Alan McDonald (Northern Ireland footballer)
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 12 October 1963 | ||
Place of birth | Belfast, Northern Ireland | ||
Date of death | 23 June 2012 | (aged 48)||
Place of death | Lisburn, Northern Ireland | ||
Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
Position(s) |
Centre back | ||
Youth career | |||
1979–1981 | Queens Park Rangers | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1982–1997 | Queens Park Rangers | 402 | (13) |
1983 | → Charlton Athletic (loan) | 9 | (0) |
1997–1998 | Swindon Town | 33 | (1) |
Total | 444 | (14) | |
International career | |||
1986–1996 | Northern Ireland | 52 | (3) |
Managerial career | |||
2007–2010 | Glentoran | ||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Alan McDonald (12 October 1963 – 23 June 2012) was a Northern Irish football manager and former professional footballer.
As a player, he was a
After retiring as a player, he briefly returned to QPR as a first team coach before going on to manage
Club career
McDonald joined
McDonald's last game for QPR was on 31 March 1997 in a home match v Wolves. He joined Swindon Town on a free transfer in the summer of 1997, making 36 appearances and scoring once in his last season as a player, 1997–98.[4]
International career
McDonald played 52 times for Northern Ireland, including the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, and worked as an assistant manager at Swindon Town and Northern Ireland national team.[5] He played a significant role in the 0-0 draw against England at Wembley in November 1985 which saw Northern Ireland qualify for the 1986 World Cup,[6] giving a post-match interview rebutting suggestions that the match had been 'fixed'[7] which was remembered for many years after.[8]
Coaching career
McDonald returned to QPR briefly in February 2006 as assistant to manager Gary Waddock but Waddock struggled as manager and McDonald left in September 2006. McDonald was appointed as coach of Glentoran to help manager Paul Millar. McDonald almost left the club when he heard that Roy Walker was appointed new manager, but due to not having UEFA badges, McDonald stepped in and was appointed manager.[citation needed]
Managerial career
In June 2007 he became manager of Glentoran in his native Belfast, where he stayed for three seasons, guiding the club to the IFA Premiership title in 2008–09. He also coached his country's under-21 side. After McDonald was appointed manager of Glentoran, he started to bring in new faces. He signed Dungannon Swifts winger
McDonald did not manage since resigning from Glentoran, although he was linked with the Ballymena United manager's job following the resignation of Roy Walker. McDonald also owned a trophy shop in Bangor.
Death
On the morning of 23 June 2012, McDonald collapsed and died while playing golf at Temple Golf and Country Club near Lisburn in County Antrim.[1][2] The IFA posted a short statement on its official website – "The Irish FA is saddened by this morning's news of the sudden death of Alan McDonald. Our thoughts are with his family at this time. We are deeply shocked at the death of Alan, who won over 50 caps for Northern Ireland. To die at such a young age is terrible."[11] Former Northern Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy described himself as "shellshocked" and said Norman Whiteside was "devastated."[11] QPR posted a message on www.qpr.co.uk which read: "Queens Park Rangers Football Club is desperately saddened to learn of the passing of former captain and assistant manager Alan McDonald."[11] In honour of his memory the club's plane for the 2012–13 pre-season tour was named "The Alan McDonald". In addition to this the club held a minute's applause for McDonald before their opening 2012–13 match against Swansea City.
Career statistics
# | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 26 March 1986 | Windsor Park, Belfast | Denmark | 1–0 | 1–1 | Friendly |
2. | 11 September 1991 | Landskrona IP, Landskrona | Faroe Islands | 3–0 | 5–0 | Euro 1992 qualifier |
3. | 17 February 1993 | Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana | Albania | 2–0 | 2–1 | 1994 World Cup qualifier
|
Honours
Managerial
Glentoran
- County Antrim Shield: 2007–08
- IFA Premiership: 2008–09
References
- ^ a b "Alan McDonald: Former Northern Ireland captain dies suddenly". BBC Sport. 23 June 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- ^ a b "Former NI footballer Alan McDonald dies". UTV News. Ulster Television. 23 June 2012. Archived from the original on 18 April 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- ^ QPR profile Archived 15 February 2005 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Swindon Town record
- ^ "McDonald interested in Glens job". BBC Sport. 3 February 2006. Retrieved 19 June 2007.
- ^ "England Match No. 607 - Northern Ireland - 13 November 1985 - Match Summary and Report".
- ^ "Alan McDonald Tells Them!". YouTube.
- ^ "Alan McDonald: The 'gentle giant' who brought title glory to the Oval". 23 June 2020.
- ^ McKinley, Stuart (1 March 2010). "Alan McDonald leaves Glentoran". The Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- ^ "Alan McDonald resigns as Glentoran manager". BBC Sport. 1 March 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- ^ a b c "Tributes paid to McDonald". The Kerryman. Independent News & Media. 23 June 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- ^ "Northern Ireland v. Denmark". Irish Football Association. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- ^ "Faroe Islands v. Northern Ireland". Irish Football Association. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- ^ "Albania v. Northern Ireland". Irish Football Association. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- Playfair football annuals 1983-84 to 1998-99
External links
- Alan McDonald at National-Football-Teams.com