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Family and fans mourn O'Donnell Family and fans mourn O'Donnell
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of sporting figures and fans gathered for the funeral of footballer Phil O'Donnell, who died after a match on Saturday.Hundreds of sporting figures and fans gathered for the funeral of footballer Phil O'Donnell, who died after a match on Saturday.
The 35-year-old Motherwell captain collapsed during a game against Dundee United and was pronounced dead a short time later in Wishaw General Hospital.The 35-year-old Motherwell captain collapsed during a game against Dundee United and was pronounced dead a short time later in Wishaw General Hospital.
A post-mortem examination revealed he had died from heart failure.A post-mortem examination revealed he had died from heart failure.
The Requiem Mass at St Mary's Church in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, got under way at 1200 GMT. The Requiem Mass took place at St Mary's Church in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire.
The service, conducted by Father Henry O'Brien, was for family and friends only but dozens of fans arrived outside the church to pay their respects, two hours before it began. The service, conducted by Father Henry O'Brien, was for family and friends only but hundreds of fans gathered outside the church to pay their respects.
A guard of honour was formed by the Motherwell youth team for the arrival at the church of the player's grieving widow, Eileen, and their four children, who each carried a single rose. A guard of honour was formed by the Motherwell youth team for the arrival at the church of the player's grieving widow, Eileen, and their four children.
He made time for everyone and we all felt very comfortable in his company. He is an example to us all Chris McCartFormer Motherwell captain He made time for everyone and we all felt very comfortable in his company. He is an example to us all Chris McCartFormer Motherwell captain class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7172121.stm">Final farewell to Uncle Phil
Two of O'Donnell's nephews, both footballers, were among the family mourners - David Clarkson, who plays for Motherwell and was on the pitch when his uncle collapsed, and Stephen O'Donnell, who plays for St Mirren.
More than 500 mourners attended the event.More than 500 mourners attended the event.
Former team-mate and Motherwell captain Chris McCart was among those to read a tribute to O'Donnell during the service.Former team-mate and Motherwell captain Chris McCart was among those to read a tribute to O'Donnell during the service.
Recalling how he had first met the player when he turned professional, McCart said: "He was a young, skinny, 16-year-old lad but even then he showed a great maturity and positive attitude in everything he did.Recalling how he had first met the player when he turned professional, McCart said: "He was a young, skinny, 16-year-old lad but even then he showed a great maturity and positive attitude in everything he did.
"As a person he was approachable, with no airs or graces. He made time for everyone and we all felt very comfortable in his company. He is an example to us all.""As a person he was approachable, with no airs or graces. He made time for everyone and we all felt very comfortable in his company. He is an example to us all."
Football supporters Jack and Helen Reid, from Lanark, came to pay their respects to a "true gentleman".
"He had a lot of time for the fans," said Mrs Reid, 62.
O'Donnell collapsed during a match against Dundee United
"It's like a death in the family. He was a great footballer and never forgot his roots."
Derek Moore, 33, a Motherwell fan for 25 years, from Carfin, added: "When Motherwell won the Scottish Cup in 1991 and he scored one of the goals, it was one of the greatest days of my life as a Motherwell fan."Derek Moore, 33, a Motherwell fan for 25 years, from Carfin, added: "When Motherwell won the Scottish Cup in 1991 and he scored one of the goals, it was one of the greatest days of my life as a Motherwell fan."
O'Donnell collapsed during a match against Dundee United
A large number of figures from the footballing world arrived at the church, including Celtic captain Stephen McManus, O'Donnell's former assistant manager at Celtic, Murdo MacLeod, and former Motherwell manager Maurice Malpas.A large number of figures from the footballing world arrived at the church, including Celtic captain Stephen McManus, O'Donnell's former assistant manager at Celtic, Murdo MacLeod, and former Motherwell manager Maurice Malpas.
Former Celtic team-mates Peter Grant and Pat Bonner were also there, along with Everton striker and former Motherwell player James McFadden.Former Celtic team-mates Peter Grant and Pat Bonner were also there, along with Everton striker and former Motherwell player James McFadden.
O'Donnell's Motherwell team-mates arrived an hour before the start of the service, led by manager Mark McGhee.O'Donnell's Motherwell team-mates arrived an hour before the start of the service, led by manager Mark McGhee.
Jack McConnell, Scotland's former first minister, and Birmingham City and former Scotland manager Alex McLeish also attended.Jack McConnell, Scotland's former first minister, and Birmingham City and former Scotland manager Alex McLeish also attended.
'Deeply moved''Deeply moved'
Outside the church lay wreaths from football supporters and clubs across the UK.Outside the church lay wreaths from football supporters and clubs across the UK.
O'Donnell's former club Sheffield Wednesday and Scots football legends John Collins and Tommy Burns were represented.O'Donnell's former club Sheffield Wednesday and Scots football legends John Collins and Tommy Burns were represented.
Wreaths were laid as a mark of respect to O'Donnell
After the Mass, O'Donnell's coffin was carried from the church to the waiting hearse.After the Mass, O'Donnell's coffin was carried from the church to the waiting hearse.
His former Celtic and Sheffield Wednesday team-mate Simon Donnelly was among the pallbearers.
One fan carried O'Donnell's Motherwell nickname on his shirt
As the cortege headed off to Bent Cemetery for the burial, the crowd outside broke into spontaneous applause.
Several matches were postponed following O'Donnell's death as a mark of respect.Several matches were postponed following O'Donnell's death as a mark of respect.
His father, Bernard, thanked all the people who had shown support for the family over the last week and at the funeral.His father, Bernard, thanked all the people who had shown support for the family over the last week and at the funeral.
"From the moment this terrible tragedy happened, we have been deeply moved by the efforts made to comfort and assist our family," he said in a statement issued after the service."From the moment this terrible tragedy happened, we have been deeply moved by the efforts made to comfort and assist our family," he said in a statement issued after the service.
"This has meant a great deal to Eileen and everyone in the family.""This has meant a great deal to Eileen and everyone in the family."