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Family and fans mourn O'Donnell | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Hundreds of sporting figures and fans have gathered at the funeral of footballer Phil O'Donnell, who died after a match on Saturday. | |
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 at St Mary's Church in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, got under way at 1200 GMT. | |
The service 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 |
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. | |
More than 500 mourners, in all, attended the event. | |
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." |
Fans have gathered outside the church service | |
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." | |
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. | Former Celtic team-mates Peter Grant and Pat Bonner were also there. |
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. |
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. |
A number of supporters turned up to pay their respects | |
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. |
One floral tribute outside the church read: "The best Beat The Goalie ever." | One floral tribute outside the church read: "The best Beat The Goalie ever." |
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. |
Several matches were postponed following O'Donnell's death, as a mark of respect. | |
The player 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". |