User:Thefootyman9

James Michael MacDonald (footballer)
James Michael MacDonald (born January 22, 1993                         (age 15) as James Michael Day) is an amateur footballer from Newcastle Upon Tyne, England currently playing for Desoto Knights F.C. and Mansfield High School. He plays Goalkeeper for both teams but has also spent time at forward for non-high school teams. He is noted for his reflexes and shot-stopping.

Physique
MacDonald stands at 6 feet 3 inches tall at only 15 years old, and weighs 185 pounds.

Amateur Football Career
MacDonald first began playing football when he was 11 years old as a forward, but had little joy at scoring goals for a few years. His first team was the Mansfield Express, and after a year of playing outfield, he began to play keeper. After learning the position for a few months, it became apparant that MacDonald showed some skill at the position along with his height at 6 feet when only 13 years old. After a few years of having to self-teach himself the position, he began to receive professional coaching from Craig Jones, former Stockport County striker. After training with Jones for a while, MacDonald showed potential to be a good goalkeeper, and decided to begin playing the position regularly. He continued playing for Mansfield Express, and did well in early seasons, conceding less than 10 goals in 20 games. However, the team was moved to a new league much stronger than the previous one. Express finished in last place 3 seasons in a row with only 3 points combined from all seasons. Across the 3 seasons they scored only 15 goals in 30 games and conceded 180. Despite this large goal difference, MacDonald was on top form all seasons, making 630 saves in the 3 seasons, averaging 21 saves a games. He received the MVP award all seasons and was Captain for the team. He was also the Penalty Kick taker, and was the leading scorer in the 3 seasons with only 11 goals, including 8 Penalty Kicks, 1 shot and 2 headers. During these 3 seasons, however, MacDonald had been followed closely by an opposing team, the Desoto Knights. Having impressed in games against them, once holding a clean sheet in a game where he faced upwards of 30 shots, the team wished to move MacDonald to their team. MacDonald made the move without hesitation, as the Mansfield Express team disbanded after the previous season. In the most recent and MacDonald's first season with the team, MacDonald kept 6 clean sheets in 10 league games, including every home game of the season. The team also took part in Mesquite Halloween Spookout Tournament and Duncanville Invitational tournament, placing 2nd in both. In both finals, Desoto faced the same team, CDI Blue 93, losing 3-0 and 2-0 respectively. Desoto are scheduled to play in the State Tournament of Champions between December 5th-7th.

High School Football Career
MacDonald was selected along with 3 other keepers out of 8 keepers trying out for Mansfield High School's football team, receiving number 26. Being the youngest and least experienced of the 4 new keepers to the team, MacDonald received little playing time in his Freshman year, playing in only 4 games and conceding 1 goal. In his Sophmore year, MacDonald retained his number, and played many more games for the team, appearing in more than 10 district games and conceding no goals. Mandfield's Junior Varsity team finished MacDonald's second season undefeated in all District games and finished in 4th place at the Stephenville Pre-Season Varsity Tournament, going to a shootout in the match for 3rd place, in which MacDonald took part in, saving 2 of the 4 attempts at him. MacDonald is about to enter his 3rd season with the team, yet it is unannounced whether he will be appearing in the Junior Varsity or Varsity squad in the upcoming season.

Professional Support
MacDonald is known to be an avid Newcastle United F.C. supporter, and is known for always wearing a Newcaslte United Goalkeeper's Jersey with both his last name and the number 1 for his non-high school teams. Among his other teams he supports are ACF Fiorentina and Glasgow Rangers F.C. MacDonald idolizes professional keepers Shay Given and Sebastian Frey.