The Football World Mourns

[SkyeHibs]

The untimely death of footballer Phil O'Donnell has captured the attention of the football community around the world with obituaries coming in from near and far.

As fans of Hibernian many of us spent yesterday afternoon pre-occupied by the short-comings of our own heroes against rangers earlier in the afternoon.

The Hibees bounce was full of postings lamenting the position we are in and discussing where we go from here.

That football is only a game and not as the late Bill Shankley said (even with tounge firmly in cheek) more important than life and death was sadly brought home to each and everyone one of us as the horrifying news from Fir park began to circulate.

Much has been written and commented on in the media today of a man who was seen as a gentleman who many who know him stating he did not have an enemy in the world. My own recollection from having watched him over many years was that he did conduct himself on the park with great dignity and was a fine ambassador for the game.

Many fellow bouncers will know that I come from a "split" Hibs and Motherwell family. My wife in particular has many happy memories of having seen Phil wearing the claret and amber and well remembers what was perhaps O'Donnell's finest hour in a Motherwell shirt when he scored in the 1991 cup final against Dundee United. He was then a young man of 19 begining to make his way in the game. he flourished as a young player at Motherwell and was capped twice for Scotland in 1994 as his talent became widely recognised. In 1994 Phil was sold to Celtic in what remains today as a record transfer fee for Motherwell of £1.75 million. Injury blighted Phil's career both at Celtic and Sheffield Wednesday and as a result perhaps injury as it has done with many young players deprived us of seeing Phil develop even further.

In the swangsong of his career it appeared that O'Donnell was content playing out his career back at Motherwell where he revelled in his role of captain of a resurgent side.

Football fans everwhere are shocked by his early death and more so the fans of Motherwell. He also leaves behind a wife and a young family, being the father of four children. Our thoughts go out to all of them this morning.

Imagine for those involved with the club as fellow players, management and fans watching the horror unfold in front of you. That is something I suspect that will long-live with those there. The images of O'Donnell lying on the Fir Park turf have been shown in the media this morning. These are moving images but perhaps above all for those that knew him they will cherish the memories of Phil the man and for football fans the memories of what was an exciting talent who excelled for club and for country.

The SPL have done the right thing by postponing next week's game at Easter Road.

RIP Phil O'Donnell.