Northern Ireland and Aston Villa legend Peter McParland dies at 91
Peter McParland, legendary Northern Ireland forward and Aston Villa icon, has died at the age of 91.
A true footballing hero, McParland remains best known for scoring twice in Aston Villa's famous 2-1 victory over Manchester United in the 1957 FA Cup final—the last time the club lifted the prestigious trophy.
The County Down-born striker earned 34 caps for Northern Ireland and holds the national record for most goals scored at World Cup finals. His five goals at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden helped Northern Ireland reach an incredible quarter-final finish, a feat unmatched since.
McParland joined Aston Villa in 1952 from Dundalk and went on to score 121 goals in 341 appearances for the club. His impact extended beyond the FA Cup, helping Villa secure the Second Division title in the 1959-60 season and netting the decisive goal in extra time of the 1961 League Cup final against Rotherham United.
Aston Villa said in a statement, 'Peter McParland, the last surviving member of the 1957 FA Cup-winning team, has passed away. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.'
His career also included spells with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Plymouth Argyle, Toronto Inter-Roma, Atlanta Chiefs, and a final stint as player-manager at Glentoran, where he led the team to a league title in 1969-70 before retiring in 1971.
McParland's passing marks the end of an era in both Northern Ireland and Aston Villa's rich football history.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Mbappe ‘not bitter' about PSG's Champions League triumph
STUTTGART: France captain Kylian Mbappe said Saturday he is not bitter Paris Saint-Germain won the Champions League the year after his departure for Real Madrid. 'I didn't leave too soon; my story with PSG was over. I am not bitter; I had reached the end of the road,' Mbappe said in a press conference ahead of Sunday's Nations League third place match against Germany in Stuttgart. PSG crushed Inter Milan 5-0 to win the Champions League in Munich last Saturday, the first time the club has won the competition. 'I tried everything, and it was destiny that meant it had to happen without me,' said Mbappe. 'PSG winning the Champions League without me doesn't affect me. I was happy, I think they deserved it. Ballon d'Or 'should go to Champions League winner', says Ronaldo 'They've had so many years where they struggled. I've been there too; I've played in every Champions League stage in Paris except for the victory. 'They're the best team in Europe. 'I don't remember seeing a team win 5-0 in a major final.' Mbappe has repeated his desire to win Europe's biggest club competition, but the closest the Paris-born forward got with his boyhood club was losing the final in 2020 to Bayern Munich. The 26-year-old moved to Madrid in the summer of 2024 hoping to lift the Champions League, but the Spanish giants crashed out in the quarter-finals of the competition to Arsenal in April. Real failed to win a trophy in the 2024-25 season, their first campaign without silverware in four years.
Express Tribune
16 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Brazil held in Ancelotti debut
Carlo Ancelotti's debut as coach of Brazil ended in a goalless draw in Ecuador in South American World Cup qualifying on Thursday. The 65-year-old Italian, who left Real Madrid at the end of the European season, has been charged with taking Brazil through the latter stages of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The former AC Milan and Chelsea manager replaced Dorival Junior, who was sacked at the end of March after the 4-1 thrashing at the hands of reigning champions and bitter rivals Argentina. Thursday's result leaves the Selecao in fourth place in the qualifying table on 22 points while Ecuador, the surprise package in the campaign, remain in second place on 24 points. Argentina, who face Chile later on Thursday, lead the standings on 32 points and are the only team to have officially secured their place in the tournament which will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Paraguay, who enjoyed a 2-0 win over Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay, sit in third place, level on points with Ecuador. Ecuador knew a win would put them on the brink of qualification and there was a packed crowd at the Estadio Monumental in Guayaquil. But the home side were dealt a blow just before kick-off when goalkeeper Hernan Galindez suffered a muscle strain in the warm-up and replacement Gonzalo Valle was hurriedly sent out to make his debut. If Valle had any nerves they eased when he did well to parry a shot from inside the box from Vinicius Jr. who had been set up by Gerson following a turnover. Chances were limited in a contest where neither side was able to get control of midfield. The pattern continued after the break with Ecuador, missing their injured striker and talisman Enner Valencia, struggling to pose a threat. Real Madrid star Vinicius was quiet for much of the game and with Rodrygo absent, Brazil also lacked potency in attack. The best opening came in the 75th minute when Vinicius broke down the left and cut back to Casemiro.
Express Tribune
16 hours ago
- Express Tribune
South Africa name squad for Zimbabwe Test
South Africa have unveiled their squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Zimbabwe, set to begin later this month in Bulawayo. The squad features five uncapped players, with 19-year-old batting sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorius headlining the selection following his breakout performances in domestic cricket. Joining Pretorius in line for a potential Test debut are Dewald Brevis, Lesego Senokwane, Codi Yusuf, and Prenelan Subrayen. The series does not fall under the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27, as Zimbabwe are not part of the current cycle. It will instead serve as a developmental opportunity for head coach Shukri Conrad to test new talent and build squad depth ahead of the 20252027 WTC cycle. With the future in mind, senior players such as Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada have been rested. Veteran seamer Dane Paterson, who is not part of the squad, is also reportedly considering retirement following the recent Lord's Test. Pretorius has made an immediate impact in first-class cricket, scoring three centuries in his first five matches, including one in the domestic red-ball final. He currently averages an impressive 65.57. Brevis, who was part of the squad that toured Bangladesh last year but did not get a game, has earned his call-up through consistent domestic performances. He finished second in the run charts of the first-class season with 573 runs in 12 innings at an average of 47.75, including two centuries and two half-centuries. Brevis initially rose to prominence as the leading run-scorer in the 2022 ICC Under-19 World Cup. Kwena Maphaka, who made his debut earlier this year against Pakistan, will lead the pace attack alongside Lungi Ngidi. "Nandre has been cleared to play T20s. We'll reintroduce him gradually, starting with the shortest format, before "Nandre has been given the all-clear by the medical team to play T20s. The plan is to ease him back into the game, starting with the shortest format, and then slowly work him up to the longer formats," Conrad said. "We'll be keeping a close eye on how he handles the workload as he builds toward playing Test cricket again. "Lizaad is progressing well and is currently in the final phase of his rehabilitation from his knee surgery." Notably absent is Anrich Nortje, who was set to feature in the previous summer's Tests but declined a central contract. Nortje has not played international cricket since the 2024 T20 World Cup final and has only appeared in two IPL matches since then, having dealt with multiple injuries, including a broken toe. South Africa Test Squad for Zimbabwe Series: Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne, Codi Yusuf.
