John Macdonald (sportsman) explained

John Macdonald
Birth Date:24 December 1861
Birth Place:Inverness, Scotland
Death Place:Edinburgh, Scotland
Position:Centre half
Clubs1:Edinburgh University
Years2:1884–1885
Clubs2:Queen's Park
Nationalyears1:1886
Nationalteam1:Scotland
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Module:
Embed:yes
Country:Scotland
International:true
Internationalspan:1880–1884
Date:15 February
Year:2018
Source:https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/124/124026/124026.html CricketArchive

Dr. John Macdonald (24 December 1861 – 29 August 1938) was a Scottish sportsman who represented Scotland at both football and cricket, the first Scotsman to represent his country at both sports. He was also a qualified medical doctor.

Early life

Macdonald was born in Inverness on 24 December 1861, the eldest of eight children. His father was a house painter, local magistrate, and town councillor, while his mother was the daughter of a local farmer. He attended Inverness Royal Academy where he played cricket, tennis, and rugby.

Edinburgh University and cricket career

Macdonald attended the University of Edinburgh, graduating with a medical degree in 1884. He played for the University at cricket, and while a student he represented Scotland at cricket in a three-day international against the Australians in September 1880, at the age of 18.[1] He also played for Scotland in an exhibition game against a group of American tourists, the Gentlemen of Philadelphia, in June 1884.[1] He was captain of the University side throughout 1884 and scored over 1,000 runs that year.[1] During his time at the university, he also switched from rugby football to association football.[1] He captained the University's football team.

Football career

Macdonald represented a Glasgow select side in 1885 in a 5–2 victory against a London select side at The Oval.[1] He made one appearance for Scotland in March 1886, against England.[2] In doing so he became the first Scotsman to represent their country at both cricket and football; it would be another 50 years before another sportsman (Scot Symon) represented Scotland at both sports.[1] In that match he played as a left half,[1] though he usually played as a "strong and capable centre-half."[2] He also played as an amateur for Queen's Park,[2] making 11 appearances.[3]

Later life and death

Macdonald returned to Inverness to set up a medical practice, and he eventually became Chief Medical Officer for both Inverness Burgh and Inverness County Council.[1] He was married with five children.[1] He continued his involvement in both cricket and football - captaining local team Northern Counties and representing a North of Scotland XI in the former, and becoming a Patron of the Highland League in 1932 in the latter.[1] Macdonald died in Edinburgh on 29 August 1938, at the age of 76.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FORGOTTEN CRICKET/FOOTBALL INTERNATIONAL REDISCOVERED. 26 February 2014. 10 May 2015. David Gordon. Cricket Scotland.
  2. Book: Scotland Who's Who: International Players 1872–2013. Paul Smith. Pitch Publishing. 2013. 161.
  3. Web site: QPFC.com - A Historical Queen's Park FC Website.