Jack McDonald

John Christopher McDonald (27 August 1921 – 28 June 2007) was an English footballer who played as an outside forward for various clubs in the 1940s and 1950s. During his spell at Fulham, he helped them claim the Football League Second Division championship title in 1949.

Football career McDonald was born in Maltby, West Riding of Yorkshire and joined Wolverhampton Wanderers as a trainee in May 1937, aged 15. Shortly after his 17th birthday, in September 1938, he signed professional papers before going on to make two appearances for "Wolves" in the First Division.

In May 1939, McDonald was transferred to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, but the Second World War broke out and normal football was suspended before he made his debut. During the war, he made guest appearances for a whole host of clubs, including Bristol City, Cardiff City, Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Bromwich Albion, York City, Southampton and Chelsea.

At the end of the war, he returned to Bournemouth and soon made a name for himself as a goal-scoring left-winger,

McDonald only missed one match in the 1948–49 season, scoring nine goals. His crosses assisted the other forwards, including Arthur Rowley, who scored 19, and Bob Thomas, who was top scorer with 23, as the club claimed the Football League Second Division championship title by one point ahead of West Bromwich Albion and long-time leaders, Southampton.

In the First Division, McDonald's form was not so prolific and he eventually lost his place to Northern Ireland international Johnny Campbell, making only five appearances in each of the 1950–51 and 1951–52 seasons.

In August 1952, he was signed by Southampton as a replacement for Tom Lowder who was out with appendicitis. McDonald made his debut for the "Saints" in the opening match of the 1952–53 season and scored four goals in the first eight matches, before a sudden loss of form led to the recall of Lowder following his return to health. In a match against Bury at The Dell on 20 September, McDonald took a penalty; the first attempt was kicked straight at Jimmy Kirk in the Bury goal and he then lofted the rebound over the bar.

In the summer of 1953, McDonald was transfer-listed and sold to Southend United for a fee of £800.

Later career McDonald subsequently moved to Elgin in Scotland before returning to England to live in retirement on the Isle of Wight.

Honours Fulham Football League Second Division champions: 1949.