‘I miss my dad so much’

Scottish football was stunned in December 29, 2007, when the ’ Well captain collapsed in a game against Dundee United at the age of 35 years.

His team were 5-3 up at the time and there were just 12 minutes remaining in the game, with O’Donnell about to be substituted, when he collapsed.

Fans and team-mates then watched in stunned silence as medics and club doctors battled to save his life.

He passed away just a few hours later in Wishaw General Hospital, dying of heart failure.

Although Megan was just 12 years old at the time, she remembers that awful day.

She explained:“It was quite strange that myself and my brothers and sister were all there at the football game that day.

“My mum usually tried to take at least one of us to a game to see dad, but it was very rare that all four of us would be there.

“I guess because I was the eldest of the four, I knew something was really wrong when he collapsed.

“We were quickly taken away out the stadium to stay with a friend, but I began to think something must be really wrong.

“It was just a horrible moment when I found out that my dad had passed away.

“I miss my dad so much, as I really was a bit of daddy’s girl.”

Megan remembers her house being filled with people and flowers straight after the news broke about her dad’s sudden death on the pitch.

Cards were sent to the family from all over the world.

She said:“We had blankets knitted for all four of us from a lady in America.

“Our house was always so busy and I remember mum saying we got a hand-written letter from the Prime Minister at the time, Gordon Brown, and another letter from Alex Salmond.

“It was an amazing show of support and something that our family will never forget and will always be grateful for.

“My mum has been incredible through all of this and so supportive with all of my siblings. We love her so much.”

Phil is survived by his wife Eileen (44) daughters Megan (21), Olivia (16) and sons Christopher (19) and Luc (13).