Robert Donaldson

Robert Donaldson

Born in Dundee in 1870, Bob was playing for Airdrie when he could hardly refuse an offer of £2-10-0 (£2.50) a week plus £50 signing on fee from Blackburn in 1891. This was huge money at the time.

After a year at Ewood Park he joined Newton Heath where he scored their first goal in the Football League and netted 56 times in 129 League starts, becoming an early crowd favourite for the future Manchester United.

The big centre-forward, who was good in the air and an expert in the ‘shoulder charge’, came to Football League new boys Luton in December 1897 to join up with some of his former Newton Heath team mates.

He banged in ten goals in 17 starts over the reminder of that campaign to help the Town to a respectable eighth place finish in their maiden Football League season but then, along with several other Luton players, joined another club new to the League, Glossop North End.

Bob finished his playing career at Ashford in Kent.