The Irish Football Association is saddened to learn of the passing of revered former international player, Peter McParland at the age of 91.
Peter was the last surviving member of the illustrious 1958 World Cup Finals team which reached the Quarter finals in Sweden, in no small measure thanks to the five goals he scored in the tournament, (one against Argentina, two against West Germany, and two against Czechoslovakia) earning himself legendary status amongst the Northern Ireland fans.
Primarily a winger, Peter was a forceful forward just as at home playing through the middle as on the wing and being regarded as one of the best headers of the ball of his time.
Born in Newry Co Down , Peter commenced his football career in Dundalk before being transferred to Aston Villa with whom he played for 10 years, a sojourn which included scoring both goals in the 1957 FA Cup Final against Manchester United, the last time that Villa won the prestigious trophy, and the extra time winner against Rotherham United to win the League Cup in 1961 thus becoming the first player to score in both domestic cup finals.
He won 34 caps for Northern Ireland from 1954 to 1962, including the World Cup Finals of 58, scoring 10 goals.
Whilst primarily with Aston Villa he also played for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Plymouth Argyle, in Canada and in the USA before finishing his career as player-manager of Glentoran.
More recently Peter was a regular visitor to Belfast for international games and was a guest of the Association in France during the Euros in 2016.
The President and the whole of the Irish Football Association send sincere condolences to Peter’s family and loved ones at this sad time.