As a player, he was a midfielder from 1988 to 2007 with lengthy spells at West Bromwich Albion and Grimsby Town which saw him win two play-off finals at Wembley Stadium.
Donovan started playing for Elland Athletic in the Halifax league as an 8-year old[1] before he joined Huddersfield Town, training at the centre of excellence, at 16 he became an apprentice and turned professional in October 1989.
[1][2] He joined Halifax Town on loan during February and March 1992, before moving to West Bromwich Albion[1] for £70,000 in October of that year.
Two more rather impressive seasons were spent at Blundell Park before Donovan confirmed the Grimsby supporters' worst fears and left to join rivals Barnsley.
[1] His time at Oakwell was mainly blighted by injury problems, and he experienced relegation with the club,[2] and at the end of the 2002–03 season he was released by The Tykes.