Donald Colman
Encyclopedia
Donald Cameron Cunningham, known as Donald Colman (14 August 1878 - 1942) was a football player and coach (or trainer) in the early years of the 20th century, playing and coaching most notably for Aberdeen
. His career in senior football did not begin until he was in his late twenties, and he was capped by Scotland
at the late age of 33.
As a coach, he was renowned partly as the inventor of the dugout, a sunken, sheltered area for note taking, which he introduced at Aberdeen's Pittodrie Stadium
, making it the first football stadium to feature this innovation.
town of Renton, home of Renton F.C.
, an early power in the Scottish game. The young Colman was passionate about football, and had helped out at his local club as a boy before signing to play for the junior club Glasgow Perthshire
. Colman feared that his choice of profession would not be favoured by his parents, and signed under his grandmother's name of Colman - by the time he was accepted by his family as a professional footballer, he felt that it was too late to revert, so he was known throughout his football career as Donald Colman.
From Glasgow Perthshire, Colman moved to a number of other junior clubs, including Maryhill
and his hometown club, but a career in senior football seemed to have eluded him in spite of interest at various times from Hibs
and Sunderland
. He was considered to be too small in stature to make a professional, and seemed destined to remain a junior player until he was signed by Motherwell
at the late age of 27 in 1905.
in the summer of 1907 and soon established himself as Aberdeen's first choice right-back; becoming club captain in 1909. In 1911-12
, Colman was capped three times for Scotland, winning a fourth cap two years later. His career was interrupted but not ended by the First World War, during which he served in France.
After the war, Colman resumed his Aberdeen career, and was still playing regularly during his final season at the club in 1920, after which he moved to Dumbarton
as player-coach. He was reported to have still been an active player in 1925, at the age of 47.
in the summer months to coach football. He was recalled to Aberdeen as coach in 1931 by Phillips' successor, Paddy Travers
. Colman's second spell at Aberdeen was as notable as his first - he was an innovative and influential coach, spending much time and effort on players' footwork and working on ideas such as possession football and using space. He was convinced of the importance of watching his players' feet, and to help with this, devised the dugout - a sheltered area, set below pitch level which allowed him to observe his players' feet as they played. The idea quickly spread through the game in Britain and further afield, and examples of dugouts at football grounds can still be seen to this day.
in 1942.
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
. His career in senior football did not begin until he was in his late twenties, and he was capped by Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
at the late age of 33.
As a coach, he was renowned partly as the inventor of the dugout, a sunken, sheltered area for note taking, which he introduced at Aberdeen's Pittodrie Stadium
Pittodrie Stadium
Pittodrie Stadium is an all-seated football stadium situated in the Scottish city of Aberdeen. It was first used in 1899 and from 1903 has been the home of Aberdeen Football Club...
, making it the first football stadium to feature this innovation.
Junior career
Colman was born and brought up in the DunbartonshireDunbartonshire
Dunbartonshire or the County of Dumbarton is a lieutenancy area and registration county in the west central Lowlands of Scotland lying to the north of the River Clyde. Until 1975 it was a county used as a primary unit of local government with its county town and administrative centre at the town...
town of Renton, home of Renton F.C.
Renton F.C.
Renton Football Club was a prominent team in the early history of Scottish football. The club was based in the village of Renton, West Dunbartonshire...
, an early power in the Scottish game. The young Colman was passionate about football, and had helped out at his local club as a boy before signing to play for the junior club Glasgow Perthshire
Glasgow Perthshire F.C.
Glasgow Perthshire Football Club are a Scottish football club based in Possilpark, in the North of Glasgow. Nicknamed the Shire, they were formed in 1890 and play at Keppoch Park, not far from the Saracen Park home of Ashfield...
. Colman feared that his choice of profession would not be favoured by his parents, and signed under his grandmother's name of Colman - by the time he was accepted by his family as a professional footballer, he felt that it was too late to revert, so he was known throughout his football career as Donald Colman.
From Glasgow Perthshire, Colman moved to a number of other junior clubs, including Maryhill
Maryhill F.C.
Maryhill Football Club are a football team based in the Maryhill area of Glasgow, Scotland. Members of the Scottish Junior Football Association, they currently play in the West Region, Central Division Two....
and his hometown club, but a career in senior football seemed to have eluded him in spite of interest at various times from Hibs
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
and Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
. He was considered to be too small in stature to make a professional, and seemed destined to remain a junior player until he was signed by Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
at the late age of 27 in 1905.
Senior playing career
Colman played for Motherwell for only two seasons before being released on a free transfer. At the relatively advanced age of 29, it would have been reasonable for him to consider his senior career over. However, he was signed by Aberdeen manager Jimmy PhilipJimmy Philip
Jimmy Philip was the very first manager of Scottish football club Aberdeen FC. He was in charge of the club from its foundation in 1903 until his retirement in 1924...
in the summer of 1907 and soon established himself as Aberdeen's first choice right-back; becoming club captain in 1909. In 1911-12
1911-12 in Scottish football
The 1911–12 season was the 22nd season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Rangers- Scottish League Division Two :-Scottish Cup:...
, Colman was capped three times for Scotland, winning a fourth cap two years later. His career was interrupted but not ended by the First World War, during which he served in France.
After the war, Colman resumed his Aberdeen career, and was still playing regularly during his final season at the club in 1920, after which he moved to Dumbarton
Dumbarton F.C.
Dumbarton Football Club is Scotland's 4th oldest football club – founded in 1872, just after Queen's Park , Kilmarnock and Stranraer...
as player-coach. He was reported to have still been an active player in 1925, at the age of 47.
Coaching career
While player-coach at Dumbarton, Colman regularly travelled to NorwayNorway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
in the summer months to coach football. He was recalled to Aberdeen as coach in 1931 by Phillips' successor, Paddy Travers
Paddy Travers
Patrick "Paddy" Travers was a football player and manager in the first half of the 20th century. He played for many clubs in his native Scotland and for Barnsley in England, before becoming involved in coaching, and later, managing....
. Colman's second spell at Aberdeen was as notable as his first - he was an innovative and influential coach, spending much time and effort on players' footwork and working on ideas such as possession football and using space. He was convinced of the importance of watching his players' feet, and to help with this, devised the dugout - a sheltered area, set below pitch level which allowed him to observe his players' feet as they played. The idea quickly spread through the game in Britain and further afield, and examples of dugouts at football grounds can still be seen to this day.
Personal life and death
Colman, as befits his reputation as a late starter, did not marry until he was 46. He fathered two children, Edna and Donald, and lived in Aberdeen until his death from tuberculosisTuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
in 1942.