Jack O'Donnell

Football player infobox
playername= Jack O'Donnell


fullname = John O'Donnell
nickname =
dateofbirth = 1897
cityofbirth = Gateshead
countryofbirth = England
dateofdeath = "Unknown"
height =
position = Defender
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years =
1925-1930
1930-1932
clubs = Darlington
Everton
Blackpool
Wigan Athletic
caps(goals) =
188 (10)
055 0(0)
manageryears =
managerclubs =
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate =

John "Jack" O'Donnell was an English professional football player.

Career

Born in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, in 1897, O'Donnell, like so many other footballers from the North East, started his career playing for his local colliery team (in his case, Felling). Darlington soon signed him, and he earned a reputation as a hard-tackling full-back. Everton paid around £3,000 for him soon afterwards, a fee that was rare for a defender. The move didn't work out, however, and Blackpool bought him for a similar price.

O'Donnell joined the Seasiders in late 1930, making his debut for the club on December 20, in a home game against Grimsby Town. For the next two seasons he became a regular in the back line as Blackpool tried desperately to retain their recently-achieved First Division status.

O'Donnell's move coincided with a time of trouble for the Blackpool defence. By the end of the 1930-31 season, the club had conceded 125 goals, followed by 102.

Disciplinary problems followed O'Donnell. It was reported on three occasions that the club had suspended him for various matters. Eventually it was mutually agreed to terminate his contract, and O'Donnell played out the remainder of his career in the lower leagues, notably with Wigan Athletic.

References

*cite book | first=Roy | last=Calley| coauthors= | title=Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887-1992 | publisher=Breedon Books Sport | location= | year=1992 | editor= | id=ISBN 1-873626-07-X