Paul McDonald (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Paul Thomas McDonald is a Scottish former football
defender
.
After playing for a local boy's club in his hometown McDonald was spotted by Hamilton Academical
and signed for the club in June 1986. McDonald, who usually featured on the left wing played at the club during a period of comparative success, picking up winners medals for the First Division
in 1987–88 and the B & Q Cup in 1992 and 1993. After a long spell at the Accies he was signed by Southampton
for £75,000 in the summer of 1993. McDonald failed to make an impact at The Dell, although a successful loan spell at Burnley
prompted Brighton & Hove Albion
to pay £25,000 for his services in 1996. He left the club the following year and returned to Scottish football, with spells at Dunfermline Athletic
, Partick Thistle
and Greenock Morton
before returning to Hamilton for a final two season run in 2001.
After this spell with the Accies McDonald, who had also been serving the club as Youth Development Manager from 2002, retired from playing and became the SFA
community coach at Kilmarnock
.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
.
After playing for a local boy's club in his hometown McDonald was spotted by Hamilton Academical
Hamilton Academical F.C.
Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have...
and signed for the club in June 1986. McDonald, who usually featured on the left wing played at the club during a period of comparative success, picking up winners medals for the First Division
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
in 1987–88 and the B & Q Cup in 1992 and 1993. After a long spell at the Accies he was signed by Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
for £75,000 in the summer of 1993. McDonald failed to make an impact at The Dell, although a successful loan spell at Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
prompted Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
to pay £25,000 for his services in 1996. He left the club the following year and returned to Scottish football, with spells at 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....
, 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 Greenock Morton
Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
before returning to Hamilton for a final two season run in 2001.
After this spell with the Accies McDonald, who had also been serving the club as Youth Development Manager from 2002, retired from playing and became the SFA
Scottish Football Association
The Scottish Football Association is the governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland. Members of the SFA include clubs in Scotland, affiliated national associations as well as local associations...
community coach at Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
.