Aaron Hughes vs Peter McParland
Northern Ireland against Northern Ireland. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Aaron Hughes
Northern Ireland · CB
- Almanac rating
- 87
- Rank in Northern Ireland
- #5 of 33
- Caps
- 112 · 1 goals
- Clubs
- Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Fulham
- Honours
- Hall of Fame
A cornerstone of the Northern Ireland defence for decades, Aaron Hughes was a calm, composed, and always reliable centre-back. Career record: 112 caps and 1 goals for Northern Ireland; club career at Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Fulham; honours include Hall of Fame.
Peter McParland
Northern Ireland · 1952–1971 · LM
- Almanac rating
- 87
- Rank in Northern Ireland
- #10 of 33
- Caps
- 34 · 10 goals
- Clubs
- Aston Villa, Plymouth Argyle, Atlanta Chiefs
- Honours
- Hall of Fame
Both Aston Villa goals in the 1957 FA Cup final were his, struck against a Manchester United side reduced by his infamous sixth-minute collision with goalkeeper Ray Wood. A year later he scored five times at the 1958 World Cup to carry Northern Ireland into the quarter-finals, and in 1961 he added the League Cup to that Wembley winner's medal. Career record: 34 caps and 10 goals for Northern Ireland; club career at Aston Villa, Plymouth Argyle, Atlanta Chiefs; honours include Hall of Fame.
The verdict
The almanac cannot separate them: both are rated 87.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.