Born in Gateshead, County Durham, on 25 March 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).

O'Donnell joined the Seasiders in late 1930, making his debut for the club on 20 December, 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.

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.

After just three months with Wigan, O'Donnell moved across the Irish Sea to join Dublin side Dolphin in the League of Ireland.