Ryan Donaldson
FullnameRyan Mark Donaldson
Birth date1 May 1991 (age 35)
Birth placeNewcastle upon Tyne, England
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1]
PositionWinger, attacking midfielder
CurrentclubAshington
Youthyears 12001–2008
Youthclubs 1Newcastle United
Years 12008–2012
Clubs 1Newcastle United
Caps 12
Goals 10
Years 22011
Clubs 2→ Hartlepool United (loan)
Caps 212
Goals 20
Years 32011
Clubs 3→ Tranmere Rovers (loan)
Caps 31
Goals 30
Years 42012–2013
Clubs 4Gateshead
Caps 439
Goals 48
Years 52013–2016
Clubs 5Cambridge United
Caps 598
Goals 511
Years 62016–2017
Clubs 6Plymouth Argyle
Caps 626
Goals 62
Years 72017–2021
Clubs 7Hartlepool United
Caps 7123
Goals 76
Years 82021–2024
Clubs 8Morpeth Town
Caps 8100
Goals 85
Years 92024
Clubs 9Blyth Spartans
Caps 910
Goals 90
Years 102025–
Clubs 10Ashington
Caps 1054
Goals 102
Nationalyears 12007–2008
Nationalteam 1England U17
Nationalcaps 111
Nationalgoals 10
Nationalyears 22009–2010
Nationalteam 2England U19
Nationalcaps 210
Nationalgoals 21
Club-update00:44, 18 May 2026 (UTC)
Nationalteam-update07:48, 31 May 2010 (UTC)

Ryan Mark Donaldson (born 1 May 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Ashington.

Club career

Newcastle United

Donaldson joined his hometown club at aged 9. He made his way through the academy to the u18s where he reached the semi-final of the FA Youth Cup in 2007 and captained the team to the fifth round in 2009 where they lost out to Manchester City.[2][3]

After being promoted to the first team for the 2008–09 season, Donaldson made the bench for a handful of games but did not manage to make an appearance. He eventually made his league and home debut for Newcastle on 31 August 2009 in the 1–0 home win against Leicester City[4] and then made his second appearance as a second-half substitute for Ryan Taylor playing the final 15 minutes of the game in a 4–0 victory over Ipswich Town on 26 September 2009.[5] He made his full debut when Chris Hughton handed him and several youngsters a starting role in the 22 September League Cup game away at Peterborough United.[6] He was a regular member of the squad which won the championship that season, collecting a winners medal after the last game of the season at home to Ipswich Town.

His second Newcastle start came in the 2010–2011 season when he played in the second round League Cup tie against Accrington Stanley in central midfield alongside Haris Vučkić.[7]

On 24 January 2011, Donaldson joined Hartlepool United on a month-long loan.[8] He made his debut the following day in a 1–1 draw with Notts County.[9] On 25 February, Hartlepool extended Donaldson's loan for a further month.[10] After his next loan move to Tranmere was cut short by a torn hamstring, he was released by Newcastle United on 1 June 2012.[11]

Gateshead

On 17 August 2012, Donaldson turned down interest from League 1 and the SPL to sign for local Conference Premier side Gateshead until 1 January 2013.[12] He made his debut the following day as a substitute in a 1–1 draw with Forest Green Rovers.[13] He scored his first senior goal on 24 August 2012 in a 2–1 win over Stockport County, before being sent off late in the game.[14] On 26 November 2012, Donaldson signed an extension to his contract until the end of the 2012–13 season.[15]

Cambridge United

On 23 May 2013, Donaldson chose to leave Gateshead and signed for Cambridge United on a two-year deal when the 12/13 came to a close, thus reuniting with his former Newcastle academy director Richard Money. Donaldson scored twice in Cambridge's 4–0 FA Trophy victory over Gosport Borough. He then scored the winner in the Conference Promotion Final as Cambridge overcame his old team Gateshead 2–1 at Wembley. He received the man of the match award on both Wembley visits.

Donaldson left Cambridge United at the end of the 2015–16 season.[16]

Plymouth Argyle

Donaldson became the first summer signing for Plymouth Argyle in June 2016.[17]

Donaldson made 22 appearances before he was sidelined in December 2016 with a broken jaw, suffered during a training ground collision.

Hartlepool United

Donaldson signed for Hartlepool United on a two-year deal in June 2017.[18]

After his first season, Donaldson was made available for transfer by manager Matthew Bates.[19] However, he was back in favour and made team captain under new manager Craig Hignett and signed a contract extension in May 2019.[20]

Donaldson scored what proved to be the decisive penalty in a 5–4 shoot-out win over Torquay United in the 2021 National League promotion final. This helped Hartlepool to return to the EFL after a four-year absence and secured the club's first promotion in 14 years.[21]

On 13 July 2021, Donaldson left Hartlepool after turning down a deal to stay at the club.[22]

Morpeth Town

On 16 July 2021, Donaldson signed for Morpeth Town.[23]

Blyth Spartans

On 18 June 2024, Donaldson joined Northern Premier League Premier Division side Blyth Spartans.[24] He departed the club in December 2024.[25]

Ashington

In January 2025, Donaldson signed for Ashington.[26]

International career

In the summer of 2007, Donaldson was called up to the England U17 squad and made his debut on 31 July at the Nordic Championships,[27] helping them to a third-place finish. He took part in the Algarve Tournament the following summer[28] and England's unsuccessful 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying campaign.

