Motherwell and Celtic Football Clubs today jointly announced that Celtic Park is to stage a fund-raising tribute match to the late Phil O'Donnell.
Following recent discussions between Celtic FC and Motherwell FC and Phil's family, the match will take place at Celtic Park on Sunday, 25th May 2008 . Proceeds from the match will go towards the Phil O'Donnell Trust as well as a range of charitable organisations.
Phil died tragically in December of last year, after collapsing during a match at Fir Park .His loss was mourned by everyone in Scottish football.
Members of Motherwell's incomparable 1991 Scottish Cup winning side will play Celtic's famous 1998 League winning team in a poignant tribute to Phil, who played for both Clubs so successfully.
Celtic's Chief Executive Peter Lawwell commented, "We are delighted to be hosting this match at Celtic Park , an event which we feel will be a fitting tribute to Phil, a man who was loved and respected by so many. The tragic events of December are still very fresh in the memory and we felt it was very important that an appropriate gesture was made, to honour the life of Phil. Both ourselves and Motherwell FC will be working closely to ensure that this event is a great success. We will also ensure that Phil's wife Eileen and family will be closely involved".
"We are sure the occasion will be one where the whole of Scottish football will pay their respects to Phil and celebrate the life of such a great man".
Ian Stillie, Motherwell's Chief Executive said, "We felt this is one of the most appropriate ways in which to remember and honour Phil. The match will involve players who knew Phil personally and will clearly be an emotional occasion. It will also be an opportunity for supporters of any team to pay their respects to a man who was taken so young in such tragic circumstances. Everyone at Motherwell was deeply affected by Phil's death, and are proud to unite with Celtic and football fans everywhere to celebrate the life of such an iconic player."
More details will be confirmed soon...
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Main Stand renamed after Phil O'Donnell
Motherwell Football Club today announced that the Main Stand at its Fir Park stadium is to be renamed the Phil O'Donnell stand.
Motherwell owner John Boyle said: "Since Phil's death there has been a heartfelt desire by everyone associated with Motherwell and throughout the football world to create a lasting memorial to Phil at Fir Park.
"There have been many suggestions put forward on how this should be done and all with the very best of intentions. However, the club and our supporters believe the renaming of the main stand as the Phil O'Donnell stand is entirely fitting in view of the outstanding contribution Phil made to the club over many years. We have consulted members of Phil's family who have indicated their support and appreciation of this tribute."
The Phil O'Donnell stand signage will be unveiled at the beginning of next season along with a commemorative plaque. A dedication ceremony will take place to which Phil's family will be invited.
Phil's father, Bernard, said: "We have all been deeply touched by the reaction to Phil's death and Eileen and the rest of the family will always be grateful for the kindness that has been shown. The family regards the naming of the stand after him as a great honour and we will always appreciate this in the years to come."
Martin Rose, chairman of the Motherwell FC Supporters' Trust: "On behalf of the Motherwell fans I would like to say we are fully behind this decision."
Friday, January 11, 2008
Embroidered tribute to Phil O'Donnell
As a tribute and mark of respect, Motherwell FC can announce the players and officials will adorn strips complete with Phil O'Donnell's embroidered signature on their chest for the rest of the season. "Uncle Phil" sadly passed away two weeks ago and the football department at the club wanted to have something permanent to remember him by.Working closely with Rennie Keith and Dave Taylor from Provan Sports / The 'Well Shop, the new strips will be worn for the first time against Hearts in the Scottish Cup Fourth Round tie at Tynecastle tomorrow.
Kit controller Alan McDonald spoke on behalf of the whole football department saying, "It's just something the players are doing in tribute to Phil. The idea and whole project was co-ordinated by Rennie at Provan Sport who really took the bull by the horns and got it done.
"It will be exclusive to the first-team kits as it's the team's own tribute. It's something small but sometimes it's the small things that make all the difference. It's on the home and away kits as well as the coach's gear and we'll wear it proudly for the rest of the season."
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Match Day Programme in tribute to Phil O'Donnell
Heart of Midlothian Football Club (Hearts) today announced that it is releasing a special edition of this weekend's Matchday Programme as a tribute to Phil O'Donnell.All profits received from the commemorative edition of the Matchday Programme will go to an appropriate fund for Phil O'Donnell's family, once this has been agreed by Motherwell.
