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O'Donnell funeral gets under way | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The funeral of footballer Phil O'Donnell, who died after a match on Saturday, is under way in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire. | |
The 35-year-old Motherwell captain collapsed during a match against Dundee United and was pronounced dead a short time later in Wishaw General Hospital. | The 35-year-old Motherwell captain collapsed during a match 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. | |
The Requiem Mass, in St Mary's Church, Cadzow Street, will be followed by interment at the nearby Bent Cemetery. | |
The service, which began at about 1200 GMT, was for family and friends only but dozens of fans arrived outside the church to pay their respects, two hours before it began. | |
It's like a death in the family Helen ReidPhil O'Donnell fan | It's like a death in the family Helen ReidPhil O'Donnell fan |
Jack and Helen Reid, from Lanark, came to pay their respects to a "true gentleman". | Jack and Helen Reid, from Lanark, came to pay their respects to a "true gentleman". |
Mr Reid, 54, said: "He was a real family man and a tribute to Scottish football. I've been following him since he was a boy and everything he did was perfect." | Mr Reid, 54, said: "He was a real family man and a tribute to Scottish football. I've been following him since he was a boy and everything he did was perfect." |
"He had a lot of time for the fans," added Mrs Reid, 62. | "He had a lot of time for the fans," added Mrs Reid, 62. |
"It's like a death in the family. He was a great footballer and never forgot his roots." | "It's like a death in the family. He was a great footballer and never forgot his roots." |
O'Donnell's wife Eileen said she was "devastated" by her husband's death, adding: "The most important thing for him was his family." | |
Inspirational person | Inspirational person |
People attending the service included Jack McConnell, Scotland's former first minister, and Birmingham City and former Scotland manager Alex McLeish. | |
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. |
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. |
A number of supporters turned up to pay their respects | |
The club's scheduled SPL game against Hibs on Wednesday was postponed along with the home game with Celtic on Sunday. | The club's scheduled SPL game against Hibs on Wednesday was postponed along with the home game with Celtic on Sunday. |
Wednesday's Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic, O'Donnell's former club, was postponed as a mark of respect. | Wednesday's Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic, O'Donnell's former club, was postponed as a mark of respect. |
The father-of-four collapsed as he was substituted during his side's 5-3 defeat of Dundee United at Fir Park on Saturday. He died at 1718 GMT. | The father-of-four collapsed as he was substituted during his side's 5-3 defeat of Dundee United at Fir Park on Saturday. He died at 1718 GMT. |
Motherwell owner John Boyle said the club was "shocked to the core" by the loss of "an inspirational person". | Motherwell owner John Boyle said the club was "shocked to the core" by the loss of "an inspirational person". |
Former Scotland coach Craig Brown described O'Donnell as "probably the best box-to-box midfield player in the UK" during his first spell at Motherwell. | Former Scotland coach Craig Brown described O'Donnell as "probably the best box-to-box midfield player in the UK" during his first spell at Motherwell. |
Police said Cadzow Street would be closed between Lower Auchingramont Road and Muir Street between 1000 GMT and 1330 GMT. | Police said Cadzow Street would be closed between Lower Auchingramont Road and Muir Street between 1000 GMT and 1330 GMT. |