AT the tender age of 16 years and 358 days, Neil McDonald became the youngest player to play league football for Newcastle United.

A product of the soccer hotbed of Wallsend, he played in the same team as St James' Park legends Kevin Keegan and Terry McDermott and proudly wore the black and white of the famous Magpies for the next six years.

But don't waste your breath asking the Wanderers' chief coach whether he will have mixed feelings at the Reebok.

"You must be joking," he says. "Even my dad, who is coming down for the game will be supporting Bolton because they are my team.

"It's always a bit special when you come up against one of your old teams ... Everton's the other one for me this year. But Bolton is one of my old clubs too and helping them get into the Premiership in 1995 was memorable."

Injuries kept McDonald's appearances for Wanderers down to just a handful in two seasons but he recovered from a broken leg in time to figure in the unforgettable Play-off Final triumph over Reading at Wembley.

"I was substituted at half time," he recalls of Bruce Rioch's tactical switch that was to prove a masterstroke, "but I'm proud to have played a part in that final game."

Different experience

Unlike many who progress from the playing ranks to the backroom staff, McDonald has never regretted hanging up his boots. He has been too busy for one thing, acquiring the 'C', 'B' and 'A' FIFA coaching licenses since Preston boss Gary Peters gave him the role of youth coach at Deepdale. But he gets as much of a thrill from playing a part behind the scenes as he did on the pitch.

"It was a different experience but playing a part in helping Bolton get up into the Premiership was just as good as helping them up when I was a player," he explains.

"As a player you just went out and played, there's so much more to being a coach. You have to know the players, know what they can do and, with the help of all the support staff, you have to ensure the preparation is right. At Cardiff we felt confident that we'd done everything right, we never thought Preston would beat us and I think that confidence was reflected in the performance."

McDonald still keeps in touch with former Newcastle pals John Carver, Bobby Robson's first team coach, and physio Paul Ferris, and still marvels at the way football is woven into the fabric of society in his native North East. "They eat and breathe it up there," he says.

But he no longer lays claim to that record he set back on October 23, 1982 when Arthur Cox's Magpies lost 2-1 at home to Barnsley in the old Second Division.

"Steve Watson took the record, beating mine by 20 or 30 days," he points out. "And I can't see that ever being beaten. Managers are more inclined to sign a new player these days than give a youngster a chance like I had."