Phil’s death left a mark on me. It’s made me realise family is the most important thing in my life Football coach pays tribute to the star player who inspired him on and off pitch
Football pundit Stephen Craigan has revealed how the death of teammate Phil O’Donnell spurred him into spending more time with his family.
The BT Sports analyst was the last person to speak to the Fir Park captain before he collapsed a few feet away from him during a match a decade ago.
Friday was the 10th anniversary of Motherwell legend Phil’s death.
And Craigan said the shock broughtht him closer to his loved ones.
The 41-year-old, who now coaches at the club, has thought about Phil – whoo died from heart failure – every day sincee he died on December 29, 2007.
Married dad Craigan said: “Everyonee at the club was aware of what Phil hadd achieved as a player and how hard hee worked in his career.
“But he also enjoyed his family life.e. Looking back, that was the mark Phil’s’s death left on me and some of the olderer players in the squad.
“What happened brought a lot of things into perspective. Yes, enjoy yourur employment but spend time with yourur family and have fun with them.”
Phil – part of the Motherwell team whoo won the 1991 Scottish Cup – collapsed as he was about to be substituted during Motherwell’s 5-3 win against Dundee United at Fir Park.
His wife Eileen and their four children were watching from the main stand.
Craigan recalled how Phil told him he felt ill several seconds before he fell to the ground as he was being subbed. Panic then swept through the team. The former Northern Ireland international said: “I’ll never forget it and I can’t imaginimagine what his family have gone throughthrough. “I rememberremembe the substitution being made and saysaying, ‘ Phil, your number’s gone up.’ “He had a hollowho look on his face and I asked if he was okay. “He saidsaid, ‘No, I’m not feeling very well,’ and he fell. “I puput my hand in his mouth becausbecause I thought maybe he had swalloswallowed his tongue. “He bit my fingers and that’s when the panic kicked in among the pplayers close by. “I jjust wanted someone who coucould help on the pitch as quicquickly as possible. “TThe rest of the game was played in a sombre mood and we just wanted it to end. “We sat in the dressing room in ouour kit for almost an hour trying to get some feedback.” CraCraigan has carved out a careecareer as a respected pundit since retiring and analyses top-fligflight matches with ex-Celtic star ChrisCh Sutton for BT Sports. He revrevealed Well manager Mark McGhee told ththe players that Phil would have wanted them totoddig deep and hit their targetstarg in the aftermath of hhis death. The former defender added: “The team were ready to write off the season and finish it there and then.
“But Mark said it’s not what Phil would’ve wanted and he was right.
“We finished third, which was our target, but it was a relief when the season finished so we could grieve and sit down and reflect.
“That’s something the squad couldn’t really do at the time because we had a job to do.”
Craigan is reminded of Phil every day when he turns up at Fir Park in his role as the under-20s coach.
He said memories come flooding back this time each year.
On Friday, Craigan, who also captained the Lanarkshire club, said he took a quiet moment to himself to remember his teammate.
Backroom staf f at the club who knew the star then shared positive memories of Phil, who had a stand named in his honour.
He added: “When the end of December comes around, Phi l is vivid in my memory because what happened jumps back in.
“It doesn’t feel like 10 years ago until I see his kids and how they’ve grown.
“But I think of Phil every day and I see his picture when I turn up for work at Fir Park.
“He was a friend and he always helped people out.
“People had respect for him for what he achieved as a footballer but also for what he was like as a human being.”
I’ll never forget it.. I can’t imagine what his family fam have hav ave gone gon ne through thr rough