Sean Graham
As years go you would think that any Motherwell fan would be happy with their lot under new boss Mark McGhee.
The team have been receiving plaudits and praise from all quarters for their style of football under their new gaffer and looked to be going into the new year in fine fettle just behind the Old Firm in third position after a great 5-3 win over Dundee United at Fir Park on the last Saturday of 2007. On any other year you would be right but what happened in the 72nd minute of the match against United will go down in the memory not only of the 5,227 who attended the match but everyone involved in the world of football, when yet again tragedy struck on the field.
Motherwell’s captain and inspiration or “Uncle Phil” as he was fondly known to his fellow team-mates at Fir-Park, suddenly collapsed as he was being substituted and died to leave his family and the football world in a state of utter shock.
The news that this talented, fine, young man and devoted family man had lost his life has stunned the football world to the core.
Phil was in his second spell at Motherwell after spells at Celtic and
He will always be remembered at
Phil had many admirers and one of them was Tommy Burns who took him to
In his time at Celtic Park Phil played 89 times for his boyhood heroes scoring 16 goals and played his part in Celtic’s 1995 Scottish Cup win over Airdrie coming on as a sub and also more importantly being part of the side that stopped the Rangers domination of the Scottish game as Celtic under Wim Jansen won the League Cup and League before the Dutchman left the club to be replaced by Dr Jo Venglos. Although the Hoops did not retain the title, he played his part in an unforgettable match at Celtic Park when Celtic humbled their Old Firm rivals 5-1 at Celtic Park.
But injury problems had seen Phil move away from
Motherwell were always going to be his last club and when Terry Butcher invited him to train with the club it would only be a matter of time before Phil went back to his roots. He re-signed in 2004 and played in a 3-1 win over Dundee United in which his nephew (David Clarkson),scored a hat-trick.
As Mark McGhee came in Phil succeeded Scott Leitch as captain and his influence on the young squad was there for all to see.
Phil was only 35 himself when he was taken from us and his death will leave a huge gap not only at
No one cared that the Old Firm match was cancelled because football is not important at a time like this, but what was important was the respect shown in the matches down in the Premiership, when they all paid respects to Phil by silence or applause.
One man in particular dedicated his goal to the memory of Phil and his family, former
But players and fans of all clubs’ have been shocked by Phil’s death and the support and tributes both outside
Sadly Phil has gone, but he will never be forgotten and anyone who came in contact with him, if only for a couple of minutes, cannot speak highly of just how decent, genuine and down to earth he really was.
The thoughts of everyone are with Eileen, Megan, Christopher, Olivia, Luke and all his family, friends and all at Motherwell, Celtic and Sheffield Wednesday. The world of football has lost a talented, young and dedicated man, but more importantly, they have lost a husband, a father, a son and the prayers of everyone must be with them at this trying time.
Let’s hope that the game in
A boy who lived the dream.
Phil O’Donnell 1972 – 2007
