McDonnell to have his long-service honoured (From Worcester News)

McDonnell to have his long-service honoured

8:30am Tuesday 2nd March 2010

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GOALKEEPER Danny McDonnell is to have his service to Worcester City honoured with a testimonial.

The 36-year-old spent nine years at St George’s Lane and finally hung up his gloves last summer.

In that time, he made more than 350 appearances, breaking the club’s all-time keeper appearance record in the process, and establishing himself as one of the best stoppers outside the Coca-Cola League.

McDonnell’s status as a City hero among fans was underlined when they raised £1,000 in 24 hours to pay for him to have shoulder surgery in January 2008, money he later refunded after the hospital waived their fee.

However, he decided to call it a day last August to devote more time to his family and job, but only after a brief stint as a coach out of loyalty to the club, having turned down offers to play elsewhere.

As part of his testmonial, a golf day will take place in the spring followed by a match at the Lane during pre-season.

City fan Steve Goode is charing a committee to ar-range the events and details of dates are still being fin-alised.

Caretaker manager Carl Heeley, who played alongside McDonnell under former manager John Barton, said: “I am sure he will get the full support of everybody.”