John Donaldson was born and raised in Methil and first visited Old Bayview in the late 1950s, starting out watching the reserve team before graduating to following the first team as he grew older.

After leaving school, John served in the Army before joining Fife Fire Brigade. He later worked in the oil industry, both onshore and offshore, until his retirement in 2010.

John joined the East Fife board in 2007 and, apart from a short spell away, has been involved with the club ever since. He also served as the Club Safety Officer, helping ensure compliance with both SFA regulations and fire safety standards. In addition, John remains a regular at Bayview, lending a hand with stadium maintenance as part of a small group of dedicated volunteers.

In recognition of his long-standing service and commitment, John was appointed an Honorary Director in May 2025.