The hugely promising defender was destined to be one of the corner stones of the Lochs side upon which the Maroons were to build their side.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck and Lochs were robbed of a key player and a family was devastated by the loss of a husband and father in the prime of his life.
Throughout his career Donnie was an imposing yet cultured defender who had the capacity to stamp his authority on a game, rather than merely garnishing it with delicate touches.
He was equally at home at either left-back or centre-half and his heading prowess was well known around the league. In all Donnie was a tremendous athlete and a towering presence in the air and dynamic, strong and fast as a shark over 100m.
Coinneach Macmillan was a school friend and school football team mate of Donnie's and the two's progression through the ranks mirrored that of the other.
Coinneach revealed: "It was in 1971 when the two of us broke into the Lochs side together. We played a few games at the end of that season with Donnie at full-back and me on the wing.
"We were friends in school and always played together in the school team. We had a really good side and in our last year we won three cups: the Builders Cup; the Kemnay Cup and the Roma Cup.
"It was later that year we got our chance with the seniors and I'm sure that Donnie was involved in the Lewis Cup winning squad of 1972."
In addition to a winners medal from 1972 in the final which has become known as the 'Chuck' final on account of the famous Lochs striker's four goal haul in the final against Aths, Donnie also earned an Eilean an Fhraoich Cup winners medal in 1974.
It was the youngsters second EAF Final after being a substitute in the 1971 final which Lochs lost 4 – 3 to Back after extra-time in a replay.
It was a happier occasion three years later as they lifted the much prized cup aloft and alongside Donnie in the team that day was Coinneach when they ousted Point. Coinneach said: "I remember the Eilean an Fhraoich final of 1974 well and I remember Donnie being involved. I can't remember if he was a sub or if he started but I am almost totally sure he played that night.
"He definitely played in the semi-final when we beat Back so I can't see why he wouldn't be involved in the final. We beat Point 2 – 1 and I scored the first goal. I even think I can remember the party afterwards as much as the game as it was the first party in the new Cabarfeidh."
The following season began with Lochs not being ranked among the favourites for the league but a blistering start by the Maroons - who looked to have found a perfect hybrid of youth and experience - saw them lead the table after five games and forced themselves into the mix among the favourites.
Donnie and other youngsters like Angie and Kenny Macmillan lined up alongside older and more experienced heads like John 'Chuck' Macleod, Rob Macleod and Duncan 'Geal' Macleod as they sought the first league title in their history.
Five successive league wins saw the Lochies roar up the league table until two defeats within a week to Rovers and Point away saw their title train almost derailed.
An away trip to Upper Coll to meet fellow title chasers Back then earned crunch status but Lochs regained their form and pursuit of the league with a hard-fought 2 – 1 win.
They then defeated Aths and the School to give their fans genuine hopes of a first ever league flag but unfortunately Lochs couldn't maintain their early season form and they lost three further times.
United - who Lochs had handed their only defeat of the season some months earlier - gained revenge with a 4 – 0 win while a shock loss in Barvas was followed by a first and only home loss of the campaign to Back.
The win saw Back lift the league but the Stornoway Gazette's report on the game praised several of the Lochs players and singled out Donnie for special praise.
It read: 'Lochs have a lot of talented players in their team. Donnie Macleod, although booked early in the second-half, was covering a lot of ground.'
A year later and Donnie is still earning plaudits in the local press in the Stornoway Gazette of August 21, 1976.
This issue contained a report of two Lochs games against the Stornoway sides of United and Aths. The Maroons enjoyed mixed fortunes winning once and losing once but Donnie got himself on the score sheet against United while he and his defensive team mates earned themselves praise for their showing. It read: "Lochs were well served by their defence, expertly playing the offside trap, with their goal scorers prominent."
Donnie's transition to senior stalwart at such a tender age was not a surprise to people who knew him and his former junior league team mates and opponents had long since envisaged a promising local football career.
He received the highest honour available to a young footballer in the isles when he was named as Junior Player of the Year. Donnie was presented with the Hugh Halbert U18 award for the top player below that age in the isles at the time.
"He was really powerful and excellent in the air. He would put his head to absolutely anything and if the ball hit his head it wouldn't hit the ground until the halfway line," added Coinneach Macmillan.
As Donnie marshalled the left-back position, on the opposite flank was a fellow teenager and product of the Lochs youth set-up and Angus 'Beattie Morrison remembers Donnie well. He said: "Donnie had a wicked shot with his left foot. He could hit the ball with real venom but although he had brute force he also had direction and he would regularly take the free kicks in our junior team.
"He was a very tenacious player who was centre-half with the juniors and left-back with the seniors. He helped make up what was a really strong defence with Lochs at that time. It was a really hard back line.
"He was a sure starter and a big part of the team. Off the field he was also a great team mate and he was someone always in the middle of all the crack."
During the 70s' Lochs boasted a terrific side with some of the isles' top youngsters blending alongside some more experienced heads but lady luck didn't seem to favour Lochs who were often pipped at the post and forced to settle for second place in the league.
They were runners-up again in 1974 but Donnie and Lochs could take satisfaction from the fact they inflicted the only league defeat of the season on Champions Point a week after defeating them in the Eilean an Fhraoich Cup final.
By now Donnie was a mainstay in the Lochs side where the immensely talented full back fitted the bill with his assiduous defensive work and high quality attacking work, especially his crossing ability and threat at set-pieces.
He was happily married and a father to a young child, 1979 began promisingly but tragedy struck when the 24 year old died.
A benefit match was arranged by caring team mates, opponents and friends and the Stornoway Gazette of July 1979 reported that 'a special match in memory of a dear friend' was to be held where a Lochs XI would play against a Lewis Select.
The Lewis Select called upon many of the top starlets in the local game in: DJ McCarthy; James Thomson; Ally 'Suggan' Maclean; Murdo Johnson; Magnus Johnson; Iain 'Todd' Mackenzie; Calum Finlay Morrison; 'Nero' Macdonald; Allan George Mackaskill; 'Dano' Macdonald; John Neil Macleod; KJ Mackenzie and Iain Nicolson.
Lochs took the lead in the game through Angus 'Sally' Maclennan but the Select hit-back through Ally 'Suggan' Maclean. Another predatory striker from 'Sally' restored the Lochs lead but again they relinquished their grip on the game as 'Nero' Macdonald found the net.
After the break United's Magnus Johnson gave the Select the lead for the first time in the match before a penalty from Robert Mackay instilled a two goal lead. Lochs' Angie 'Beag' Macmillan halved the deficit but the Select held on for an exciting 4 – 3 win.
It was reported that Aker Offshore employees donated £221 to the gate and the same company also gave referee Peter Loraine time off to referee the game.
In a fitting tribute to their former team mate, Lochs marched to glory in the EAF in 1979 trouncing Back 4 – 1 with goals coming from 'Sally' Maclennan x 2, Angus 'Aosy' Martin and Dan Macmillan.
In memory of Donnie, Lochs FC introduced the Donnie 'Massa' Macleod Cup which is still played for today. The Most Improved Player in the Lochs junior's - across all age groups - is annually honoured with the Cup which is a fitting tribute to the former Junior Player of the Year himself.
Donnie's brother Alasdair 'Billy' Macleod was also a Lochs regular and a key component in the Maroon side of the 1960s and both are greatly missed.