He also played non-league football for Ashton United, Kettering Town and Gravesend and Northfleet.
McDonald began his playing career with Ashton United, for whom he made 104 appearances, scoring once[2] and did not enter the professional game until the relatively late age of 24.
[5] McDonald made only 12 appearances that season,[3] but over the subsequent four Division Three South seasons, became a regular in the side making a total of 146 appearances, scoring one goal against Northampton Town in September 1954.
[3] At the end of that season McDonald moved back into non-league football with Kettering Town[3] and subsequently played for Gravesend and Northfleet.
At Gravesend, McDonald made a total of 324 appearances[3] and helped the club win the Southern League title.