Donaldson was promoted to the U19s and made his debut in September 2009. He started and scored the opening goal in a 3–1 win over Slovenia.[29]

He played regularly during the U19s' run to the European Championship semi-final before they were defeated 3–1 by Spain.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Newcastle United2009–10[30]Championship202010—50
2010–11[31]Premier League000010—10
2011–12[32]Premier League000000—00
Total2020200060
Hartlepool United (loan)2010–11[31]League One120000000120
Tranmere Rovers (loan)2011–12[32]League One1000000010
Gateshead2012–13[33]Conference Premier39810—3[a]0438
Cambridge United2013–14[33]Conference Premier30410—8[b]3[c]397
2014–15[34]League Two38541111[d]0447
2015–16[35]League Two302201000332
Total981171219311616
Plymouth Argyle2016–17[36]League Two26230102[e]0332
Hartlepool United2017–18[33]National League20200—00202
2018–19[33]National League43130—2[a]1482
2019–20[33]National League34351—1[a]1405
2020–21[33]National League25010—4[f]0300
Total12369100721398
Morpeth Town2021–22NPL Premier Division363520052467
2022–23NPL Premier Division35220—10382
2023–24NPL Premier Division29020—10320
Total10059200721169
Blyth Spartans2024–25NPL Premier Division10010—1[a]0120
Ashington2024–25NPL East Division16200—00162
2025–26NPL East Division38010—20410
Total542100020572
Career Total462343045124652145
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  2. ^ Five appearances in the FA Trophy, Three appearances in the Conference play-offs
  3. ^ Two goals in the FA Trophy, One goal in the Conference Play-offs
  4. ^ One appearance in the Football League Trophy
  5. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy
  6. ^ One appearance in the FA Trophy and three appearances in the National League play-offs

Honours

Cambridge United

Plymouth Argyle

Hartlepool United

References

  1. ^ Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013. 43rd ed. London: Headline. 2012. p. 501. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  2. ^ "Donaldson in charge". TheFA.com. 16 January 2009.
  3. ^ "City into last eight". TheFA.com. 5 February 2009.
  4. ^ "Danny Boy Sends Toon Top!". nufc.co.uk. 31 August 2009.
  5. ^ "Toon Back Top As Nolan Nets Treble!". nufc.co.uk. 26 September 2009.
  6. ^ "Young United Exit Carling Cup". nufc.co.uk. 22 September 2009.
  7. ^ "Accrington Stanley 2 – NUFC 3". nufc.co.uk. 25 August 2010.
  8. ^ "Hartlepool United move for Newcastle striker Donaldson". bbc.co.uk. 24 January 2011.
  9. ^ "Hartlepool vs Notts County". hartlepoolunited.co.uk. 25 January 2011.
  10. ^ "Hartlepool extend Ryan Donaldson loan deal". chroniclelive.co.uk. 25 February 2011.
  11. ^ "Magpies Announce Retained List". Newcastle United. 1 June 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  12. ^ "Gateshead sign Ryan Donaldson". Gateshead FC. 17 August 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  13. ^ "Gateshead 1–1 Forest Green". BBC Sport. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  14. ^ "Stockport 1–2 Gateshead". BBC Sport. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  15. ^ "Donaldson commits to Gateshead". Gateshead FC. 26 November 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  16. ^ "Cambridge United announce retain/release list". Cambridge United FC. 9 May 2016.
  17. ^ "Ryan Donaldson signs for Plymouth Argyle after Cambridge United exit". Sky Sports. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  18. ^ "Ryan Donaldson: Former Plymouth winger agrees terms to join Hartlepool". BBC Sport. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  19. ^ "Hartlepool United release three players - and put another SIX on the transfer list". Hartlepool Mail. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  20. ^ "Hartlepool United confirm Ryan Donaldson contract extension". 23 May 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  21. ^ "Hartlepool return to Football League after penalty shoot-out win over Torquay". FourFourTwo. 20 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  22. ^ "Pools skipper Ryan Donaldson is leaving club". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  23. ^ "Former Hartlepool United Captain Ryan Donaldson Joins Morpeth Town". Morpeth Town AFC. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  24. ^ "Ryan Donaldson joins Blyth Spartans". www.blythspartans.com. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  25. ^ "Duo depart Spartans". www.blythspartans.com. 20 December 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  26. ^ "Ashington boss delighted to add experienced midfielder Ryan Donaldson to Ashington squad". www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  27. ^ "Third degree for Lions". TheFA.com. 4 August 2007. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012.
  28. ^ "England thrive in Algarve event". UEFA. 5 February 2008. Archived from the original on 7 February 2008.
  29. ^ "Ryan flying for Lions". nufc.co.uk. 12 October 2009.
  30. ^
  31. ^
  32. ^
  33. ^ "R.Donaldson". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  34. ^
  35. ^
  36. ^
  37. ^ Osborne, Chris (18 May 2014). "Cambridge United 2–1 Gateshead". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  38. ^ Lavery, Glenn (23 March 2014). "Donaldson at the double for Cambridge in FA Trophy final". The Football Association. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  39. ^ Pilnick, Brent (20 June 2021). "Hartlepool United 1–1 Torquay United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 June 2021.