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Ireland's first ever Football Film Festival kicked off at the Newry City Grounds tonight in spectacular fashion with guest of honour for the night, Newry's very own football legend Peter McParland, who came over from his home England to show his support for the festival.
McParland grew up in Newry and now lives in Bournemouth.
The 88 year old played in the League of Ireland for Dundalk as a teenager and on a trip to England an Aston Villa talent spotter noticed his potential and signed him up. He was the first ever player to score in and win both the FA Cup and League Cup finals.
The 1957 FA Cup Final between Aston Villa and Manchester United saw Villa win 2-1 with both goals scored by McParland. Tragically six of the 11 players who played for United at that match lost their lives in the Munich air crash just nine months later.
The first ever League Cup Final in 1961 saw Villa beat Rotherham 3-2 on agregate and once again the Newry man was to the fore scoring the winning goal.
Perhaps he is best remembered though for his time at Northern Ireland representing the team 34 times and while playing for them scoring a incredible five goals in the 1958 FIFA World Cup campaign ensuring his team got to the quarter finals. The 1958 competition also brought along a young chap called Pelé who managed to score just one more goal than McParland in the Campaign!
The Football Film Festival is a complete labour of love for festival organisers Gareth McCullough, James Irwin and Ally McKenzie who relished hosting the local legend. Visitors also enjoyed looking over an exhibition of Northern Ireland football memorabilia.
The Festival continues tomorrow and Sunday.
Saturday night there is a screening of I Believe in Miracles, a film that tells the story of football club Nottingham Forest's rise, under Brian Clough and Peter Taylor, to becoming English champions in 1978 and European champions in 1979 and 1980. The film features documentary footage of matches and interviews with many of the former Forest players who played at the time.
A highlight of Sunday night will be The Three Kings. Rising from industrial cities, Matt Busby, Bill Shankly and Jock Stein each became legendary football managers. Winning over the hearts of the fans, explore how they changed the face of the game
There are still some tickets left for events. To book or for more information please go to www.kickofffilmfestival.com
What's On
Saturday 23 July
12pm: Screening: Why are there no openly gay footballers? – followed by Q&A with filmmaker John Reavey
5pm: Respect Project Mental Health short video screening followed by The Play Off Newry City AFC screening
8pm: Screening: I Believe In Miracles (European Cup in attendance)
Sunday 24 July
1pm: Football Monologues
8pm: The Three Kings (European Cup in attendance)
