RIP Phil O'Donnell

[dinglinga]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeKDbBY_ZyM

Born in Bellshill,O'Donnell began his career with local team Motherwell F.C., making his first team debut in the 1990–91 season. He won a Scottish Cup winner's medal after scoring in a 4–3 victory over Dundee United in the final that year. 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.He won the Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year Award in 1992 and 1994, and he earned one cap for the Scotland national football team against Switzerland. This form made him a target for bigger clubs and he signed for Celtic in September 1994. The fee of £1.75m is the highest Motherwell have received for a player.

O'Donnell scored two goals in his debut for Celtic, and went on to win another Scottish Cup in 1995. He also earned his sole league winner's medal with the club in 1998, but injuries proved to be a major concern and his appearances for the club were limited. 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 signed for Sheffield Wednesday. Injuries continued to curtail his career and he played just one match in his first season (when the club were relegated from the Premier League). He went on to play just 20 times in four years for Sheffield Wednesday and was given a free transfer at the time of their relegation to Division Two in 2003.

O'Donnell returned to Scotland where former club Motherwell offered him the chance to train with them again. 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 also the uncle of St Mirren midfielder Stephen O'Donnell. In his second spell at Motherwell, he was club captain.

[mighty_tiger_79]

the old firm match has been postponed and games played on Jan 2nd players will wear black armbands and a minute silence

[johntheclaret]

Announced today, coroners report said he died of heart failure.

Was at the Blackpool v Burnley game, where a minute of applause was held before the game. Now this is just a personal opinion, but I am not a fan of this minutes applause to celebrate someones life. I prefer to hold a minutes silence as a mark of respect, but like I said, that is just my personal opinion.

[smac]

I've not heard of a minutes applause before John, is it something done over over there?

Could be to warm up perhaps?

[Dirko]

Never heard of clapping someones death before...must be a Pommy thing...

Bit like here we clap blokes that have been stretchered off the ground. Why ? To say well done to the bloke who took you out ?

[JAS]

A little more info for anyone that's interested.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/gla ... 166784.stm

Regards
JAS

[johntheclaret]

We also clap off the wounded here.

Not sure about the clapping thing, replacing a minutes silence. It has started to come in, in the last couple of years. Nonsence to me, but it is supposed to be in celebration of the deceased's life.

[dinglinga]

just think these days when we go to funerals we celebrate a persons life instead of commiserating ...