In this second instalment of our min-series revealing the former lives of professionals operating across the protection and health sectors, Chris McDonald, business development manager at Guardian, tells Health & Protection about winning the FA Youth Cup playing for Arsenal, how his football career taught him the importance of teamwork, and why he will take defeat to Coventry tonight if it means the Gunners can add European silverware come May.
Signing for Arsenal
“I signed for Arsenal when I was 16 back in 1991 and moved down to London,” McDonald tells Health & Protection.
Following his big break which came after he was scouted playing football for his local team in Edinburgh aged 14, McDonald reveals he would subsequently spend school holidays travelling down to Arsenal’s former home Highbury for training at trials.
“As soon as I had the opportunity to sign it was a dream come true,” McDonald continues. “I supported Arsenal as a kid because I had family in London and after doing a tour of Highbury when I was about nine, I knew they were the team for me.”
Winning the FA Youth Cup
Reflecting on his playing career, McDonald adds he does not have a single bad memory of living in London and playing football for his boyhood heroes.
“But if I had to pick a couple of my fondest memories, I would say winning the FA Youth Cup [beating Millwall 5-3 in 1994], cleaning David Rocastle’s boots, getting to work with Ian Wright, and having a night out with Paul Merson,” McDonald continues.
Trying to dislodge the famous four
While McDonald’s team mate Stephen Hughes would break into the first team and would be part of the team that would win the club’s first league and cup double since 1971, McDonald had an infinitely tougher challenge with perhaps the greatest defenders in Arsenal’s history standing in his way.
“I was a centre back and it was the time of the famous back four of Adams, Bould, Winterburn and Dixon,” McDonald continues.
“Unfortunately, I was never going to be able to lace any of their boots, so my time came to a natural end after spending a season in the reserves.”
Moving on
After playing for Arsenal, McDonald would move onto one of both Bould and Dixon’s former clubs.
“I spent a season at Stoke City, but that was plagued by a serious knee injury which meant I had to leave there after only one season,” he adds. “Next on the list was a couple of seasons at Hartlepool United, but again my knee injuries caught up with me and I had to retire from professional football.”
Stumbling into protection
After hanging up his boots, McDonald would embark on an entirely different career path.
“In a way I was lucky to finish my footballing career so early as it gave me the opportunity to embark on another career from a relatively early age,” he continues.
“I stumbled into financial services after trying several different jobs. I started in customer services, learning the ropes before moving into the world of sales where I found protection to be my passion.
“While I started as a telephony account manager then moved into sales management but found my calling when I was offered a BDM role at Guardian. Here, I get to talk about protection every day with advisers and have a proposition that I truly believe in.”
No regrets
But McDonald reveals he does not have any regrets about the way things have turned out.
“I don’t believe in regrets, only learning opportunities,” he continues. “Sure, I would have loved to stay at Arsenal forever and become a world-famous successful footballer. But then I would never have had the experiences and opportunities that have come my way since.”
Teamwork makes the dream work
In terms of lessons learned as a player, he considers teamwork is the most important aspect.
“Individuals don’t win the prize in football and individuals don’t make for a successful business,” he continues.
“Strong teams do, and I’m extremely fortunate to have played with some amazing leaders like Tony Adams in my footballing career. And now, I get to work with the best team in the protection industry.”
Settling for European glory
As for tonight’s game which sees champions Arsenal taking on Coventry on the opening day for the first time since summer 1993, McDonald admits he would take a repeat of that 3-0 reverse if it means the club can lift European silverware for the first time since 1994.
“I was actually at that game at Highbury 33 years ago and can remember it well,” McDonald adds.
“It wasn’t the best start to a season, but we went on to win a European trophy the next year, in 1994, so I would settle for the same result if it meant we finally achieved European glory.”
