England’s oldest living international Colin McDonald has died at the age of 95, with the national side and his former club Burnley both sharing poignant tributes to the long-serving goalkeeper.
McDonald won his first of eight caps for England in 1958, and most notably featured for the Three Lions during their four matches at the World Cup of that year.
During the tournament, McDonald was between the sticks for the first goalless draw in World Cup history, with his clean sheet against eventual champions Brazil in the tie contributing to widespread belief that he was the standout goalkeeper of the tournament.
That year, McDonald would also finish 11th in the standings for that year’s Ballon d’Or.
The Bury-born star was also considered the greatest goalkeeper Burnley had ever had by many spectators who watched him in his pomp.
McDonald had first signed for the Clarets as an amateur in 1948, but after returning from National Service, played professionally between 1951 and 1961.
England’s oldest living international player Colin McDonald has died at the age of 95
Burnley shared that they were ‘deeply saddened’ by his passing, with a statement that highlighted that he had been ‘more or less ever-present’ in the side after establishing himself as Burnley’s No 1 from 1954.
McDonald’s career eventually came to an end in 1961, two years after he broke his leg playing for the Football League against League of Ireland on St Patrick’s Day in 1959, although he enjoyed a brief run-out for non-league Altrincham in 1965.
McDonald went on to be appointed at Wycombe Wanderers the year of his retirement from playing duties, but did not manage a single game, resigning after 23 days for ‘domestic reasons’.
He became England’s oldest living international in June of last year, following the death of Tommy Banks, who represented the Three Lions six times, at 94.
