Alan McDonald dies

Kess73

Was asked by Amiable to start a thread for Alan McDonald as he knew him from when both were in London at the same time.



Alan McDonald R.I.P


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18562229

Former Northern Ireland and Queen's Park Rangers captain Alan McDonald has died suddenly at the age of 48.

McDonald, who managed Glentoran when they won the Irish League championship in 2009, collapsed while playing golf on Saturday morning.

The Belfast-born centre-half famously played in the Northern Ireland team which drew 0-0 against England in 1985 to qualify for the World Cup finals.

Alan McDonald made 52 appearances for Northern Ireland

He won 52 international caps scoring one goal against Denmark in 1986.

The news of McDonald's death will come as a huge shock to the football community in Northern Ireland.

He owned a trophies business in Bangor, Co Down, which had previously been run by his Northern Ireland team-mate Billy Hamilton.

McDonald made more than 400 appearances for London club QPR and was in the team which reached the League Cup final in 1986, losing 3-0 to Oxford United.

He then had spells with Charlton, on loan, and Swindon Town.

After retiring from playing, he served for a time as assistant coach of the Northern Ireland Under-21 side.

BKC

R.I.P.

So young, tragic.

Sappy404

RIP.

monkey9

Sad news. RIP

Nuri Sahin

RIP.

Kerrydude1981

RIP

I am pie

RIP big mac. Thanks for dragging us to Mexico 86. A gentleman.

Mr.Crinklewood

RIP.

Grid.

Sad news, R.I.P:(

El Weirdo

RIP.

A fantastic centre half for QPR and a great servant to the club. Legend.

steelcityblues

Playing at the top level of English football for so many seasons, shows that he was a very good defender. RIP.

Leiva

I always remember him as being a wirey player who always got stuck in with a great attitude to the game.

R.I.P Alan McDonald.

The_Kew_Tour

RIP

Decent player from what I remember.

Ape X

48 is no age at all

RIP

PeteEd

RIP Big Mac

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14NUbMiazh0

Paul4As

Brilliant servant to Northern Ireland. You only have to watch his interview after the England game to see the passion he had for his country.

ShamoBuc

R.I.P. - a very solid player who always gave it his all.

Where To

I remember McDonald and Paul Parker were a great chalk and cheese defensive partnership, probably the best QPR ever had.

RIP

Qprmeath

They dont make them like that anymore. Such a massively popular player with the Qpr faithful. Cant believe hes gone. RIP

NIMAN

Had the pleasure to watch him play at Windsor several times.

Such a sad loss, at such a young age.

RIP.

Xavi6

Himself and Darren Peacock in the middle with David Bardsley and Clive Wilson at full backs is the first QPR backline I remember as a kid. McDonald always stood out as good captain and very solid centre half.

Too young to pass on, very sad to hear. RIP

Collibosher

He was a leader on the pitch, always gave his all.

A gentleman off the pitch, a truly nice guy.

Rest in peace Macca

fryup

much too young

RIP

vicwatson

RIP Alan. Too young to depart. Safe Journey.

To Alcohol

RIP Alan.

blinding

A very good player for NI and QPR.

RIP.

amiable

Thanks to Kess for posting this.

A very very nice man from first hand experience.
Was genuinely shocked and saddened with this news yesterday.
I was desperate for it to be just a stupid rumour.

RIP Big Al

Lawrence1895

R.I.P. Alan

eire4

Sad news indeed. He came over as a class act on and off the field.