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Scots football star dies in pitch tragedy



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Published Date: 30 December 2007
By Gareth Rose
SCOTTISH football was in a state of shock last night following the sudden death of Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell, who collapsed during a Premier League match.
The 35-year-old father of four appeared to suffer a seizure and fell to the ground with just 12 minutes of the game against Dundee United at Fir Park remaining.

Medical staff rushed to his side as a horrified silence descended on the ground. After receiving treatment for several minutes, O'Donnell was taken straight to an ambulance. His wife, Eileen, ran from the stands to join him on the trip to Wishaw General, where he was pronounced dead at 5.18pm.

O'Donnell's nephew, David Clarkson, who was also playing for Motherwell in the match, was substituted after being left in a state of shock by the incident.

Last night former First Minister Jack McConnell, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, led the tributes to the former Celtic player and Scotland international. "Phil O'Donnell was a great professional who was admired by fellow players and fans alike," he said.

"As captain he helped transform Motherwell this season. Phil will be sadly missed by his family and by football fans, but he will be mourned by the whole community."

Motherwell owner John Boyle said: "This is an unspeakable tragedy for Phil's family. At this stage we do not know the exact cause of death, but we are liaising with the medical staff at Wishaw General.

"Everyone at Motherwell is shocked to the core and we are sure everyone in

Scottish football will feel the same. Phil was not only an inspirational player for Motherwell and club captain, but was an inspirational person. All of us at Motherwell are thinking of his wife and their four children."

Mark McGhee, the club's manager, added: "We are all totally devastated and our thoughts are with Phil's wife and family.

"Phil was a great professional and gave everything when he played the game. This is a shocking tragedy."

And former Motherwell manager Maurice Malpas said: "He was very laid-back but if anyone at the club had a problem he was always there to help. He was called Uncle Phil in the dressing room because he was David Clarkson's uncle, but all the players thought of him as their uncle too."

O'Donnell, who earned one cap for Scotland, was lauded as one of the country's brightest talents when he broke into the Motherwell first team as a 17-year-old.

He moved to Celtic for a club record £1.75m fee but injury problems blighted his time at Parkhead and his next club, Sheffield Wednesday.

He returned to Motherwell in 2004 to a warm welcome home from the fans.

Jim Haldane, spokesman for the Motherwell Supporters Trust, said: "The Motherwell Supporters Trust are shocked and saddened at the news of the death of club captain Phil O'Donnell today after the Dundee United game.

"Our thoughts at this sad and tragic time go out to his family and friends as well as everyone at Motherwell Football Club. The trust will consider the best way to mark his passing."

It is the latest high-profile death to blight the game and immediately attracted condolences from Sevilla football director Ram"n Rodríguez Monchi.

The Spanish club suffered a similar tragedy when Antonio Puerta died at the end of August after collapsing during a game.

The full article contains 569 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 30 December 2007 2:32 PM
  • Source: Scotland On Sunday
  • Location: Scotland
  • Related Topics: Motherwell FC
 
1

walter,

30/12/2007 00:42:26
Condolences to the O'Donnell family, the tributes will and deservedly so come in for Phil.
I am sure that every football fan of every club are shocked at this tragedy.
2

Continental,

30/12/2007 01:01:46
Yet another sad day for Scottish sport. Colin McRae a few months ago and now the tragic death of Phil O'Donnell.

Thoughts with his family tonight
3

Swordsman,

Dublin 30/12/2007 01:11:46
First and foremost,heartfelt condolences to the O'Donnell family at this time.A fine player, and MORE importantly,a real gentleman off the field of play.
Its quite a thing to be reminded of our own mortality when our heroes are snatched from us so easily, be it Davie Cooper,Johnny Doyle,Eric Schaedler or Norrie McCathie....Rest in peace Phil.
4

Scullion,

Canada 30/12/2007 01:13:17
#1, I can only hope that your tongue is firmly in your cheek. The love of sport has saved thousands and if more people involved themselves in it, the healthier we'd all be.
This unfortunate fellow must have had a pre-existing condition that was no doubt brought on my exertion. However, it may just as easily have happened through heavy digging in his front garden.
It is indeed a profound tragedy yet how many of us will have the comfort of dying quickly and in the middle of doing something we loved?
I expect the footballing world will make sure his wife and children do not go wanting.
5

Chris Bushe,

London 30/12/2007 01:13:41
A very sad day for the family of Phil O'Donell. My heart goes out to them and all affected.
The post mortem will reveal the cause but many of these sudden deaths in apparently healthy football players are caused by undiagnosed hereditary heart conditions ( such as HOCM ) or sub-arachnoid haemorrages.
Chris Bushe - Brentford supporter, Doctor and football friend. www.footballgroundz.co.uk
6

tartan army 2222,

30/12/2007 01:31:20
A tragedy. I feel for his family. Especially so for his kids - every Christmas from now on will be terrible for them.

Phil probably didn't achieve as much in football as he should have, due in great part to injuries, but was highly respected both as a person and a player.
7

connaughtboy,

stonehaven 30/12/2007 01:45:59
RIP Phil. All thoughts are with you and your family.
8

JamboG,

Florida 30/12/2007 02:00:58
A horrible tragedy for this family and the sport of football. Phil O'Donnell was exactly the same age as me...the thought of what his family are going through is awful.

The banter on these boards is just that. We are all loyal to our own clubs, but for most of us ultimately, we are all one big footballing family.

