Remarkably, Donald (real name Cunningham) blossomed into a real defensive star at Pittodrie. Donald had begun his Junior career with Glasgow Perthshire under the assumed name of Colman to keep his footballing activities a secret from a forbidding father and the name stuck as he moved on to first Tontine Athletic, Renton and finally Maryhill Juniors before his eventual move to the seniors. It was at the suggestion of Dons inside forward Jimmy "Jumbo" Muir, a former team mate of Colman's at Maryhill, that manager Jimmy Philip gave Colman a try out at Pittodrie and Muir's recommendation was to prove of incalculable worth to Aberdeen FC.

Over the following 35 years Colman became a very important influence on establishing the Dons as a major force in Scottish football. His calculated displays at right back established him as a firm favourite with the Aberdeen following and after only two seasons he was appointed skipper in place of the departed Alex Halkett. Donald was very much a thinking mans defender who relied more on his brain than on his muscle but if the occasion required it he never shirked a tackle. Having astounded his critics by making the grade at Pittodrie, Donald went one better by receiving a surprise call up to the full Scottish international side in 1911 at the tender age of 33. In addition to his four full Scottish caps, he was capped twice by the Scottish League

He made his debut against Wales in 1911 and played in all three internationals that year, acquitted himself well on all three occasions. He was overlooked in 1912 but came back for one final cap in 1913.

Colman, in partnership with left back Jock Hume, became the mainstay of the "Black and Golds" throughout the difficult First World War period and incredibly Donald was around to earn a recall in early 1920 at the ripe old age of 42 when injury left the Dons short at full back. His 347 League and Cup appearances (beating Willie Lennie's old mark) remained unsurpassed until Willie Cooper set a new record just after the 2nd World War. At the end of the 1919-20 season Donald grudgingly conceded to the advance of time and turned his amazing football brain to the development of Norwegian football during the summer months, while coaching his home town team Dumbarton, the rest of the year round. In 1931 he returned to Pittodrie as trainer and established a reputation as a real innovator. His training duties were effectively ended by the outbreak of the 2nd World War and he died of TB in 1942.