Slide Tackles and Boardroom Battles

Slide Tackles and Boardroom Battles

A compelling memoir of triumph, adversity, and resilience from Scottish footballer and executive David Mackinnon.

In February 2022, David Mackinnon suffered a life-threatening fall down a flight of stairs. During his long recovery, he reflected on his life, both on and off the pitch, reconciling memories that had weighed heavily on him for years. The result is Slide Tackles and Boardroom Battles — the incredible true story of Glasgow-born David Donaldson Mackinnon.

From Highbury to Ibrox

David’s football journey began at Arsenal, where he spent four years under the mentorship of the legendary Alan Ball. After successful spells at Dundee and Partick Thistle, Mackinnon achieved his lifelong dream of playing for his boyhood club, Rangers. Over four seasons at Ibrox, he made almost 200 appearances, until a serious knee injury forced him to step back from full-time football.

A Career Beyond the Pitch

David’s footballing story didn’t end there. In 1990, he scored the decisive penalty that secured Kilmarnock’s promotion to the First Division — a career-defining moment. After hanging up his boots, Mackinnon transitioned into a successful business career, eventually returning to football in executive roles with Clyde, Kilmarnock, Dundee, Hamilton Academical, and Greenock Morton.

At Morton, Mackinnon became a central figure in the controversial voting saga that prematurely ended the Scottish football season during the COVID-19 pandemic — a chapter that exposed the complexities of football governance.

More Than a Football Book

Slide Tackles and Boardroom Battles is an open, honest, and deeply personal memoir that explores the physical and mental challenges David faced throughout his career in football and business. It shines a light on the hidden pressures players and executives endure — from the dressing room to the boardroom.

This is not just a football story. It’s a powerful exploration of resilience, ambition, and the human cost of life in the beautiful game. A must-read for football fans, sports enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the untold stories behind the scenes of professional sport.