Fans join stars to mourn O'Donnell

HAMILTON, Scotland -- Hundreds of fans have joined stars from the football world to say farewell to tragic Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell.

The father-of-four, who died after collapsing during a match, was remembered as a "family man" and a "great human being" at the funeral in his hometown of Hamilton.

More than 500 mourners poured into St Mary's Church to say farewell to the 35-year-old. Hundreds more fans lined the streets outside in tribute to the former Scotland, Celtic and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder.

A guard of honor was formed by the Motherwell youth team for the arrival at the church of the player's widow, Eileen, and their four children, who each carried a single rose.

O'Donnell, 35, collapsed towards the end of his club's 5-3 victory over Dundee United at Fir Park on Saturday. A post-mortem examination later revealed he had suffered heart failure.

His Motherwell team-mates, led by manager Mark McGhee and the entire Dundee United squad, attended the funeral.

Mourners began arriving a full two hours early for the Requiem Mass, which started at midday. Celtic captain Stephen McManus was among the early arrivals and was later joined by the rest of the Celtic team, along with manager Gordon Strachan and club chairman John Reid, the former British Home Secretary.

Rangers captain Barry Ferguson and the club's assistant manager, Ally McCoist, were also present, along with senior players David Weir and Lee McCulloch.

Everton's James McFadden, a former Motherwell player who dedicated his New Year's Day goal to O'Donnell, was also there.

The scores of mourners from the world of football also included ex-Scotland captain Gary McAllister and former Scotland manager Craig Brown. Former England international Terry Butcher, who signed O'Donnell when he was manager of Motherwell, was also present.

O'Donnell's former Motherwell team-mate Chris McCart read a eulogy. He said: "Phil O'Donnell, family man, wonderful footballer, inspirational captain, role model and a great human being.

"His passing has left a great void in all our lives. His wife and four kids meant more to Phil than anything he achieved in his football career. His family was, quite simply, his world."

After the Mass, O'Donnell's coffin was carried from the church to the waiting hearse. His former Celtic and Sheffield Wednesday team-mate Simon Donnelly was among the pallbearers. As the cortege headed off to Bent Cemetery for the burial, the crowd outside broke into spontaneous applause. E-mail to a friend