29/12/2007 20:34
Motherwell Captain O'Donnell, 35, Collapses & Dies
Phil O'Donnell, the Motherwell captain, has died tonight after collapsing during his team's 5-3 victory over Dundee United.
Motherwell chairman Bill Dickie confirmed the tragic news that O'Donnell, 35, who was taken off the Fir Park pitch on a stretcher in the closing stages of the thrilling SPL clash.
O'Donnell had been about to be substituted by Marc Fitzpatrick, but collapsed onto the turf as the change was being made.
He was treated for around five minutes on the pitch before being carried off on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance.
O'Donnell's nephew, David Clarkson, was also playing in the match, but was clearly distressed by the incident and was quickly taken off.
O'Donnell began his career with Motherwell and rejoined the club in 2004 after having also played for Celtic, whom he joined in 1994 for a £1.75million fee, and Sheffield Wednesday. He also played once for Scotland.
Dickie said: "Unfortunately I can confirm very, very sad news that Phil O'Donnell has lost his life.
"We don't know what it was but there will be a post-mortem.
"This is a tragic happening and that's all I can say."
Motherwell manager Mark McGhee said: "I don't want to say anything more than how devastated everyone at the club is for his wife and his young children.
"That's what we are all feeling tonight, nothing else matters.
"Obviously from the club's point of view we'll gather round to give his family as much support as they need."
Peter Lawwell, the Celtic chief executive, spoke for the Parkhead club, expressing their great sadness at the death of a former player.
"When the news came through, everyone at the club was obviously shocked," said Lawwell.
"Obviously our thoughts are with his family to whom we offer extreme condolences for a tragic loss of a young life.
"Everyone at Celtic Park will mourn him."
Gordon Smith, chief executive of the Scottish Football Association, said: "This is absolutely devastating news.
"Phil was not just a wonderful footballer, he was a great human being. My thoughts are with his family at this tragic time."
Phil O'Donnell's Career Milestones
1972: Born on March 25, in Hamilton.
1990: Made his Motherwell debut as a 17-year-old.
1991: Scored in Scottish Cup final for Motherwell as they beat Dundee United 4-3 to lift the trophy.
1993: Earned his one Scotland cap - as a substitute in the World Cup qualifier against Switzerland.
1994: Joined Celtic for £1.75million.
1999: Transferred to Sheffield Wednesday.
2003: Released by Wednesday after an injury-plagued four years.
2004: Given the chance to train with Motherwell by then manager Terry Butcher, and awarded an 18-month contract, making his second debut against Dundee United in January of that year, when his nephew David Clarkson scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 win.
2005: Played for Motherwell in Scottish League Cup final, but Rangers won 5-1.
2006: Appointed captain of Motherwell, but was injured for most of the season.
2007: April - Signed a new one-year contract as player-coach.
2007: December 29 - Dies, aged 35, after collapsing during Motherwell's 5-3 home win against Dundee United in the Scottish Premier League.
Ian McLoughlin
Scottish football player Phil O'Donnell has died today after collapsing during a game in which his team Motherwell F.C., of which he was captain, were playing Dundee United in a Scottish Premier League match.

O'Donnell collapsed as his substitution for Marc Fitzpatrick was being arranged. He received treatment for around five minutes before being stretchered off and transferred to a waiting ambulance. David Clarkson, O'Donnell's nephew, was also playing at the time and had scored twice but was taken off due to being visibly distressed by O'Donnel's collapse.

Medics from both teams believed he had suffered a seizure. Attempts were made in the ambulance to revive him, but these failed and he was pronounced dead at 17:18 GMT, having been taken to Wishaw General Hospital.

Born on March 25, 1972 O'Donnell made his debut for Motherwell in 1990, and scored the following year in the final of the Scottish Cup, which Motherwell defeated Dundee United 4-3 in. In 1993 he earned his only international cap for Scotland as a substitute in a World Cup qualification match against Switzerland.

The following year he was bought by Celtic for £1.75 million ($3.5 million). He stayed with them for five years, after which he was transferred to Sheffield Wednesday. A high number of injuries caused Sheffield Wednesday to release him after four years, and the next year, 2004, then Motherwell manager Terry Butcher awarded him an 18-month contract. In 2006 he was appointed captain, and in April the following year, upon the expiration of his original contract, signed a new one as a player-coach.

Motherwell chairman Bill Dickie said "Unfortunately I can confirm very, very sad news that Phil O'Donnell has lost his life. We don't know what it was, but there will be a post-mortem. This is a tragic happening and that's all I can say."

Motherwell owner John Boyle told the press "Everyone at Motherwell is shocked to the core, and we are sure that everyone involved 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 Eileen and their four children."

Mark McGhee, manager of the team, said "I don't want to say anything more than how devastated everyone at the club is for his wife and his young children. That's what we are all feeling tonight, nothing else matters. Obviously from the club's point of view, we'll gather round to give his family as much support as they need." 

In a press conference given at the hospital, Motherwell chief executive Ian Stillie said "The management, directors, players and fans are all stunned and having great difficulty in comprehending what has happened over the last few hours. At this stage we do not have all the facts surrounding the tragic death of Phil O'Donnell. We have been in contact with Phil's wife Eileen and his family and they have given us their blessing to speak to the media tonight. Phil collapsed during the second half of the game today. He was standing alone at the time. He was immediately attended to by Motherwell's club doctor and assisted by Dundee United's club doctor. He was transferred almost immediately to an awaiting ambulance and taken to Wishaw General. It is believed Phil suffered some form of seizure and was pronounced dead at 1718." 

Gordon Smith, Scottish Football Association chief executive, told reporters "This is absolutely devastating news. Phil was not just a wonderful footballer, he was a great human being. My thoughts are with his family at this tragic time." Meanwhile, Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said "When the news came through, everyone at the club was obviously shocked. Our thoughts are with his family to whom we offer extreme condolences for a tragic loss of a young life. Everyone at Celtic Park will mourn him."