Peter McParland

Football player infobox
playername= Peter McParland


fullname = Peter James McParland
height = height|ft=6|in=1
weight =
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1934|4|25
cityofbirth = Newry
countryofbirth = Northern Ireland
currentclub =
clubnumber =
position = Striker (retired)
years = 19??-1952
1952-1962
1962-1963
1963-1964
1967-1968
clubs = Dundalk
Aston Villa
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Plymouth Argyle
Atlanta Chiefs
caps(goals) = 00? 0(?)
293 (98)
021 (10)
038 (15)
054 (14)
nationalyears = 1954-1962
nationalteam = Northern Ireland
nationalcaps(goals) = 034 (10)

Peter James McParland, MBE (b. 25 April 1934, Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland) is a former professional footballer.

Playing career

Dundalk & Aston Villa

McParland was spotted playing for Dundalk in the League of Ireland by Aston Villa manager George Martin. Martin signed McParland for a fee of £3,880.

During his time with Aston Villa, McParland won the FA Cup with in 1957, scoring twice in the final against Manchester United but also becoming involved in a controversial incident in which he shoulder charged (at the time a legitimate form of challenge) the Manchester United keeper after only 6 minutes which left United's goalkeeper, Ray Wood, unconscious with a broken cheekbone. Wood left the pitch for a period and returned after a while (substitutes had not yet been introduced) but was a virtual passenger in an outfield position for most of the match before returning to goal as United chased the game.He also won the Second Division title in 1960 and the League Cup in 1961 while with Aston Villa.

Wolverhampton Wanderers & Plymouth Argyle

Following Aston Villa, McParland joined local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1962. Although he was only there for one season, he did manage to score 10 goals in 21 games. The following season McParland moved on to Plymouth Argyle, his third and final English league club (although he later turned out for Worcester City in the old Southern League), before hanging up his boots.

McParland played for the Atlanta Chiefs of the North American Soccer League in 1967 and 1968. ^{[http://www.nasljerseys.com/Players/M/McParland.Peter.htm]}

Northern Ireland

McParland represented Northern Ireland 34 times and scored twice in his debut against Wales in 1953-54 season.

He also starred for Northern Ireland in the 1958 FIFA World Cup in which he scored five goals and helped his team to the quarter-finals. France defeated Northern Ireland 4-0 in the quarter-final.

External links

*soccerbase|5300|Peter McParland