McLeod Donnie Image 3 Glasgow Celtic 1908

Description

Laurieston, Glasgow born full back Donnie McLeod began his football career with Stenhousemuir Thistle in 1900 before joining Stenhousemuir in 1901. From there he signed for Glasgow Celtic in May 1902, making his Scottish League debut at Third Lanark the same August and immediately establishing himself as the kegendary Barney Battles’ replacement. McLeod was to be an integral part of the side who kick-started the club´s unprecedented feat of six Championships in a row from 1904. His partnership with Jimmy Weir was invincible and when he was later transferred to Middlesborough in 1908 Weir followed him south in 1910 to form a duo described as “the most dogged, dour and fearless pair of backs in England.” By then he had won the Scottish Cup in 1907 and 1908, and also won four straight Scottish League titles between 1905 and 1908, making 155 appearances for The Bhoys.

He was first capped for Scotland in March 1905 when he played in a 4-0 win over Wales at Parkhead, winning 3 more caps in the 1906 British Home Championship series. He also played twice for the Scottish Football League, both games against The Football League in March 1905 and March 1906.

Having joined Middlesbrough he made his Football League debut at Notts County in October 1908 and had 5 seasons at Ayresome Park, making 148 appearances. In 1913 he returned to Scotland for a short spell with Inverness Caledonian  before retiring.

During the First World War McLeod joined the 466th Battery of the 65th Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner. Wounded in action during the Battle of Passchendaele Gunner McLeod died of his injuries on October 6th 1917. Today his grave can be found in Dozinghem Military Cemetery near Krombeke to the northwest of Poperinghe in Belgium.

NB although published in 1912 while at Middlesbrough, this image was taken while at Celtic and shows him wearing a Celtic shirt.