Built like a middle-weight boxer, he was a brash and colourful centre-forward who lived for hitting the ball into the back of the net. His style of play meant excitement, crashing goals from all distances and all angles.

He had devastating pace, packed a mighty shot and was deceptively good in the air too. Possessing verve and confidence, Macdonald arrived on Tyneside for a record fee after bagging 58 goals for Luton.

At once the Cockney was taken to by the Gallowgate faithful, striking a headlining hat-trick on his home debut against Liverpool. A huge personality in the region for five years, both on and off the field, Macdonald departed after several publicised disagreements with new manager Gordon Lee.

He continued to find the net at Highbury, claiming 57 goals for Arsenal before a knee complaint early in the 1978-79 season caused problems, an injury that forced his retirement at only 28 years of age.

Macdonald was the First Division's leading goalpoacher in 1974-75 (21 goals) and 1976-77 (25 goals), while he once hit five goals for England at Wembley against Cyprus in 1975 to equal an international scoring record.

On retirement from playing, he looked like developing into a fine manager at Fulham before a series of personal problems led to Macdonald's departure from the game.

After running several pubs in the north and south, as well as working in the media, Malcolm, always thoughtful and articulate, moved to Milan in 1991 where he was employed in sporting telecommunications.

For a period he was also a football agent, assisting in bringing Brazilian, Mirandinha to Gallowgate. In 1996 he was seen on the after-dinner circuit as a personality speaker, as well as becoming a local radio commentator and columnist in the north east.

Debut

v Crystal Palace (a) 14/8/71

Appearances