QPR legend McDonald ‘was like a big kid’
Former QPR stars Simon Barker and Rufus Brevett have added to the tributes being paid to Alan McDonald, who died suddenly on Saturday.
Barker played alongside the former Northern Ireland captain for nine years at Loftus Road and spoke to McDonald only weeks ago.
- McDonald was loved by QPR fans.
“It came as a tremendous shock to hear the news of Alan’s sudden death,” Barker said.
“After losing touch for over 10 years, we had only spoken on the phone three weeks ago and were reminiscing about the old times at QPR and what he was doing now, and his plans for the future.
“I feel so sorry for his family, his wife Tonia, and also his two daughters and son. He was a good guy and has been taken from us all far too early – 48 is no age at all.
“Alan was a tremendous player. He was a big, strong defender but also had really good feet for a centre-half.
“You don’t play for your country over 50 times and play for a club at the highest level of English football for over 400 appearances, spanning 16 years, without being a very good player.
“Macca was also a real character. He and his partner-in-crime David Bardsley were like a couple of mischievous schoolboys, always messing around and playing practical jokes, and it’s times like these that you look back on those days with fond memories.
“It’s so sad that he’s no longer with us. I’ll always have great memories of him and so will all his family, friends and former colleagues.”
Brevett was 21 when he left Doncaster to join Rangers, where McDonald was firmly established as one of the senior players.
“I was young and he was this massively experienced defender everyone looked up to,” Brevett told West London Sport.
“Macca was a top guy and a great player. All the other players at QPR respected him so much.
“He was always mucking around. He was like a big kid really and the banter never stopped. He was always on at me but it was all good-natured stuff.
“When the time came to be serious though, he was very serious and very professional. He served QPR brilliantly and gave the club everything.”
See also:
Former team-mates pay tribute to QPR hero
Ex-QPR boss Smith hails ‘special’ McDonald
Big Mac has been a big part of my life – I’ll miss him
I’ll never forget my friend Macca and the great times we had
From Mexico to Huddersfield: Ten memories of Macca
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