Sadly we lost the last of our FA Cup winning team of 1957 on Sunday, when Peter McParland passed away, aged 91. Peter scored both of Villa's goals in our 2-1 Wembley win against Manchester United's "Busby Babes". Peter's brace of goals brought the cup back to Villa Park for what was then, a record seventh time and we are still awaiting our eighth. Peter also became the first player to score in both cup finals in 1961, when he scored our winner in the first League Cup final.
Peter was born in Newry and was capped for Northern Ireland 34 times, appearing at the 1958 World Cup finals in Sweden, at which he scored 5 goals. He joined Villa in 1952 and scored 121 goals in his 341 games in the claret & blue. Peter played on the left wing and also at centre forward, during his 10 years at the club.
Peter regularly returned to Villa Park over the years from his home on the South coast. He also regularly attended Villa matches including the 2015 FA Cup Final and attended an exhibition marking the club's 150th anniversary at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery in January. Peter said, "I loved playing for the club" and we loved having him playing for us. RIP Peter, HEITS!
1 Peter in 1958, 2 One of his 1957 goals, 3 The winning team, 4 Proud as Punch, 5 On his 90th with Gary Shaw 6 January at the Art Gallery, 7 Waving to the fans, next to Charlie Aitken at Villa Park with the cup.