presenter reveals she was going to QUIT iconic show before Beeb pulled the plug amid huge decline in viewing figures

• Let's be honest, washed-up Football Focus died long ago - it clung desperately to its survival but this once-great BBC icon was no longer fit for purpose, writes JONATHAN McEVOY

• Luke Littler buys race horse with darts rival after Cheltenham Festival exploits - with former England footballer's stable to train the mount

• Alan Shearer pinpoints the brutally-honest reality that should shame 'bonkers' Chelsea as Premier League legend joins fellow pundit Gary Neville in calling out club's hierarchy after Liam Rosenior's sacking

• Michael Carrick insists he will NOT press Sir Jim Ratcliffe for clarity over his Man United future after talks with co-owner with club chiefs mulling over permanent boss decision

• Millwall consider legal action against Westminster Council after club badge was depicted on illustration of KKK figure in children's educational booklet

• Ronnie O'Sullivan insists he did NOT move to Dubai for tax reasons - and reveals real motives for relocating with wife Laila Rouass

• Coventry chief admits they face battle to keep Frank Lampard amid links to Chelsea job after guiding club to Premier League promotion

• 'It's like my second home': How Ampthill 'proving ground' made Noah Caluori into a Saracens star - thanks to a crate of beer, a defensive guru and a kicking model

• Newcastle Confidential: Anthony Gordon's injury status for Arsenal clash revealed, the Premier League star on goalkeeper shortlist with Toon stopper leaving and where Eddie Howe is taking his players for pre-season

• How Gary Lineker is winning 'podcast war' with Gary Neville: Insiders reveal how his £14m World Cup Netflix show will look, the Times Square mega-studio, his return to 'Hand of God' stadium and why the BBC are being left behind

• Newcastle FA Cup history-maker - whose record Liverpool's Mohamed Salah narrowly missed out on last season - is set to be honoured at Wembley on semi-final weekend

• Scandals, social media faux pas and snubs from Saudi Arabian clubs - why Chelsea are ignoring John Terry's come-and-get-me pleas, writes RIATH AL-SAMARRAI

• JEREMY DOKU on how he can become the world's best winger... and why he thinks Man City delivered a 'mental punch' to Arsenal as Premier League race goes to the wire

• Liverpool Confidential Q&A: What's the latest with Arne Slot's future? Will Mac Allister be sold? Is Alisson also on the way out? What players are we targeting this summer? And is the club making a move for 'perfect fit' Adam Wharton?

• Under-fire Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa breaks silence on Kylian Mbappe 'liking' social media post about Jose Mourinho's potential return to the Bernabeu

• Revealed: County cricket's three-point plan to fix substitutes rules amid fears clubs could exploit new system

• Chelsea's runners and riders to replace Liam Rosenior: An ex-Blues star catching the eye in Europe, three Premier League bosses - and a title-winning manager NOT yet qualified to coach in the English top flight

• Kevin Pietersen reignites feud with fellow England legend Alastair Cook over Jacob Bethell's £250,000 IPL deal: 'He has absolutely NO IDEA'