Phil O'Donnell (footballer)

Philip O'Donnell (25 March 1972 – 29 December 2007) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a midfielder for Motherwell, Celtic and Sheffield Wednesday.

He won a Scottish Cup winner's medal after scoring with a diving header to put Motherwell 2-1 up in a 4–3 victory over Dundee United in the final that year.

[5] That result earned Motherwell entry to European competition for the first time and O'Donnell became the club's youngest player in Europe, playing a tie against Polish side GKS Katowice.

In 1999 O'Donnell was among a number of players who failed to agree terms on a new contract with Celtic chairman Fergus McCann and instead moved on.

He made his debut against Everton on 11 September 1999, but injuries continued to curtail his career and he played just one match during his first season (when the club were relegated from the Premier League).

The Fir Park outfit re-signed him in January 2004, allowing him the chance to appear alongside his nephew, David Clarkson and earning him the club nickname, "Uncle Phil".

He was treated on the pitch for about five minutes by the Motherwell and Dundee United club doctors before being taken by ambulance to Wishaw General Hospital.

[13] He was survived by his wife Eileen, their daughters Megan and Olivia and sons Christopher and Luc, aged twelve, six, ten and four years respectively.

"[citation needed] Motherwell and other fans laid flowers, scarves, strips and other mementos at the gates of Fir Park.

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 6 January 2008 could be postponed.

[17] Players on 30 December in Premier League matches between Derby County and Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City and Liverpool, wore black bands in his honour.

Sheffield Wednesday's matches at Hull City and at home to Preston North End were preceded by a minute's applause as a mark of respect to their former player, with the Hillsborough flags flying at half mast.

[21] The club received hundreds of written tributes from fans as far as Korea and Ukraine, as well as many emotional messages from Sevilla FC, comparing O'Donnell's death to the similar fate of their player Antonio Puerta that August.