Former UK boss of Kick Hi boot manufacturer Kickers Tony Parkin was “passionate about shoes“, according to those who knew the recently deceased manager best.

The footwear trade has been mourning the loss of Mr Parkin, who passed away suddenly at his home last week, Drapers reported.

Andy Rubin, chief executive at Pentland Brands, which owns the label, told the news provider that Mr Parkin – who was single-handedly responsible for the Kickers boom in the 1990s – was a unique character “who did things his way”.

“Tony Parkin worked for Pentland for 20 years. He started when the Kickers brand in the UK was a single shoe and he built the brand into what it is today,” he stated.

The industry will miss one of its great personalities, Mr Rubin continued.

Schuh managing director Colin Temple added that Kickers changed the way his label did business in 1990 by setting it off on a “branded journey”.

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