23rd June 2012, a very sad day. As the tragic news that Alan âMaccaâ McDonald has passed away is permeating through our world, Iâm sitting here in a maelstrom of emotions. Obviously sad, desperately sad, but also bewildered as to how such a young man can have possibly died and angry that one of my heroes has been prematurely struck down, but slowly starting to dominate my emotions is how proud I am. I am proud that such an honourable man played with such distinction for our club, proud to have been able to cheer him on to the field and applaud him off again so often and proud that he loved Q.P.R. as much as I do........ http://rollercoasterranger.wordpress.com/2012/06/24/macca-rest-in-peace/
Well said Roller, you echo my thoughts! went to bed last night really depressed at the news and had a bad night. Alan was like my best mate cos he was class for my hoops. had the pleasure of havin a beer with him and David in the players lounge a few times after the game, true pro....
Our most capped player ever. A colossus in defence alongside Steve Wickes. Met him in 'Oscars' in Greenford a few times. A great bloke. RIP Alan. Thoughts are with you and your loved ones.
Can't see some of todays 'Superstars' in a place like that now. But those were different times and some of the players used to associate with the fans. Big Mac was one of them. Never got above himself like a certain Mr Barton.
Well said SHEFFORDQPR ! and with our team for nearly 20 years!! A great player and a nice person to be with. Regards to his family. He will be missed! That the type of player WE need now!
Legend is a word that is so easily used for some of todays mercenaries but Alan McDonald was a true Rangers legend,RIP Big Man,forever in our thoughts,condolences to your family.
Closest we have at the moment is Clint Hill. Unfortunately, he will only be with QPR for a couple more seasons at most. But at least he shows the commitment that Big Mac did.
Superbly written as always Roller, Eloquent and factual, thank you. As I've already said, I was fortunate enough to be present at the majority of Macca's games for the R's, he gave his all for the shirt in all of those 400 plus matches. No supporter of any club could ask for any more than that, as you pointed out in your article, that's what endeared him to the hoops faithful, he was out there battling for us, the fans. How many of today's players could you say that about? I have been deeply affected by his passing, more so than any other sportsman/woman that is no longer with us. Strangely, I couldn't quite put my finger on why, then it just came to me, it's as though I've lost a family member, which is absolutely true, we've lost a member of our QPR family. RIP Alan, you will never be forgotten,
he was my hero. I know the number 10 is synonymous with us but to me maccas number 5 should be retired. sleep well big man.
very well put roller & thanks, still devestated by the news the big man was QPR through & through, there will never be another big mac as long as i live, god rest his soul.
Roller, you really have a fantastic way with words. As a poor CB myself, he was my hero. Somebody i always pretended to be when kicking a ball around the green fields of kilkenny. 400 games for us. Wow. When you look at the QPR team/squad for the last 10 odd years, you quickly realise how many mercenaries we have had at our club. When is the last time we have had a player for even 4 or 5 years, let alone somebody like Macca, who basically spent his whole career with us. He truely was a QPR legend. I really hope his life/contribution to QPR is properly celebrated at the Swansea game. What a man, what a player, what a QPR legend.
It has all been said in the thread already, but the above just shows the power of a man who had the ability to have "Kilkenny kids kicking a ball around the green fields". NOBODY 'kicks' a ball in Kilkenny, they use hurleys! I had the pleasure of meeting Macca once, an absolute gent. His young age makes you think about enjoying life a bit more, huh? Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
