Don Masson

Donald Sandison Masson (born 26 August 1946 in Banchory) is a Scottish former footballer.

Don Masson
Personal information
Full name Donald Sandison Masson[1]
Date of birth (1946-08-26) 26 August 1946
Place of birth Banchory, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1964–1968 Middlesbrough 53 (6)
1968–1974 Notts County 274 (81)
1974–1977 Queens Park Rangers 116 (18)
1977–1978 Derby County 23 (1)
1978–1982 Notts County 129 (11)
1981 → Minnesota Kicks (loan)[3] 24 (2)
1982–1983 Bulova ? (?)
1983–1984 Kettering Town 6 (1)
National team
1976–1978 Scotland 17 (5)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Masson began his career with Middlesbrough in 1964. He was signed by Notts County manager Billy Gray in 1968 in a joint deal for £7000 along with Bob Worthington.[4] He stayed there for six years before moving to Queens Park Rangers in December 1974 for £100,000. Masson made his debut in the 1-0 home win versus Sheffield United on 14 December 1974.

Although approaching 29 years of age before he played top-level football, his was a signing that underlined the quality of then manager Dave Sexton's judgement. A stylish and creative midfielder, he came to be seen as the final piece in the jigsaw of an exciting and attacking QPR team. The following 1975/76 season saw QPR come close to winning the League title, being pipped by a point by Liverpool.

After three years at Loftus Road he moved to Derby County in October 1977 in exchange for Leighton James. After a further spell at Notts County he played for a time in the United States. Don was voted Notts best player of all time by Notts County supporters and also has a lounge at Meadow Lane named in his honour. On returning to England he became the player-manager of Kettering Town, before retiring from the game.

International career

Masson won 17 caps for Scotland. He scored five goals including Scotland’s first goal in the 2-1 victory over England in 1976 which clinched their first British Home International Championship since 1967.[5] He missed a penalty kick in the 3–1 defeat against Peru in the 1978 World Cup.

Retirement

In retirement he turned his hand in to the hotel business, having bought The Gallery at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, which he later sold. He and his wife now run The Grange,[6] a guest house in Elton on the Hill.

See also

References
  1. "Donald Masson". London Hearts Supporters' Club. Retrieved 26 February 2010.
  2. "Don Masson". www.worldfootball.net. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  3. http://www.nasljerseys.com/Players/M/Masson.Don.htm
  4. https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/xxxx-3481426
  5. Don Masson Statistics FIFA; Retrieved 4 February 2010
  6. "(Home)". The Grange Bed & Breakfast. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
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