Ipswich Town players past and present, plus fans, have been paying tribute to club stalwart Dick Parker.
Parker, who had worked at the club for 20 years, most recently as Academy kit man and caretaker at the training ground, died at the weekend.
Blues boss Mick McCarthy led the tributes yesterday, saying: “It’s desperately sad news. It has affected everyone at the club. He was much-loved by the players, by all the staff at the training ground.
“He would be the first one in and the last one to leave. The club will have to employ three people to replace him.
“He was a big character, a big personality. Even the eight-year-old Academy boys loved him and called him the giant.
“He was a gentle giant and he will be missed greatly by us all.”
And players ranging from star goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski to ex-fan favourite Matt Holland have since added their own tributes on Twitter.
Town fans, too, have been quick to add their personal tributes on social media.
- Did you know Dick Parker? What are your memories of him?
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