Ian Donald (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Ian Richard Donald is a Scottish
former footballer who played as a full back for Manchester United
, Partick Thistle
and Arbroath
in the 1970s. He later took up a position on the Aberdeen
board of directors, before eventually becoming chairman in 1994.
, Donald was a promising Scotland schoolboy international when he was picked up by Manchester United
as a 16-year-old in 1968. He turned professional a year later, and made his United debut on 7 October 1970, when he played at right back in the club's 1–0 victory over Portsmouth
in the League Cup
Third Round. However, it was nearly two years before Donald made another appearance for United, returning to action in the club's 3–0 victory at home to Derby County
on 23 September 1972. It looked like Donald was on the verge of an extended run in the first team under Frank O'Farrell
, but when O'Farrell was replaced by Tommy Docherty
in December 1972, he suddenly found himself out of favour. He transferred to Partick Thistle
in January 1973.
Donald was not with Partick for long, however, only making one appearance for the club before the end of the 1972–73 season, when he was transferred to Arbroath
. In two seasons with Arbroath, though, Donald only managed four league appearances and he retired from playing at the end of the 1974–75 season.
In 1980, Donald was appointed to the board of directors at Aberdeen
, before rising to the position of vice-chairman by 1986, and then becoming chairman in 1994. He left the post in 1998, and remained on the board until 2004, when he was appointed as the club's honorary president.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
former footballer who played as a full back for Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
and Arbroath
Arbroath F.C.
Arbroath F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. They were founded in 1878 and currently play their home matches at Gayfield, Arbroath, Angus. They play in maroon strips, and are nicknamed "The Red Lichties" due to the red light that used to guide...
in the 1970s. He later took up a position on the Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
board of directors, before eventually becoming chairman in 1994.
Career
Born in AberdeenAberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, Donald was a promising Scotland schoolboy international when he was picked up by Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
as a 16-year-old in 1968. He turned professional a year later, and made his United debut on 7 October 1970, when he played at right back in the club's 1–0 victory over Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
Third Round. However, it was nearly two years before Donald made another appearance for United, returning to action in the club's 3–0 victory at home to Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
on 23 September 1972. It looked like Donald was on the verge of an extended run in the first team under Frank O'Farrell
Frank O'Farrell
Francis 'Frank' O'Farrell is an Irish former football player and manager.-Early:Frank O'Farrell started his playing career with Cork United, but followed his former Cork teammate, Tommy Moroney to West Ham United in January 1948. A quietly spoken, but nonetheless determined and talented wing-half,...
, but when O'Farrell was replaced by Tommy Docherty
Tommy Docherty
Thomas Henderson "Tommy" Docherty , commonly known as "The Doc", is a Scottish former footballer and football manager.-Playing career:...
in December 1972, he suddenly found himself out of favour. He transferred to Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
in January 1973.
Donald was not with Partick for long, however, only making one appearance for the club before the end of the 1972–73 season, when he was transferred to Arbroath
Arbroath F.C.
Arbroath F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. They were founded in 1878 and currently play their home matches at Gayfield, Arbroath, Angus. They play in maroon strips, and are nicknamed "The Red Lichties" due to the red light that used to guide...
. In two seasons with Arbroath, though, Donald only managed four league appearances and he retired from playing at the end of the 1974–75 season.
In 1980, Donald was appointed to the board of directors at Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
, before rising to the position of vice-chairman by 1986, and then becoming chairman in 1994. He left the post in 1998, and remained on the board until 2004, when he was appointed as the club's honorary president.