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Regional press news - this story published 07 March 2008

Sports journalist loses long fight with multiple sclerosis

by holdthefrontpage staff

A sports journalist from the west of England has died after an 18-year battle with multiple sclerosis.

John McDonald reported on hockey and cricket during the 1970s for the Evening Post and Western Daily Press, aside from his day job as an industrial buyer.

He also worked for BBC Radio Bristol, where he interviewed local sports stars, presented club cricket on Saturday lunchtimes and worked closely with Kate Adie and Phil Tottle.

He interviewed many big-name sports stars early on in their careers, including teenage cricketers Shane Warne and Allan Border, a young Viv Richards and a 14-year-old skater called Robin Cousins.

John, who went to Bristol Grammar School and lived most of his life in Westbury-on-Trym and Henleaze, founded Adders Hockey Club, Barons Hockey Club and Retainers Football Club.

He was also captain, secretary and chairman of Old Bristolians Cricket Club.

His son Alex said: "Dad would spend every Saturday evening phoning and driving around all the Bristol area clubs for results and stories, right until pub closing time.

"I remember very fondly being dragged around the sports grounds of the south west where he would corner sportsmen in car parks and changing rooms to interview them for Radio Bristol."

John died in hospital on Friday, aged 76. His funeral was due to be held today.

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Emily (07/03/2008 23:36)
76 is a pretty good age. I dont know anything about this chap but it does not sound as if he 'lost' his 'fight' against MS. It sounds as if he had a great life and a lovely family. Signed - a fellow person with MS who does not regard life as a 'fight against MS' - its just part of life and life can still be enjoyable and fulfilling with MS.

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Peggy (08/03/2008 09:44)
Emily is right. I, too, have MS, and yes it is disabling, but people with MS have life expectancies close to the average for the population they are part of, and are not prevented by the disease from leading happy productive lives. When you have MS, it is something you have to adapt to, not something you have to fight.

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Anne Veasey (08/03/2008 11:24)
I agree totally with everything that has been said so far. I have MS as well, and consider that its just one of those things. I'm in a wheelchair, but have met some wonderful people and done all sorts of things I wouldn't have time for if I was still working, like photography, working with Adobe Photoshop, DDP. I was also Chair of Disability Action in Richmond, and the local PPIF, as well as being in the village Sports Hall committee, the list goes on. In a way I'm pleased to have MS I've learned so much about people and places. A battle, certainly not!

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