Alec Donald
Encyclopedia
Alexander 'Alec' Donald (born 29 May 1900 in Kirkintilloch
) was a professional footballer who played in Scotland
, England
and the United States
in the 1920s and 1930s.
in 1923. In his three years with The Jags Donald made 35 League appearances, and in 1926 he travelled to New York City
to play for Indiana Flooring
in the American Soccer League
. In his eight months with the team Donald had 39 appearances and scored three goals. Donald was then suspended because he was not registered to play in the United States.
In May 1927 Donald returned to Scotland to join Heart of Midlothian
for a season, before returning to the United States to play for the New York Nationals. Donald had 119 appearances and scored twice for the Nationals and won the 1928 National Challenge Cup
. Donald moved on yet again in July 1930, this time to England to play for Chelsea
. He played 24 league games in two years with Chelsea and then 136 games during his four years with Bristol Rovers
.
Donald finally returned to Scotland in 1936 to sign for Dunfermline Athletic
.
In the 1940s Donald moved to his home town to coach the Kirkintilloch Boys Club.
Kirkintilloch
Kirkintilloch is a town and former burgh in East Dunbartonshire, Scotland. It lies on the Forth and Clyde Canal, about eight miles northeast of central Glasgow...
) was a professional footballer who played in Scotland
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...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the 1920s and 1930s.
Career
Donald joined Scottish top-flight side Partick ThistlePartick 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 1923. In his three years with The Jags Donald made 35 League appearances, and in 1926 he travelled to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to play for Indiana Flooring
Indiana Flooring
Indiana Flooring were a New York soccer team that played in the American Soccer League between 1924 and 1927. They replaced New York Field Club. Before joining the ASL, the team had played in various state leagues....
in the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. In his eight months with the team Donald had 39 appearances and scored three goals. Donald was then suspended because he was not registered to play in the United States.
In May 1927 Donald returned to Scotland to join Heart of Midlothian
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
for a season, before returning to the United States to play for the New York Nationals. Donald had 119 appearances and scored twice for the Nationals and won the 1928 National Challenge Cup
1928 National Challenge Cup
The 1928 National Challenge Cup was the annual open cup held by the United States Football Association now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.-Eastern Division:-Western Division:-Final:...
. Donald moved on yet again in July 1930, this time to England to play for Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
. He played 24 league games in two years with Chelsea and then 136 games during his four years with Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
.
Donald finally returned to Scotland in 1936 to sign for Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
.
In the 1940s Donald moved to his home town to coach the Kirkintilloch Boys Club.