To be honest, I don't think of him as an ex player as he didn't really play for us. Just like Shittu and that old Leicester defender Matt Elliot................and Danny Green. ;-)
Remember him scoring on his debut. Always thought it was weird that he ended up washing about with a couple of non league clubs, as he seemed well above that level.
Didn't he score winner against Newcastle in Prem????
Think it was equaliser, surprised we let him go. Even bobby robson was saying what a talent he was. Obviously lost his way and took a while to get back into the league, but that goal against the toon was a cracker
I always got the feeling that he came into senior football at a time when the traditional goal poacher was being replaced by the all-round athlete and that counted against him. He's not fast, or big or even particularly skillfull, but he knows where the goal is. In the Charlton youth team he played up front with none other than Leigh Hales, son of.
Didn't he score winner against Newcastle in Prem????
The best thing about that goal was i think Newcastle hadn't won in London for something like 4 seasons. So of course it was even sweeter knowing we were not going to help break that record.
I believe that MacDonald's goal was an equaliser - the game ending 1-1 (2001 I think). I remember him scoring at the North Stand end, hooking it in on the turn if I remember correct. His goal celebration nearly went pear-shaped.
What's Leigh Hales up to these days? He went to Dover Athletic around the same time as above game.
MacDonald left us simply because he wasn't good enough.We were a prem club and he was (at the time) a non-league player. He's now a good L1 player and we're a good L1 club.
I believe that MacDonald's goal was an equaliser - the game ending 1-1 (2001 I think). I remember him scoring at the North Stand end, hooking it in on the turn if I remember correct. His goal celebration nearly went pear-shaped.
What's Leigh Hales up to these days? He went to Dover Athletic around the same time as above game.
Last time I saw Leigh Hales he was with killer in the oak around the time we got relegated from the prem . I remember because I hadn't seen him and asked killer what his boy Leigh was up to now and he said "smoking a fag" , so I turned round and he was at the bar puffing away with a pint in his other hand.
Pretty sure we offered Charlie Mac a new deal which he turned down to try his luck elsewhere. Unfortunately he was looking for a new club when ITV digital went tits up meaning that many potential suitors were looking at trimming squads rather than looking for Prem league fringe players stepping down a level.
Hes worked bloody hard to get a career out of the game doing a long stint of non league.
As T said he was easily league quality. Cheltenham would prob have snapped him up at the time, if it weren't for the collapse of ITV digital.... Nice one Scally you negotiated yourself fuck all there.
OK so at Southend he wasn't a hit, any player can get the wrong club and disappear, but it's not easy to fight your way through average conference clubs and come back into the league especially in the era he did it in. Proved himself both in League one and League two, but I don't think he can consistently stay higher than that. Maybe at say a Doncaster, or Scunthorpe he could have had a few seasons in the champ, but his lack of pace and presence prob means this is his level. Much like McGleish we did not make a mistake letting him go at the time.
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As others have said, I remember him scoring v QPR (I was mascot for the game)
Was it on SKY?
Glad he's done well, always good to see youth products go on to do well....just a shame its for MK Dons now as they are looking good.
Bet his son was pleased with that!!!!
Last time I saw Leigh Hales he was with killer in the oak around the time we got relegated from the prem . I remember because I hadn't seen him and asked killer what his boy Leigh was up to now and he said "smoking a fag" , so I turned round and he was at the bar puffing away with a pint in his other hand.
Hes worked bloody hard to get a career out of the game doing a long stint of non league.
Fairly certain he's a journo now. Have seen his name on a few articles, and quite a few about us. You'd think he'd have a connection or two