He was the best goalkeeper in the world

I was to realise later that the reserve team keeper, Colin McDonald, had in fact been the first team keeper but lost his place after breaking a leg playing for the Football League in Dublin in 1959. The McDonald I saw was one trying to regain fitness but it was to end in failure, he had played his last game and I was never to see him play first team football.

I have always played the Blacklaw card but have spoken to many over the years and there must be no doubt that McDonald was simply a magnificent goalkeeper. He won himself a place in the England side and during 1958 he won eight full caps making his debut against USSR in Moscow in May. Incredibly half of those caps were won against the Soviets.

He was the England goalkeeper in the World Cup in Sweden that year and by the end of the tournament was not just regarded as the best in the country. Quite simply the Burnley goalkeeper was voted the best goalkeeper in the world.

It was 17^th March 1959 when he broke his leg and when complications set in he contracted pneumonia. When he finally recovered he returned to try and win back his place so ably taken by Blacklaw but despite remaining with the club until the summer of 1961 he was never able to fully regain the fitness required.

His career was over and he had played his last first team game at the age of 28 but he was to remain in football for many years as a coach and scout and he was always highly thought of for his work within youth football.

But how good was he? Over the years I did speak to people whose opinion I respected. Two former Burnley managers, Harry Potts and Brian Miller, both told me that he was the best and my dad once said that had he not broken his leg then he would have remained in the England side and would have been there to pick up a World Cup winners medal in 1966. He was better than Banks I was told and that is praise indeed.

What more can I say – Burnley Football Club had the best goalkeeper in the world.

Sadly I missed him but tomorrow he is the special guest of the Clarets Foundation and will also be making the half time draw. He is now 71 years of age and I suspect those who do remember him will be recalling his great days when they see him again.