ARTICLE: Pope in goal almost 61 years after McDonald

[ClaretTony]

A few words on Nick Pope becoming the first Burnley goalkeeper to play competitively for England since Colin McDonald

See link
http://www.uptheclarets.com/pope-in-goa ... r-mcdonald" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[wilks_bfc]

It was good seeing a Burnley keeper in competitive action and not a meaningless 45mins

My 5yo nephew has just started coming onto games with us this season, and through getting him the matchday programmes, is beginning to recognize the players.

Last night as England were coming out, he got very excited at seeing Pope - but wasn't happy that he didn't see much of him during the actual game

[Suratclaret]

McDonald was Burnley's goalkeeper when I first started watching the Clarets and when he suffered his serious injury, my dad said that Burnley were lucky to have a reserve keeper called Adam Blacklaw to take his place in the first team. Blacklaw made the most of his opportunity. In some ways history has repeated itself with Heaton and Pope. Hopefully, Pope will play international football for many years to come.

[clansman]

Congrats to the Pope! Very proud to watch him last night. Pretty quiet match for him but as always he was calm and efficient.

[Longside4evr]

Brilliant for pope his family and our club and its supporters
The thing i did notice,though he had a quiet game was his distribution it was outstanding i thought

[ClaretTony]

McDonald was Burnley's goalkeeper when I first started watching the Clarets and when he suffered his serious injury, my dad said that Burnley were lucky to have a reserve keeper called Adam Blacklaw to take his place in the first team. Blacklaw made the most of his opportunity. In some ways history has repeated itself with Heaton and Pope. Hopefully, Pope will play international football for many years to come.

I missed McDonald but I've been told countless times just how good he was. Was an absolute privilege meeting him a year ago and I do recall Nick Pope inviting him down to train with the goalkeepers but Colin jokingly pointed to the walking stick he now uses and thought he might not be up to it. I'm always absolutely thrilled when one of our players gets an England call and plays. I never thought it would ever happen again once we'd gone into decline.

[IanMcL]

No doubt Colin McD was taller in his youth, however, Tom was much bigger when he went in and Nick Pope is another level, in height! Upper shelf!

Last night he just out his hand up and stopped one. Pickford would have made that a worldy!

[claretblue]

fantastic photograph!

Thanks to all 3

...and congratulations Nick!

[Royboyclaret]

If Nick Pope can emulate Colin McDonald then he has a massive career ahead of him. McDonald played in every one of England's matches in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden being voted the best goalkeeper in the tournament and only a horrendous injury the following year prevented an even more illustrious career.

Nick shows all the signs of having a similarly successful career and let's hope he does it whilst with Burnley.