Peter McParland 90 today

[Villa Lew]

Yeah the great man turns 90 today, my first Villa hero and the first Villa match I watched was the 57 Final, his 2 goals are still fresh in my memory all those years ago. I had the pleasure of meeting him at the 2000 final outside Wemnbley, where he was chatting to the fans, a gentleman as well as a great footballer. 121 goals in 341 appearances is a great record for a winger.

[Dogtanian]

Happy birthday to the big man.

[lovejoy]

How many of the class of 57 are left? I thinks it’s just him.

[Flamingo Lane]

Happy Birthday to him. I hope he enjoys the day.

[Dogtanian]

https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2024/april/25/club-legends-come-together-as-mcparland-turns-90-/

[Brend'Watkins]

Yeah the great man turns 90 today, my first Villa hero and the first Villa match I watched was the 57 Final, his 2 goals are still fresh in my memory all those years ago. I had the pleasure of meeting him at the 2000 final outside Wemnbley, where he was chatting to the fans, a gentleman as well as a great footballer. 121 goals in 341 appearances is a great record for a winger.

I too met him before the game just as we entered Wembley. He seemed a bit taken aback and flattered that people so young knew about him. He was a gentleman and accepted my request to autograph the Advertising magazine/match programme for me. I’ve got it somewhere.

[Chico Hamilton III]

How many of the class of 57 are left? I thinks it’s just him.

He’s the only surviving member from both teams from that final. 6 of the Man United starting lineup would be dead within a year of that game

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

[Martyn Smith]

There's a lovely, ledge overload photo on the app of Gary Shaw presenting him with a McParland 90 shirt.

Bloody pollen coming in through the window...

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

How many of the class of 57 are left? I thinks it’s just him.

I think he might be our oldest surviving player.

[dave.woodhall]

How many of the class of 57 are left? I thinks it’s just him.

He’s the only surviving member from both teams from that final. 6 of the Man United starting lineup would be dead within a year of that game

He's also the sole survivor of Northern Ireland's 1958 World Cup squad.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

How many of the class of 57 are left? I thinks it’s just him.

I think he might be our oldest surviving player.

Think you are right with that. When Jimmy McEwan died in 2017 aged 88 he was widely reported as having been the oldest.

[Ricky]

I was fortunate enough to meet him two years ago and have a chat.  A true legend of ours, the game and as many have said a true gentleman. 

He told me a story how he was friends with Duncan Edwards and while on holiday one summer with him and a few other footballers Edwards in his eagerness to get out of the hotel and go for a kick about jumped in the air pretending to head a ball and smashed the light bulb.  How he spoke of the Villa, Northern Ireland and his ex teammates was very touching.

I hope he gets to see us lift the cup and has many more years ahead.

[robleflaneur]

My first Villa hero especially when he signed my football annual photo of him.
Best wishes.

[Hillbilly]

Not bad for a winger trying to be a striker.

For a small town Newry has done well to produce Peter Mc and Pat Jennings.

And the reason I was born a Villa fan.