Aston Villa is mourning the death of club legend Peter McParland, the last surviving member of their 1957 FA Cup-winning team. Tributes are pouring in following his passing.
The club confirmed that McParland, a Northern Ireland international with 34 caps, died shortly after celebrating his 91st birthday.
He was a key figure in Villa`s historic 2-1 victory over Manchester United in the 1957 FA Cup final at Wembley, scoring both of his team`s goals. This was the last time Villa won the competition.
McParland also secured the League Cup for Villa in 1961 with a dramatic extra-time winning goal against Rotherham United, becoming the first player to score in the finals of both major domestic cup competitions.
Across a decade with Aston Villa, he made 341 appearances, scoring 121 goals.
His impact extended to the international stage; he was a vital part of the Northern Ireland team that reached the quarter-finals of the 1958 World Cup, scoring five goals. He still holds the record for the most goals scored by a Northern Irishman in a World Cup.
In a statement expressing profound sadness, Aston Villa Football Club said, “The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Peter’s family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time.”
Born in Newry, Northern Ireland, in April 1934, McParland started his career at Dundalk FC before being signed by Aston Villa manager George Martin. He made his Villa debut against Wolves in September 1952.
A promising young talent, he earned his first of 34 international caps for Northern Ireland as a teenager in 1954, scoring two goals against Wales.
Beyond the FA Cup and League Cup triumphs, McParland also contributed to Villa winning the Second Division title in the 1959-60 season.
The club highlighted his versatility and skill, noting, “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.”
After leaving Villa in January 1962 for Wolves (£35,000), his later career included spells at Plymouth Argyle, Worcester City, Toronto Inter-Roma (Canada), and Atalanta Chiefs (USA).
McParland remained connected to the club, attending the 2015 FA Cup final as a guest and a special exhibition marking Villa`s 150th anniversary in January this year.
Marcus Bellamy