A list of all of the appearances of this player in football cards in the period 1965/66 to 1979/80 appears at the foot of this page.
 

1969/70 FKS,
The Wonderful World of Soccer Stars, No. 83

1970/71 A&BC Gum,
Footballers (orange backs), No. 110

1971/72 A&BC Gum,
Footballers (purple backs), No. 33

1971/72 Top Sellers,
Football 72, No. 94

1973/74 A&BC Gum,
Crinkle cuts, No. 2

1973/74 Esso
Top Team Coin Collection

1973/74 Esso
Top Team Coin Collection sachet

1974/75 FKS,
The Wonderful World of Soccer Stars, No. 94

1975/76 Monty Gum,
Football

1975/76 Topps Chewing Gum,
Footballers (Red/grey backs), No. 106

Roy Leslie McFarland was born on April 5, 1948 in Liverpool.

He began his league football career at Tranmere Rovers in the 1966/67 season, when Tranmere were in the old Fourth Division. After Brian Clough and Peter Taylor took over at Derby County in May 1967 they made McFarland one of their first transfer targets, signing up the 19-year old in August of that year.

The 1969/70 FKS Wonderful World of Soccer Stars album notes: "Liverpool born pivot who came into prominence with Tranmere Rovers during their promotion season 1966/67 and was transferred to Derby County in August 1967 for £25,000."

In their first season under Clough, Derby finished a disappointing 18th in the Second Division. They conceded 78 goals, more than any other team in the Division. However, the following season (1968/69) they topped the Division, conceding only 32 goals in 42 games. The difference was almost certainly Dave Mackay, who joined Derby in May 1968 and partnered McFarland at the back.

The 21 year-old McFarland was featured in the 'Focus on...' segment in the second ever edition of the Shoot magazine issued on 23 August 1969. Among the information reported there:

McFarland made his England Under-23 team debut in 1969, going on to make five appearances at this level. While tipped for full England honours at any early age, he narrowly missed out on selection for Mexico 70, making his full England debut in 1971.

The 1970/71 A&BC Gum World Cup Footballers set included McFarland in their 37 selections, and noted on the card: "Now valued far above the £24,000 that Derby paid Tranmere Rovers for him in August 1967. McFarland has already represented England at Under-23 level and is on the verge of the full international side. Very strong and powerful, especially in the air, his steady performances were one of the main factors behind Derby's success last season."

The 1970/71 FKS album notes: "Naturally left-footed centre-half with attacking flair... Has won Under-23 honours for England and has been selected for full training."

The 1971/72 A&BC purple back card notes his first England appearance: "Capped by England at full international level last season (February 1971) for their game against Malta, McFarland is one of the most promising centre halves in the country. Signed from Tranmere Rovers, McFarland is approaching 150 appearances for Derby, and has scored some vital goals for the club".

Interestingly, the 1971/72 Top Sellers, Football 72 card adds: "...showed that a centre-half's job can be made to look artistic".

After finishing 4th in their return season in the First Division, and then 9th in the season after that, Derby County went on to top the First Division in 1971/72 in one of the tightest season finishes ever. McFarland was the team captain, with Dave Mackay having left the club the previous season.

Following their Championship win Derby finished 7th in 1972/73 and then 3rd in 1973/74. McFarland was at the centre of the Derby defence, making 38 league appearances in each of the 71/72, 72/73 and 73/74 seasons.

Derby County were Champions again in 1974/75. McFarland, however, missed most of the season, having severed his achilles tendon in May, 1974, while playing for England against Northern Ireland.

The Soccer Super Stars of Britain card notes: "Big strongman No. 5 and one of the games top defenders. His first club was Tranmere Rovers, for whom he made 35 appearances before Derby paid £25,000 for him in 1967. He soon became the power at the heart of the County defence and skippered them to the Championship in 1972. Serious injury restricted his appearances for Derby and England last season - but now he's back to his best".

The 1976/77 FKS album notes: "Injury hit in recent times but has come back".

Upon his return from injury McFarland slotted straight back into the Rams defence. He made 37 league appearances in 1975/76 (Derby finishing 4th), 31 in 1976/77 (15th), 26 in 1977/78 (12th), 24 in 1978/79 (19th) and then 20 in their relegation season 1979/80.

McFarland continued on with Derby in the Second Division, with 23 appearances in 1980/81, though by this time he had relinquished the captaincy to Steve Powell.

In 1981 Roy McFarland turned his hand to management while also continuing on as a player with Bradford City. He returned to the Baseball Ground, and was made caretaker manager in April 1984 at the end of a disastrous season when Derby finished 20th and were relegated to the Third Division (under McFarland they won four, drew one and lost four, but were relegated anyway).

McFarland returned to management in the 1990s, again with Derby County, and has remained in management ever since.

In all McFarland made a total of 517 league appearances in a career spanning 17 years. His last four appearances as a player were as a substitute in the Second Division. His last match was played at Portsmouth on 10 December 1983 when Derby lost 0-3.

His last appearance for his country was in a 0-2 loss to Italy in a World Cup Qualifier in Rome on 17 November 1976. He made a total of 28 full appearances for England.

Roy McFarland, a star player in a star team of the time who has added to his lengthy playing career with an equally lengthy career in management.

1970/71 A&BC Gum,
World Cup Footballers

1970/71 FKS,
The Wonderful World of Soccer Stars, No. 99

1971/72 FKS,
The Wonderful World of Soccer Stars, No. 69

1972/73 FKS,
The Wonderful World of Soccer Stars, No. 84

1973/74 FKS,
The Wonderful World of Soccer Stars, No. 72

1974/75 A&BC Gum
Footballers (Red backs), No. 11

1975/76 IPC Magazines
Soccer Super Stars of Britain, No. 52

1978/79 Topps Chewing Gum,
Footballers (Orange backs), No. 125