Life-Long Supporter Meets Football Hero for ‘Cup Final’ Coffee
Life-long Aston Villa supporter from Solihull, John Flanner MBE, had the opportunity to meet his hero Peter McParland MBE, who scored the goals that won the FA Cup Final for Aston Villa in 1957. The club legends met for coffee at Starbucks, Engineers Way, hours before the FA Cup final at Wembley.
John Flanner’s passion for Aston Villa started when he attended his first match with his Dad in 1956. Since then he has attended over 1000 matches, even after becoming permanently blind at the age of nineteen. Returning to Wembley 59 years on, John attended the game with his son, Ian Flanner, aged 36.
Explaining his passion for Villa and delight in meeting his hero, John said:
“Peter McParland was my first football hero, who I watched score the two goals that won us the Final in 1957 on my parents’ nine inch black and white television. It was an honour to meet him, sit down with a coffee and talk about the game I have loved for so many years.”
Awais Rasool, Store Manager at Starbucks, Engineers Way, said:
“It’s been great to welcome John and Peter to our store at Wembley for a ‘Cup Final Coffee’ on this monumental day. We wish everyone here today a great game!”
