IT was a score which left one Grandstand presenter flabbergasted, saying: “I think that is wrong. We’ll check that”.
But the 4-1 win wasn’t a mistake, becoming one of the greatest days in Partick Thistle’s history when they defeated favourites Celtic in the shock League Cup final of 1971.
Presiding over the famous victory was manager Davie McParland, who had just led the side back to the First Division.
Partick Thistle confirmed the club legend had died, aged 83, on Saturday.
Known for his long association with the club and his prolific youth work, the announcement came a day after Thistle said it was to name their new training ground outside Kirkintilloch after the Jags star.
Speaking on the team’s website, Chairman Jacqui Low said he was known as a “ true gentleman of the game”.
“For him to leave us the day after the name was announced is heartbreaking. But Davie knew about it and It will be a fitting tribute to a man whose like we will never see again.”
The Jags hall of fame inductee had a 21-year association with the club, playing 584 times and scoring 104 goals, before going on to manage the team for four years between 1970 and 1974.
As an assistant manager at Thistle, he helped implement a successful youth policy which led to the team bringing in a talented crop of young players.
He then led Thistle to promotion to the top division in his first season as manager before clinching the ‘71 League Cup Win
His career also spanned the breadth of the city, having roles in three of the four Glasgow teams, leaving Partick Thistle in 1974 to become Head Coach at lower league Queens Park.
He later went on to assist Jock Stein at the Celtic in 1997 when they went on to win another double in 1977 and Hamilton Accies from 1978–1982.
He also had spells as Head of Youth Development at Airdrie, Dunfermline and Motherwell.
A Jags club statement said: “Partick Thistle Football Club is deeply saddened to learn that former manager, hall of fame inductee and Thistle legend, David McParland has today passed away.
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