Alan Shearer on

Alan Shearer was delighted to see Blackburn Rovers retain their Championship status as he paid tribute to the late Tony Parkes.

The Rovers legend was back at Ewood Park on Thursday evening as the club hosted their 150-year anniversary dinner. Shearer was among the ex-Rovers royalty at the event and received his honour cap for his role in the Premier League title win.

It was good timing with Rovers ensuring they will be a Championship club on Wednesday night at Bramall Lane. Shearer admits he was worried about their immediate future but thinks Michael O'Neill did a terrific job to steer them to safety.

"It's been a nervy time and it looked very worrying," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

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"Michael has come in and done a brilliant job. I am very intrigued to see what happens now, going forward.

"It's a bit of a relief to see Blackburn secure their status again in this league and they can hopefully move on to bigger and better things to start to improve again."

Shearer had hoped to make a guest appearance in front of the Ewood Park crowd but work commitments made that impractical. Upon his return, he reflected on four wonderful years and the 'honour' of being recognised by the club.

"It's always great coming back. I get a lovely reception," he continued.

"I have great memories. I had four incredible years here at Ewood Park. The people of Blackburn were amazing to me. It's four years that I will never forget and it's always great coming back.

"It's an honour to be back and get a cap. I have been watching very closely the number of players who have been getting them over the last few months and coming to Ewood Park.

"Unfortunately, I've not been able to make it on a Saturday or evening game because of other commitments. I was hoping to come on a Friday night on my way to Match of the Day and stay over but it didn't match up.

"To have the cap and to see so many people get awarded with them over the last few months and my name alongside that is great."

The dinner was poignantly timed, by coincidence, with the legendary Parkes sadly passing away on Wednesday night. The football world has come together to pay tribute to 'Mr Blackburn Rovers', who was synonymous with this football club.

Shearer joined many ex-Rovers in paying tribute over social media and expanded on how special Parkes was during his time at the club.

"I woke up to that news, unfortunately, this morning," he said.

"I know Tony hasn't been well for a while now. But Tony played a huge part in our success here. He was such a trustworthy bloke, a great, honest man, who worked incredibly hard.

"He probably loved this football club more than anyone. In his various roles over the years, coach, caretaker manager or just being a pal or a friend to everyone here and laughing and joking as he so often did.

"He would do anything for anyone and the football club as we saw over the years. Kenny, Ray and Jack all loved him, Robert Coar.

"All of that team who were brilliant from 1992 to 1996, everyone got so well and Tony epitomised that.

"Really, really sad news but I also think we should celebrate a great man because that's what he was in the blue and white of Blackburn."