| Donald Twells |
 Donald Twells was born on Tuesday, 20th February, 1917, in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The 6' 0 (11st 0lbs) midfielder joined Donald Turner's Thistle as a guest in May, 1940, whilst a St Mirren player. Aged 23, he made his sole appearance on Tuesday, 21st May, 1940, in a 2-1 defeat away to Clyde in the Glasgow Charity Cup. There were no goals for Donald in his one-off appearance for Thistle. His club-list included Edlington Rangers, Doncaster Rovers, Barrow, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Gainsborough Trinity, St Mirren, Partick Thistle and Hull City. Donald died on Wednesday, 21st July, 1999, in Leeds, West Yorkshire, aged 82.
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 The son of Samuel Twells (coal miner) and Annie Twells. Donald had 4 older brothers and an older sister. This big Yorkshire lad, usually a half-back who could play on the left or right, started out with his local team, Edlington Rangers, who played in the Doncaster Red Triangle League in the mid 1930s. Fittingly, his Dad was a miner, and the Rangers traditionally represented the Yorkshire Main Colliery. As a teenager, Donald had a trial in early days with Doncaster Rovers, then again with Barrow in October 1936. In his only game there, he played at left half vs. Great Harwood, and his performance drew comparisons with local legend Jack Crayston from several of the spectators present, after some nice touches and passing play during the game. He was offered a second trial, but travelling difficulties proved too difficult and that was that. The following month, the 19-year-old signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers. In February 1938 he moved on to Midland League outfit Gainsborough Trinity. In his hometown of Edlington later that year, he married Winifred Hatter, herself a local lass. Donald settled with the Trinity for a number of seasons. When war broke out, Donald was still playing with Gainsborough, although his movements become slightly blurry from thereon. JL notes that he played Army football, so we can surmise that he was a soldier. Possibly as a result of his stationing, he played 5 times for St Mirren in the Regional League West of 1939-40. Thistle often used the Glasgow Charity Cup to give guests a run or try out, and this accounts for his sole appearance for the Jags which (probably no-coincidence) came just 3 days after he'd turned out in a 3-1 win for St Mirren against Thistle! Donald went on to play 7 competitive games for Hull City between Dec 1940 - Apr 1941. On account of his service during WWII, Donald is included in our feature piece, The Partick Thistle returned →. |
| (WS/JK/PHW) |
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