As a mark of respect, we can do without ALL of the games on Wednesday.
9

Fraser Jambo,

Dunblane 30/12/2007 02:18:55
I agree with JamboG, as a Hearts fan myself - get the lot of the games postponed.

My heart is wrenched apart for Phil's wife and kids because sudden, completely unpredictable deaths like this must just be devastating in so many ways that people like us - but for the grace of God - can't even imagine. We can all say a wee prayer for them at this time, I think.

A true professional in every sense of the word.
10

Colin P,

30/12/2007 03:15:26
Phil was one of football's good guys. He'll be missed by all.
My sincere condolences to his family and friends, and Motherwell F.C and it's supporters.

A true Rangers supporter.
11

steve077,

30/12/2007 05:12:11
Sincere condolences , like every other supporter shocked & saddened by this tragedy.
12

Freda Mair,

30/12/2007 05:29:49
Such desperately sad news and deeply shocking for his family.

I am surprised that the match was not abandoned. Just listening to the radio commentary you could tell the situation was extremely desperate. There is certainly no way of knowing if it would have made any difference but maybe treatment should have continued with the ambulance being brought onto the pitch. If it was a heart attack then those first few minutes are the most critical.

Is the referee the only person who can abandon the game. The players on the pitch must have known the severity of the situation, were they asked if they wanted to continue the game?
13

Helen,

30/12/2007 07:50:23
I can't imagine anyone realised just how tragic this incident was going to turn out to be. Now is not the time to ask difficult questions. Now is the time to remember a true gentleman of football, and hold him, his family and his friends in our thoughts. An incident like this puts lots of things in perspective. He will be sadly missed by all supporters of the beautiful game, but especially by his friends and colleagues at Motherwell.
14

CaliforniaBhoy,

30/12/2007 07:54:49
There are tears in my eyes as I type this...yet ..I have nothing to say!
15

Rednose Harry,

Wallasey 30/12/2007 08:07:27
A sad reminder of our own mortality and that "it's only a game".
RIP Phil - all thoughts are with your family.
16

Dragonlord,

30/12/2007 10:06:22
R.I.P A sad day.
17

Rob7,

England 30/12/2007 10:12:21
Did not know the guy before, my thoughts are with his friends and family. Seems as if there must have been some sort of medical condition
18

wayne bijlyeerheid,

30/12/2007 10:38:48
A great shock, to see a sportsman in the prime of his life go so suddenly.
All thoughts must be with his family.
19

Boy Wonder,

30/12/2007 10:39:05
Not a football supporter by any means ... but this indeed came as great shock. Since condolences from all of my family to Phil O'Donnell's family.
20

KWC,

Liberton, Edinburgh 30/12/2007 10:40:27
Was a great ambassador for the game. He should be highlighted in the hope that youngsters might be influenced.

Football will go on, but hopefully with his memory.
21

beckypumps1,

Fife 30/12/2007 10:41:17
I was tunned in to radio Scotland for this game and turned off midway through the second have.I only found out about this late on last night and am shocked.My Condolences to the O'Donnell family,A loss to any football fan as well.
22

Andrew ICT,

Aberdeen 30/12/2007 10:41:37
#11 I don't think anyone knew the severity of the situation to call the game off at that stage.

Truly terrible news indeed and a sad loss.

Thoughts are with Phils family and friends at this difficult time.

May he rest in peace.
23

romanromanovbro,

edinburgh 30/12/2007 10:42:14
rip phil,my thoughts and hopefully all of hearts fans will be thinking of his wife and kids at this time of tragedy,my condolences to all connected with motherwell fc.
24

Gie's a break,

Edinburgh 30/12/2007 11:50:32
A truly sad loss for the game but more so for his family.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to you all.
25

Thistledhu,

Fife 30/12/2007 12:30:19
Deeply saddend and shocked at the sudden loss of Phil Odonnell.

In game reports he was often at the fore of repoters lips in the impact and guidence he had for motherwell as a team both on and off the pitch, not to forget his career with other teams.

As the year comes to a close my thoughts will be with his family and freinds
26

Ubi,

Edinburgh 30/12/2007 12:45:32
A tragedy for the relatives, certainly.

But the sheer mawkishness of football is sickening.
27

Cologne Celt,

Germany 30/12/2007 13:08:46
RIP Phil O'Donnell and my condolences to his wife and kids.Speaking as a lifelong Celtic supporter,I have to say that the game against Rangers has lost a lot of its meaning now.
As somebody already mentioned,it's only a game,and a tragedy like this really brings that home to you.
28

Allan(handofgod137),

30/12/2007 14:09:07
Very sad, saw the news in the pub after the game at Dens.Condolences to his family from The Derry Boys.
29

Chowder,

Hong Kong 30/12/2007 14:22:56
Life's so unpredictable...
R.I.P. Mr O'Donnell in Heaven, and may God bless his family.
30

DalryMassive,

Edinburgh 30/12/2007 14:24:17
Extremely sad news to hear. Puts 3 points dropped, relegation battles and everything else into perspective.

It's only a game.
31

Thenog,

Komoka 30/12/2007 18:21:06
I am so sorry to hear this dreadful news. What a loss to his precious family and the game. My thoughts and prayers are with them.
32

Sambo,

The deep south 30/12/2007 19:47:04
A sad state of affairs, my condolences to the family. One question I have.. why aren't football players given cardiograms and heart stress tests?
33

Rabhairt,

Cannons Creek Australia 31/12/2007 05:43:47
A very sad and tragic loss.
Condolences to Phil's Family and to his friends, his team mates and Club.

 

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