Campbell Ogilvie , Hearts' operations director commented, "We wanted to pay a tribute to Phil O'Donnell, and we felt this would be a good way.
"It seemed entirely the right approach to offer all profits in this way and we'll continue to discuss this with Motherwell in the coming weeks before presenting the funds accordingly."
David Tonner, Commercial manager at Motherwell FC added, "Everyone at Motherwell Football Club appreciates this kind gesture, which is indicative of the fantastic support the club have received from the wider football community. We offer our thanks to Hearts for what we anticipate will be a fitting tribute to Phil."
The programme includes tributes from Campbell Ogilvie, Anatoly Korobochka, Christophe Berra, Calum Elliot, who spent time on loan at Motherwell, as well as a number of other first team players.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Motherwell Boss: I've Cried A Lot Over Phil
GRIEF-STRICKEN Motherwell boss Mark McGhee has told of his tears for Phil O'Donnell.
McGhee and his players paid tribute to the 35-year-old outside Fir Park last Sunday - the day after the skipper died of heart failure while being substituted.
McGhee said: "I have been greetin' almost as much as anyone since it happened.
"There have been a lot of tears shed in the McGhee household."
The ex-Aberdeen and Celtic striker revealed why he decided to sub his skipper during the 5-3 win over Dundee United.
He said Phil had given his all and he wanted his captain to get an ovation from the crowd. The midfielder collapsed as he was about to run off the pitch.
McGhee, who only took over at Motherwell in the summer, said he thought Phil's attitude and professionalism would have made him an ideal coach or manager.
He said: "I never had this conversation with Phil, I wish I had now.
"But I always thought he would be someone we would want to keep at the club in some capacity beyond his playing days.
"You can't have enough people like him at a football club.
"A manager has to have a special relationship with his captain and I had that with Phil. Over time, I got to know him and his wife Eileen socially as well. That made the loss even more personal."
McGhee revealed that people connected with Motherwell were texting each other in the early hours of last Sunday as they struggled to cope with the tragedy.
He said: "Having gone to the hospital, back to the ground and then made a couple of visits, it was about 10pm by the time I got home. I couldn't sleep a wink.
"I was just lying there at 3am still getting texts from people at the club who were saying they couldn't sleep, they couldn't believe what had happened.
"There was total disbelief. There still is. "On Sunday I felt I had to pull it together.
"Fans had gathered at Fir Park, scarves, shirts and flowers were already being laid and the media was there.
"I didn't want mixed messages from the club. Phil was a player, my responsibility, and I felt I had to speak for him.
"Since then, Stephen Craigan and one or two others have talked about 'looking to the manager' and I am big enough and ugly enough to handle that."
McGhee and his players paid tribute to the 35-year-old outside Fir Park last Sunday - the day after the skipper died of heart failure while being substituted.
McGhee said: "I have been greetin' almost as much as anyone since it happened.
"There have been a lot of tears shed in the McGhee household."
The ex-Aberdeen and Celtic striker revealed why he decided to sub his skipper during the 5-3 win over Dundee United.
He said Phil had given his all and he wanted his captain to get an ovation from the crowd. The midfielder collapsed as he was about to run off the pitch.
McGhee, who only took over at Motherwell in the summer, said he thought Phil's attitude and professionalism would have made him an ideal coach or manager.
He said: "I never had this conversation with Phil, I wish I had now.
"But I always thought he would be someone we would want to keep at the club in some capacity beyond his playing days.
"You can't have enough people like him at a football club.
"A manager has to have a special relationship with his captain and I had that with Phil. Over time, I got to know him and his wife Eileen socially as well. That made the loss even more personal."
McGhee revealed that people connected with Motherwell were texting each other in the early hours of last Sunday as they struggled to cope with the tragedy.
He said: "Having gone to the hospital, back to the ground and then made a couple of visits, it was about 10pm by the time I got home. I couldn't sleep a wink.
"I was just lying there at 3am still getting texts from people at the club who were saying they couldn't sleep, they couldn't believe what had happened.
"There was total disbelief. There still is. "On Sunday I felt I had to pull it together.
"Fans had gathered at Fir Park, scarves, shirts and flowers were already being laid and the media was there.
"I didn't want mixed messages from the club. Phil was a player, my responsibility, and I felt I had to speak for him.
"Since then, Stephen Craigan and one or two others have talked about 'looking to the manager' and I am big enough and ugly enough to handle that."
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Saturday, January 5, 2008
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