‘Uncle Phil’ was a popular choice with fans

Phil O’donnell was a captain, a hero, a legend, and is a worthy inductee into Motherwell FC’S Hall of Fame, writes Graham Barnstaple.

On Saturday, November 23, Motherwell FC held their first ever Hall of Fame event at the Bothwell Bridge Hotel.

Five past heroes were inducted into the Hall of Fame, four who were known before the night, with George Stevenson, Willie Pettigrew, Ally Maxwell and James Mcfadden being announced before the event. The fifth was to be announced on the night, following a vote by the Motherwell fans.

There was no surprise when the fans selected Phil O’donnell as the fifth person to be honoured on the night.

The event was hosted by Tam Cowan and he introduced the packed house to a night of outstanding nostalgia, certainly for those of a certain age like myself, and even for the younger members of the audience who were given an insight to heroes from before they were born.

Each player was introduced by a video clip of them playing and for those of my generation it was great to see Willie Pettigrew in action on the heavy pitches of the 1970s in the original diagonal sash strip.

There was also rare footage of the successful teams of the 1930s (league winners) and the 1950s (Scottish League Cup and Scottish Cup winners) as George Stevenson’s family accepted his honour.

It was also an emotional night with Ally Maxwell, 1991 cup winning goalie, dedicating his honour to his late father.

He was followed by Motherwell and Scottish football icon James Mcfadden, who was humbled to be honoured by the club that gave him his chance in the game and kick-started his career.

There was barely a dry eye in the house when Phil O’donnell was announced as the winner of the award voted by the fans.

He was represented by two of his children, who were given a standing ovation as they accepted his award.

Memories of the man who became known as‘uncle Phil’in his second spell at the club, from his breakthrough season which saw him play a major role in the 1991 cup run, culminating with a goal in the final against Dundee United.

On a personal level, my mind returned to his return to Fir Park in January 2004.

At the time I was updating the Motherwell FC website and interviewed manager Terry Butcher every week.

In one of these chats Butcher let me know O’donnell had started to train at Fir Park and he was thinking of signing him if he proved his fitness.

I was excited to hear this and told him he should get him signed up right away! Thankfully he eventually took my advice.

My other abiding memory of O’donnell was following his first goal on his return, against Hibs in a 2-1 defeat at Fir Park in August 2004. His goal was a familiar left foot strike from inside the box, but the reception was probably greater than the one he received in the 1991 final as Fir Park rose to salute a true hero on his return to his rightful home.

There is no doubt Phil was a popular choice as the fifth inductee into the Motherwell Hall of Fame as a man who won the respect of the Motherwell fans, not only as a player but also as a person who was the perfect role model for players and everyone he met.