Les MacDonald, who played 42 times in Exeter City’s 1963/64 promotion campaign, was a key and constant presence during his time at St James' Park. Joining the club from Portsmouth in 1957 he appeared in 294 league games before leaving for Weymouth in 1966. 

Hailing from the North East Les started his football career as an apprentice with Portsmouth although, having signed a full contract in May 1955, he never made a first-team appearance and joined Exeter City in June 1957 for a fee of £200 plus 50% of any future fee received by the Grecians.

This was the start of a lengthy stay at St James’ Park which culminated in playing in the Fourth Division promotion winning team of 1963-64. Making his Grecians debut against Southend United on the opening day of the 1957/58 season, he gradually became a regular fixture in the left-back spot and continued to be so for much of his stay with the Grecians.

After the success of 1963/64, relegation followed in 1966 and Les was one of several players to be given free transfers. Signing for Weymouth he later moved to Essex and is known to have returned to St James’ Park in 2009 for a reunion of the 1964 promotion team. 

Les MacDonald died on 19 August, 2014.