Early life
Donald was born in Aberdeen, the youngest of four brothers. Their father, James F Donald, ran a popular dancing academy in the city, and each of the boys was taught to dance, and to teach dancing. Donald senior expanded the family business by opening a chain of cinemas, and also owned His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen, His Majesty's Theatre and an ice rink in the city. Each of the brothers played a part in the family business, with Peter going on to become chairman of the Howard and Wyndham theatre group, which ran 18 theatres across the UK. During Dick Donald's playing career (see below), he was also manager of the Cinema House, Aberdeen, Cinema House cinema, and was popular among his playing colleagues for the number of tickets he could provide.Playing career
Donald signed for Aberdeen as a professional in 1928, and had a playing career which consisted of two five-year spells at his hometown club, interrupted by one season at Dunfermline Athletic F.C., Dunfermline Athletic in 1933–34 in Scottish football, 1933–34. Donald was a versatile player, who is reported to have played in every outfield position for Aberdeen. He ended his playing career at the outbreak of World War II, but continued to be a successful businessman, and rejoined Aberdeen as a board member in 1949.Football administrator and later life
Donald served on the board of directors of Aberdeen F.C. from 1949 until his death in 1993, becoming vice-chairman in 1960, and Chairman ten years later. The club enjoyed unprecedented success during his chairmanship, winning each of the Scottish domestic trophies more than once, and becoming the only Scottish team to win Aberdeen F.C.#European, two European trophies in 1983. Donald had a reputation for running the club frugally – his most famous manager, Alex Ferguson, Sir Alex Ferguson recounts several tales of his chairman's parsimony in his autobiography, but also notes that Another of Donald's managers, Ian Porterfield, observed: For the majority of the most successful years at Aberdeen, the board of directors consisted of Donald, his vice-chairman Chris Anderson (footballer, born 1925), Chris Anderson and Donald's son Ian Donald (footballer), Ian. Ferguson felt that the arrangement, with Anderson and Donald complementing each other's strengths, was the best he had worked for. Donald was also among many who attended the funeral of boxer George Godfrey (boxer born 1897), Feab S. Williams (better known as "George Godfrey (boxer born 1853), George Godfrey"). Donald died, following a stroke and a battle with Alzheimer's disease in 1993, shortly after the dedication of the Richard Donald Stand at Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen's home ground.References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Donald, Dick 1911 births 1993 deaths Footballers from Aberdeen Scottish footballers Aberdeen F.C. players Dunfermline Athletic F.C. players Chairmen and investors of football clubs in Scotland Aberdeen F.C. directors and chairmen Scottish Football League players Association footballers not categorized by position 20th-century Scottish businesspeople