Serving soldier Donald McKay had come through junior and army football to play a few games for Clyde in the Scottish First Division, when he was posted to Aldershot. It took only five weeks for St Mary’s to spot him and sign him, as an amateur, on Southern League forms. Donald duly purchased his discharge and signed pro. That was ambitious of him. Even though a local journalist  said he was

“a player far above average (and) the best soldier back I have seen in Southampton, his kicking is easy, clean and well judged”  

one of his competitors for the right-back berth was his seasoned compatriot, Sammy Meston. Come December, Donald was out of contention – and soon on his way to Bristol. After alternating between outfits that sounded more like parliamentary constituencies than football teams, he joined Bristol City, a club on the up from the Football League’s Division II. After which, he remained in Bristol, working as a fitter for the Bristol Tramways Company.