Aston Villa is mourning the loss of a true club legend, Peter McParland, the final living player from their historic 1957 FA Cup-winning squad. Tributes are pouring in following his death.
McParland, who also earned 34 international caps for Northern Ireland, recently celebrated his 91st birthday before his passing, the club confirmed.
The Northern Irishman was a pivotal figure in the historic 2-1 victory against Manchester United at Wembley, scoring both of Villa`s goals. This marked the last occasion the club lifted the coveted FA Cup trophy.
He is also famously remembered for netting a dramatic extra-time winner against Rotherham United in 1961, securing the League Cup title for his team. This achievement made him the first footballer to score in the finals of both major domestic knockout cup competitions.
During a ten-year spell at Aston Villa, McParland made 341 appearances, scoring 121 goals.
His impact was equally significant for his national side, scoring five goals for Northern Ireland at the 1958 World Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals. He still holds the record as the highest-scoring Northern Irishman in World Cup history.
In a statement, the club expressed that it was “profoundly saddened” by the news of his death. It added: “The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Peter’s family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time.”
McParland was born in Newry, Northern Ireland, in April 1934 and began his football career with Dundalk FC.
He was later signed by then-Villa manager George Martin, making his debut at home against Wolves in September 1952.
The promising young player was still a teenager when he earned the first of his 34 international caps, scoring twice against Wales in 1954.
Alongside his FA Cup and League Cup triumphs, McParland also helped Villa secure the Second Division title in the 1959-60 season.
Praising his versatile talent, the club stated: “Equally at home at centre-forward as on the left wing, McParland boasted a powerful header of the ball as well as possessing a talented left foot.”
In January 1962, following his successful tenure at Villa, McParland transferred to Wolves for a fee of £35,000.
In the latter years of his career, he also had spells with Plymouth Argyle and Worcester City in England, as well as playing abroad for Toronto Inter-Roma in Canada and Atalanta Chiefs in the United States.
In 2015, Aston Villa welcomed McParland as a guest at the FA Cup final against Arsenal.
More recently, in January of this year, he attended a special exhibition at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery commemorating the club’s 150th anniversary.
