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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Player's father speaks of shock | Player's father speaks of shock |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Phil O'Donnell's father has spoken of his shock at the death of the Motherwell captain, who collapsed during a match on Saturday. | Phil O'Donnell's father has spoken of his shock at the death of the Motherwell captain, who collapsed during a match on Saturday. |
| Bernard O'Donnell said the family had been overwhelmed by the support and messages from people inside and outside the football world. | Bernard O'Donnell said the family had been overwhelmed by the support and messages from people inside and outside the football world. |
| He said: "None of us can yet comprehend what has happened. We are very grateful for the support we have received." | He said: "None of us can yet comprehend what has happened. We are very grateful for the support we have received." |
| He asked for the family's privacy to be respected to allow them time to grieve. | He asked for the family's privacy to be respected to allow them time to grieve. |
| First Minister Alex Salmond led the tributes to O'Donnell who died after collapsing during Motherwell's SPL game against Dundee United on Saturday. | First Minister Alex Salmond led the tributes to O'Donnell who died after collapsing during Motherwell's SPL game against Dundee United on Saturday. |
| Motherwell FC will announce plans later for a formal tribute to the club captain. | Motherwell FC will announce plans later for a formal tribute to the club captain. |
| Supporters of clubs across the UK have been posting their condolences on the club's website after the tragedy. | Supporters of clubs across the UK have been posting their condolences on the club's website after the tragedy. |
| The 35-year-old former Celtic player leaves a wife and four children. | The 35-year-old former Celtic player leaves a wife and four children. |
| Fans' tributes | Fans' tributes |
| Motherwell fans have been laying scarves, strips and pictures at the gates of Fir Park. | Motherwell fans have been laying scarves, strips and pictures at the gates of Fir Park. |
| The club's scheduled SPL game against Hibs at Easter Road next Wednesday has now been postponed along with the club's home game with Celtic next Sunday. | The club's scheduled SPL game against Hibs at Easter Road next Wednesday has now been postponed along with the club's home game with Celtic next Sunday. |
| Scottish Premier League chairman Lex Gold said: "We understand from Phil's family that they would appreciate it if the Motherwell v Celtic game scheduled for Sunday 6 January could be postponed. | Scottish Premier League chairman Lex Gold said: "We understand from Phil's family that they would appreciate it if the Motherwell v Celtic game scheduled for Sunday 6 January could be postponed. |
| "Both clubs are happy to meet the request and we have called the game off." | "Both clubs are happy to meet the request and we have called the game off." |
| O'Donnell collapsed towards the end of Saturday's match at Fir Park which Motherwell went on to win 5-3. | O'Donnell collapsed towards the end of Saturday's match at Fir Park which Motherwell went on to win 5-3. |
| The circumstances of his death are obviously a huge blow to Scottish football First Minister Alex Salmond | The circumstances of his death are obviously a huge blow to Scottish football First Minister Alex Salmond |
| The club later confirmed that O'Donnell died at 1718 GMT. | The club later confirmed that O'Donnell died at 1718 GMT. |
| Mr Salmond said: "I had seen Phil playing a number of times. | Mr Salmond said: "I had seen Phil playing a number of times. |
| "He was an outstanding young player and a great prospect. | "He was an outstanding young player and a great prospect. |
| "As Craig Brown was saying earlier, injury at a key time probably prevented him getting many, many more Scottish caps. | "As Craig Brown was saying earlier, injury at a key time probably prevented him getting many, many more Scottish caps. |
| "But the circumstances of his death are obviously a huge blow to Scottish football. | "But the circumstances of his death are obviously a huge blow to Scottish football. |
| "My sympathy and condolences go to his family and friends." | "My sympathy and condolences go to his family and friends." |
| Motherwell owner John Boyle said the death was an unspeakable tragedy for Phil's family. | Motherwell owner John Boyle said the death was an unspeakable tragedy for Phil's family. |
| He added: "Everyone at Motherwell is shocked to the core and we are sure that everyone involved in Scottish football will feel the same. | He added: "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." | "Phil was not only an inspirational player for Motherwell and club captain, but was an inspirational person." |
| 'Great professional' | 'Great professional' |
| Former First Minister Jack McConnell, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, was among those to pay tribute. | Former First Minister Jack McConnell, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, was among those to pay tribute. |
| He hailed the midfielder as a "great professional". He said: "As captain he helped transform Motherwell this season. | He hailed the midfielder as a "great professional". 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." | "Phil will be sadly missed by his family and by football fans but he will be mourned by the whole community." |
| The player was described as a "perfect gentleman" by former Scotland coach Craig Brown. | The player was described as a "perfect gentleman" by former Scotland coach Craig Brown. |
| Mr Salmond said the star's death was a "huge blow" | Mr Salmond said the star's death was a "huge blow" |
| He said: "It's very, very sad news, I just can't get over it. | He said: "It's very, very sad news, I just can't get over it. |
| "You would not get a more ideal role model for a young footballer than Phil O'Donnell. | "You would not get a more ideal role model for a young footballer than Phil O'Donnell. |
| "I think in his first spell at Motherwell he was probably the best box-to-box midfield player - maybe not just in Scotland but in the UK." | "I think in his first spell at Motherwell he was probably the best box-to-box midfield player - maybe not just in Scotland but in the UK." |
| Brian Worton, secretary of the Motherwell FC Supporters' Association, told the BBC O'Donnell's death was a "massive loss." | Brian Worton, secretary of the Motherwell FC Supporters' Association, told the BBC O'Donnell's death was a "massive loss." |
| "I feel for his family - his wife Aileen and four children," he said. | "I feel for his family - his wife Aileen and four children," he said. |
| "He was a perfect leader for this football club and led by example. | "He was a perfect leader for this football club and led by example. |
| "You couldn't find a bad thing to say about him. | "You couldn't find a bad thing to say about him. |
| 'Model professional' | |
| "There weren't any off the pitch incidents - nothing. He was just a great, great footballer and a great leader." | "There weren't any off the pitch incidents - nothing. He was just a great, great footballer and a great leader." |
| A statement on the Motherwell Supporter's Trust website said: "The Trust wishes to pass on its condolences to the family of Phil O'Donnell. He was a Lanarkshire boy who earned a Cup Winner's medal for Motherwell. | |
| "He grew to become the captain, a model professional and a great ambassador for the club. The trust will consider the best way to mark his passing." |