An outside-forward, he stayed with Bolton Wanderers from 1912 to 1921, and also spent time with Sunderland, Manchester City, Chorley, and Ashton National.
The Football League was suspended during World War I. Donaldson guested for Leicester Fosse and Port Vale.
While heading for an English international trial match in Sunderland on 21 January 1914, Donaldson revealed that he was born in Scotland,[6] having moved to Central England in his teens after the death of his father.
[3] He earned his first Scotland cap against Wales on 28 February 1914, in a goalless draw at Celtic Park.
[8] On 4 April, he played in a 3–1 victory over England at Hampden Park;[9] the game secured Scotland a second-place finish in the 1914 British Home Championship.