Robert McDonald (soccer)
Encyclopedia
Whitey McDonald was a Canadian soccer player who earned two caps with Ireland. He began his professional career in Canada, spent four seasons in the American Soccer League
, then finished it in Scotland with Rangers F.C.
.
of the American Soccer League
in 1924. He played four seasons with Bethlehem. In 1928, Rangers F.C.
toured the U.S. and spotted McDonald in its game with Bethlehem. They signed him in 1928 and he spent ten seasons with them. While a wing back in Canada and the U.S., he played left full back for Rangers.
in 1930 and the second against England
in 1932.
McDonald was enshrined in the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame
as an inaugural inductee in 2000.
The nickname "Whitey" was in reference to the colour of his hair which was a light reddish-blonde.
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...
, then finished it in Scotland with Rangers F.C.
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
.
Club career
Born in Ireland, McDonald moved with his parents to Canada when he was two, growing up in Hamilton, Canada. He began his professional career with Hamilton Thistle, playing in Spectator Cup in 1921 and 1922. He also spent time with Toronto Ulster United before signing with Bethlehem Steel F.C.Bethlehem Steel F.C.
Bethlehem Steel Football Club was one of the most successful early American soccer clubs. Known as the Bethlehem Football Club from 1911 until 1915 when it became the Bethlehem Steel Football Club, the team was sponsored by the Bethlehem Steel corporation and played their home games first at East...
of 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 1924. He played four seasons with Bethlehem. In 1928, Rangers F.C.
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
toured the U.S. and spotted McDonald in its game with Bethlehem. They signed him in 1928 and he spent ten seasons with them. While a wing back in Canada and the U.S., he played left full back for Rangers.
National team
McDonald earned two caps with Ireland national football team. His first was against ScotlandScotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
in 1930 and the second against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
in 1932.
McDonald was enshrined in the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame
Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame
The Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame in Vaughan, Ontario, was founded in 1997. It was incorporated by the Ontario Soccer Association. The Hall aims to celebrate and highlight the achievements of top Canadian Footballers and Builders who have played and developed the game in Canada...
as an inaugural inductee in 2000.
The nickname "Whitey" was in reference to the colour of his hair which was a light reddish-blonde.