Aston Villa and Northern Ireland forward Peter McParland has passed away aged 91.

Played in the 1958 World Cup - with a certain Jimmy McIlroy - where he scored five goals.

He was the last of that squad to die.

RIP

Always seemed to score against us for Villa. RIP

Won the FA Cup for Villa in 1957 scored a hat trick; 2 goals and broke Ray Woods cheek bone which reduced Man U to an effective 10 men. Jackie Blanchflower (Danny's brother) kept goal from about the 5th minute.

mdd2 wrote: ↑

Mon May 05, 2025 12:35 pm

Won the FA Cup for Villa in 1957 scored a hat trick; 2 goals and broke Ray Woods cheek bone which reduced Man U to an effective 10 men. Jackie Blanchflower (Danny's brother) kept goal from about the 5th minute.

RIP Peter.
Slightly before my watching began but everybody of our era has heard the Cup Final story.
A famous cup final memory.

Very much part of my early days as a Claret. Although not a centre forward( he wore no 11) in the traditional sense he was good in the air, a bit like Cliff Jones at Spurs who was also a great header of the ball and also wore the no11 shirt. Part of a Northern Ireland team with Mc and others I recall like Billy Bingham. Wilbur Cush, Danny Blanchflower, Harry Gregg in goal and both Newcastle full backs, Dick Keith and Alf McMichael. RIP Peter McParland.

mdd2 wrote: ↑

Mon May 05, 2025 12:35 pm

Won the FA Cup for Villa in 1957 scored a hat trick; 2 goals and broke Ray Woods cheek bone which reduced Man U to an effective 10 men. Jackie Blanchflower (Danny's brother) kept goal from about the 5th minute.

Blanchflower was the only outfield player ever to play in a Cup Final wearing a flat cap !!

Remember him well. He was a superb athlete and took advantage of his height. Condolences to his family but lived to a good age.

Although he survived Munich I don’t think he played again
after the crash as he was badly injured and was only 65 when he passed
Of that 57 Cup Final 11 six died in the air crash,Blanchflower
and John Berry never played again

Can just about remember him but he was the player who John Angus struggled against.

Well before my time but I've just watched the Pathe News video of the 1957 FA Cup Final.
I appreciate that this was a time when goalkeepers were considered 'fair game', but McParland's charge was just a diabolical assault.
Here is the Pathe News video: https://youtu.be/Oi_LOP3RIMo?si=Aas1b-5eCyZEFWjE

And if you watch highlights of the FA Cup Final the following year between United and Bolton you will see Harry Gregg charged into the net by Nat Lofthouse in a similar way to the one by Mc Parland on Ray Wood the previous year.

I remember being at an Irish cricket international a few years ago and asking some old Northern Ireland lads , who was the best player in that 1958 team and the teams of that era, Danny Blanchflower, Billy Bingham, Jimmy McIlroy, McParland etc. I was talking to about 4 old lads, and they all replied, 'Jimmy McIlroy'.

cricketfield73 wrote: ↑

Mon May 05, 2025 7:07 pm

Well before my time but I've just watched the Pathe News video of the 1957 FA Cup Final.
I appreciate that this was a time when goalkeepers were considered 'fair game', but McParland's charge was just a diabolical assault.
Here is the Pathe News video: https://youtu.be/Oi_LOP3RIMo?si=Aas1b-5eCyZEFWjE

About an hour late!

cricketfield73 wrote: ↑

Mon May 05, 2025 7:07 pm

Well before my time but I've just watched the Pathe News video of the 1957 FA Cup Final.
I appreciate that this was a time when goalkeepers were considered 'fair game', but McParland's charge was just a diabolical assault.
Here is the Pathe News video: https://youtu.be/Oi_LOP3RIMo?si=Aas1b-5eCyZEFWjE

That's how it was back then. Mind you, if they'd tried that with Adam Blacklaw I can assure you there would have been retribution.

was thinking about our Adam. That there was little or no defence for keepers until well into the 70's meant having someone like Adam was truly amazing as the bad and ugly bounced off him. Didnt he remove a tooth from Brian Douglas?
Wasnt unknown for Adam to miss the ball and punch the head of the odd striker-loved watching those tussles although I think Bobby Smith (Spurs) got the better of him at times.
Happy days.

RIP, Peter.

cricketfield73 wrote: ↑

Mon May 05, 2025 7:07 pm

Well before my time but I've just watched the Pathe News video of the 1957 FA Cup Final.
I appreciate that this was a time when goalkeepers were considered 'fair game', but McParland's charge was just a diabolical assault.
Here is the Pathe News video: https://youtu.be/Oi_LOP3RIMo?si=Aas1b-5eCyZEFWjE

That all changed when Adam came onto the scene and started bashing centre forwards about

mdd2 wrote: ↑

Tue May 06, 2025 12:00 pm

was thinking about our Adam. That there was little or no defence for keepers until well into the 70's meant having someone like Adam was truly amazing as the bad and ugly bounced off him. Didnt he remove a tooth from Brian Douglas?
Wasnt unknown for Adam to miss the ball and punch the head of the odd striker-loved watching those tussles although I think Bobby Smith (Spurs) got the better of him at times.
Happy days.

Didn't a Blackburn fan once run on the pitch at Ewood in the 1960s and attack Adam Blacklaw. He was knocked out ,after one punch and had to be carried off the pitch?

Longford Claret wrote: ↑

Tue May 06, 2025 2:24 pm

Didn't a Blackburn fan once run on the pitch at Ewood in the 1960s and attack Adam Blacklaw. He was knocked out ,after one punch and had to be carried off the pitch?

New Year’s Day 1966. Adam saw him coming and just blocked him with his arm.

Not sure whether he’s regained consciousness yet though.