Motherwell captain O'Donnell dies after collapsing on the pitch.

Motherwell captain O'Donnell dies 
 
O'Donnell helped Motherwell to a fine win over Dundee United
Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell has died after collapsing towards the end of his side's Scottish Premier League game against Dundee United.
The 35-year-old midfielder fell to the ground just as he was about to be replaced with Marc Fitzpatrick near the end of Motherwell's 5-3 victory.

O'Donnell was treated for around five minutes on the field before being taken to a waiting ambulance.

But his death was later confirmed by Well chairman Bill Dickie.

"This is absolutely devastating news," he said.

"Phil was not just a wonderful footballer, he was a great human being.

"My thoughts are with his family at this tragic time."

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee had spoken briefly to the press after the game before going to hospital to find out how the skipper was.

"He's had some sort of collapse," he said at the time.

 PHIL O'DONNELL'S CAREER
1972 - born in Hamilton
1991 - joins Motherwell
1991 - scores in Scottish Cup final victory over Dundee United
1993 - earns only Scotland cap against Switzerland
1994 - sold to Celtic for a club record £1.75m
1999 - signs for Sheffield Wednesday
2003 - released after injury-hit spell at Wednesday
2004 - returns to Motherwell, becoming club captain

McGhee said O'Donnell's substitution had been "an absolute coincidence" before his sudden seizure.

"We just felt we would save him a bit for Wednesday," said the manager.

O'Donnell's nephew, David Clarkson, was substituted moments later after scoring two goals in the Scottish Premier League match.

McGhee said: "We took Clarkson off because he got a fright from the nature of the collapse.

"A few of the boys got a fright."

A news conference has been called at Wishaw General Hospital, which will be addressed by chief executive Ian Stillie.


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 teenager.

He moved on to Celtic for a club record £1.75m fee, but injury problems were to blight his time with the Glasgow club and his next club, Sheffield Wednesday.

O'Donnell returned to Motherwell in 2004 and became club captain, playing beside his nephew.


Yet again football deals a cruel and tragic hand.
To be honest, didn't know anything about the player, but has shocked and upset me with this news.
My thought's go to his family, friends and the players.

God bless you mate, YNWA

What a tragedy, you hear of it so much these days.   Condolences to his family and friends, RIP matey.

YNWA 

Such sad news. Just heard it on the radio before. Deepest sympathy to all his family, friends and all involved with Motherwell.

What a terrible tragic story........my heart goes out to his family and friends. YNWA.

RIP.

YNWA.

RIP
 
This sort of thing does seem to be happening a lot more often in recent years, the modern game puts more stress on the body than ever in the past. It seems to me that more effective screening needs to be implemented to try & detect problems like this before tragedy occurs.

YNWA


R.I.P

Tragic. 

I can't believe something as terrible as this has come to our attention once again.

RIP mate.

YNWA.

Really bad news, deepest sympathy to all his family and friends, only 35 how terrible  R.I.P x

Wow, my sympathy goes out to his family. He had four children, what a loss.

RIP mate

YNWA

R.I.P Phil

R.I.P. Phil my thoughts go to his friends and family at this tragic time.

Geez, I've recently turned 36...makes you really stop and think. RIP Phil, condolences to all your family and friends. YNWA

Condolences to his family and friends and R.I.P.

R.I.P      Y.N.W.A

R.I.P Captain..My thoughts goes to his family and team-mates. A tragic loss...

Y.N.W.A

So tragic. Condolences to his family

YNWA

Condolgences to his family.

R.I.P.

YNWA

What can you say? its a tragedy R.I.P. YNWA

It's so sad, and shocking. 35 years old! That's not even near 50. He was fit, healthy, had a wife and 4 kids.. and has been taken away. Just like that. It sucks RIP Phil xx

This sort of thing does seem to be happening a lot more often in recent years, the modern game puts more stress on the body than ever in the past. It seems to me that more effective screening needs to be implemented to try & detect problems like this before tragedy occurs.

I agree with you Eddie, I think they should really screen for even the smallest heart problems, because with how intense training and games are nowadays their bodies are under so much more stress than years ago.