Alan Mcdonald is not the most gifted individual for skill and flair but Macca is here in the hall of fame for many other reasons such as loyalty, determination and a pride in wearing the blue and white hoops.

Macca signed for QPR as a schoolboy but struggled to get a chance in the first team for a few seasons. The defence under manager Terry Venables, had the likes of Bob Hazel, Terry Fenwick and Steve Wicks so Macca found it hard to get his chance. He actually made his league debut whilst on loan at Charlton where he picked up some valuable experience.

Macca's chance came after the departure of Bob Hazel where he played alongside England international Terry Fenwick. Macca was a strong centre half with a no nonsense approach. Rather than the play his way out of trouble he would just clear the ball and the shouts of "four" whenever he pumped a ball forward towards Wayne Fereday always amused me anyway.

Alan Mcdonald got to play in Europe with QPR in the UEFA cup in 1984. Rangers had to play their home matches at Highbury due to the plastic pitch but the experience gained in these matches helped Macca two years later in one of his finest moments. Now a first team regular, Macca became a Northern Ireland international and was in the team, which was trying to qualify for the 1986 World Cup.

Ireland were in the same group as England and the last match was at Wembley between the two teams. Macca's Northern Ireland needed a point to qualify along with England. A dull 0-0 draw followed as many people felt the game was "a fiddle" to put it mildly. Both teams qualified for Mexico '86 and Macca spoke out about the controversy. "If anyone thinks that game was a fix, they can come and see me outside".

I won't comment on the queue, which formed from Loftus Road to Wembley, but Macca was to play in the World Cup. Also that season, Macca led QPR back to Wembley. A memorable cup run with Macca at the heart of every match. His biggest contribution came in the Quarter finals. Rangers drew at home with Chelsea and were forced into a replay.

Chelsea were hot favourites and a top six team. Macca scored the first goal in extra time to take Rangers into the semi finals. In the semi finals Rangers beat Liverpool to stop them becoming the only English side ever to complete the domestic treble. Sadly, Alan Mcdonald like so many others was disappointing in the final as QPR lost to Oxford 3-0.That wasn't the only high of the season though. Alan Mcdonald also stared in a certain 6-0 win on Easter Monday. We beat some team called Chelsea who at the time thought they could win the league.

Macca will always remember his time in the summer heat of Mexico. Northern Ireland were handed a tough group and Alan Mcdonald got to face some of the best players in the world. Northern Ireland started against the minnows of the group, Algeria and a 1-1 draw ended both sides' hopes of qualifying.

Macca's next task was to face Spain and mark Butragueneo one of the most feared strikers in Europe. Macca had a good game but as on the losing team 2-1. He then came up against, Zico as Brazil ran riot but the experience was one he will never forget and he flew the flag not only for his country but also for his club.

Alan Mcdonald returned to Rangers for a disappointing season in 1986/87 as the club went through many changes. The take-over of David Bullstrode overshadowed a poor season for QPR, but things improved the following season with a new defence.

Danny Maddix and Paul Parker were signed to help out as Jim Smith played with a sweeper system. Paul Parker became the man marker before the departure of Fenwick who had been sweeper. Alan Mcdonald was the stopper and worked very well along side Paul Parker. Macca and Parker formed a strong defence and a final league placing of fifth was just reward.

That partnership continued the following two seasons, as Rangers became an established first division team. Macca could also chip in with the odd goal and his international career continued but their was to be no more World Cup finals for him as Northern Ireland began to struggle at the highest level. Macca was awarded a testimonial in 1989, which must have earned him some deserved money. His Rangers team lost 4-2 to Chelsea but he managed to score a penalty.

Macca was by no way finished at club level though, despite being written off most seasons by the critical QPR supporters for his lack of pace. He played his part in one of the most entertaining QPR teams in the 90's under Don Howe. Rangers got to the FA Cup Quarter finals before losing to Liverpool but the standard of football was excellent and Macca was holding everything together at the back.

He was the steel of the team with so many flair players around him. Alan Mcdonald played under ten different QPR managers in his time and probably had his most successful time under Gerry Francis. Macca was part of the team which finished fifth in 1993 and he helped groom Darren Peacock alongside him into a £2million player.

Macca was always known as a joker in the changing room and his practical jokes were well known. At the end of the 1992/92 season, Macca teamed up with David Bardsley to handcuff Andy Sinton in the showers. This was one of the milder jokes, Macca played on his team-mates.

Despite being ultra competitive on the pitch, Macca was a great guy off it. He was and still is always ready to sign an autograph and have a chat about QPR and was very popular with hi steam mates. One player Macca didn't get on with was a certain Mr Mark Hughes. During both players peak they had some classic battles on and possibly off the pitch.

Whenever these two players met you could be sure something would happen. The most memorable incident for me was in the 192/93 season. For the past few season before this, Hughes had made habit of getting QPR players, and Mcdonald in particular, booked or sent off. This night proved pay back.

In front of a live television audience. Macca went through Hughes with a two-footed tackle down the back of the legs, leaving stud marks like you have never seen before. Hughes went off and Macca was booked to the biggest ovation heard on the night from QPR supporters. Another memorable moment was the 4-1 victory at Old Trafford.

Macca seemed to take great delight in winding Hughes up that day and his celebrations at the end was like a cup final win. His final years at the club saw his biggest disappointment when he saw his beloved team relegated in 1996. Macca had suffered more than most as he had the club at heart and he vowed to take the club back to the Premiership.

This never happened though and despite playing some of the best football of his career he was given a free transfer by Stewart Houston after 17 years at the club. Despite being ultra competitive on the pitch, Macca was a great guy off it. He was and still is always ready to sign an autograph and have a chat about QPR and was very popular with his team mates.

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