Jack O'Donnell

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Personal information
Jack O'Donnell
Full name	John O'Donnell
Date of birth	1897
Place of birth	Gateshead, England
Date of death	Unknown
Playing position	Defender
Senior clubs¹
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1925-1930 1930-1932	Darlington Everton Blackpool Wigan Athletic	188 (10) 055 0(0)
¹ Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. * Appearances (Goals)

John "Jack" O'Donnell was an English professional football player.

[edit] Career

Born in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, in 1897, O'Donnell, like so many other footballers from the North East, started his career playing for his local colliery team (in his case, Felling). Darlington soon signed him, and he earned a reputation as a hard-tackling full-back. Everton paid around £3,000 for him soon afterwards, a fee that was rare for a defender. The move didn't work out, however, and Blackpool bought him for a similar price.

O'Donnell joined the Seasiders in late 1930, making his debut for the club on December 20, in a home game against Grimsby Town. For the next two seasons he became a regular in the back line as Blackpool tried desperately to retain their recently-achieved First Division status.

O'Donnell's move coincided with a time of trouble for the Blackpool defence. By the end of the 1930-31 season, the club had conceded 125 goals, followed by 102.

Disciplinary problems followed O'Donnell. It was reported on three occasions that the club had suspended him for various matters. Eventually it was mutually agreed to terminate his contract, and O'Donnell played out the remainder of his career in the lower leagues, notably with Wigan Athletic.