Walter McFarland (1945 – 15 August 2014) was a Northern Irish footballer and coach, best known for his long career with Irish League side Crusaders during the 1960s and 1970s.
Biography
McFarland played as a defender for Crusaders from 1962 to 1976. During his tenure, he captained the team on many occasions, and the club competed in European competitions against sides such as Liverpool and Valencia. After his playing career, he became a coach at Crusaders and later served as Player/Manager of Ballyclare Comrades. He also captained the Belfast Showbiz Charity Team.
Beyond football, McFarland was an accomplished judoka. He became the first competitor from Northern Ireland to win the All-Ireland Judo Championship. In 1999, he won a silver medal at the World Veterans Championships, and he went on to become the World Masters Champion in 2001, a title he won on two occasions. He founded Abbey Judo Club in Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland.
In September 2007, McFarland was inducted into the Crusaders' Hall of Fame.
Honours
Crusaders
- Irish League (2): 1972/73, 1975/76
- Irish Cup (2): 1966/67, 1967/68
- County Antrim Shield (3): 1964/65, 1968/69, 1973/74
- Ulster Cup (1): 1963/64
- Carlsberg Cup (1): 1973/74
Note on spelling
The name "Walter McFarland" is also sometimes encountered as "Walter McFarlane" in public records and news articles, referring to a separate individual—a New Hampshire-based Republican businessman and political candidate active in the 2020s. These are distinct persons and should not be confused.
