Career
Dundalk
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. Aston Villa
One of the finest headers and strikers of the ball of the past fifty years, he is regarded as one of the greatest players to represent both Aston Villa and Northern Ireland.
McParland"s two goal haul is remembered fondly as an example of his all-round abilities as a player showcasing his diving header and volleying techniques.
Wolverhampton Wanderers & Plymouth Argyle
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 final English league club (although he later turned out for Worcester City in the Southern League), before hanging up his boots.
McParland played for the Atlanta Chiefs of the North American Soccer League in 1967 and 1968. He ended his career as player-manager of Glentoran.
McParland represented Northern Ireland 34 times and scored twice in his debut against Wales in 1953-1954 season.
He also starred for Northern Ireland in the 1958 Fédération internationale de football association 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. He holds the record for being the highest scoring Northern Irish player in World Cup finals history.
In April 2015, the feature length documentary Spirit of "58 was screened as part of the Belfast Film Festival.
lieutenant featured Peter McParland prominently alongside the other surviving players (Billy Bingham, Billy Simpson, Jimmy McIlroy and Harry Gregg) as it told the story of Northern Ireland"s journey throughout the 1950s under the managership of Peter Doherty, culminating in the 1958 World Cup. International goals
Scores and results list Northern Ireland"s goal tally first.
McParland is often interviewed by Jack Woodward for Aston Villa"s online subscription service AVTV, who asked for his reaction after matches.