Japan Football Hall of Fame
JFA Hall of Fame Inductee
Christopher W. McDONALD
Inductees Recommended by the Committee (Special Selection)
![Christopher W. McDONALD](/about_jfa/img/hall_of_fame/Christopher_W.McDONALD.jpg)
- Born in London the UK on 13 December 1931
Comes to Japan in April, 1950. After working at National Cash Register Corporation, appointed representative director of Japan Rolex Corporation in 1980, president, chairman and then retires in 2007. JFA Advisor since 1992. Member of J-League Consultative and Mediatory Committee in 1993 to 2008.
Plays football in childhood, joins YC&AC and TRICK club in Japan. Mainly GK. Appears at the National Inter-City Tournament as TRICK club as representative of Tokyo.
Serves as Competition officers at Asia Competition Tournament (Tokyo) in 1958, Tokyo Olympic in 1964, as a liaison of FIFA officials, becomes good friends with Sir Stanley Rous (FIFA chairman from 1961 to 1974) and acts as intermediary of FIFA and JFA.
During late 1960s to 70s, coordinates to invite to Japan The Middlesex Wanderer's Association Football Club (All UK amateur selected club), and competitive England League clubs (at that time) including Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur. International away games are not common at that era, but realized several friendly matches to have the Japan National Team to learn the world-wide level football.
At the Wanderer's second visit to Japan in 1969, the club donates “The Middlesex Wanderer's Cup” to JFA. He awards the Cup to high school champion as presenter. He delivers the Wanderer's’ spirit to raise morality and sportsmanship through football and actively serves as Japan-UK relationship through football. Awarded the fourth Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) in 1978 and The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette in 2009 due to his contribution to cultural communication promotion between the U.K. and Japan and to football development in Japan.
Passes away in 2011.