Motherwell captain dies after collapsing on pitch

**tetsujin1979** · 30/12/2007, 1:25 PM

Remember him from his Celtic playing days, and was genuinely disappointed to see him move to Wesdnesday. Could have gone on to better things, but injuries put paid to that. Seemed to be rebuilding his career at Motherwell, until this tragedy.
Thoughts are with his family, RIP

**Kildare Lad** · 30/12/2007, 9:44 PM

Rest In Peace

**Stuttgart88** · 31/12/2007, 9:40 AM

RIP, very sad.

**Not Brazil** · 31/12/2007, 1:44 PM

Terrible news.

My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and children at this bleak time - awful that they witnessed events unfold at the game on Saturday.

Fitting that Wednesday's Old Firm game has been postposed as a mark of respect.

R.I.P.

**superfrank** · 31/12/2007, 2:54 PM

Terrible stuff. RIP

http://foot.ie/showthread.php?t=69523

**an_ceannaire** · 31/12/2007, 3:40 PM

For those of us with Celtic Sympathies if not actually rabid fans, this is awful. God I will never forget the days when i did actually support them. Jorge Cadete, Big Pierre, Paulo, Rico Annoni Stefane Mahe etc. Phil was a stand out player when fit. The first inter scottish deal over 1million.
Phil you will be missed. Fair well big man. Ar Dheis De go raibh a anam.

**OwlsFan** · 31/12/2007, 3:53 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Remember him from his Celtic playing days, and was genuinely disappointed to see him move to Wesdnesday.

Simon Donnelly came at the same time under a Bosman. They were joining a Wednesday team in major decline and neither made an impact, O'Donnell primarily because of injuries. Donnelly I see is still playing (at Partick Thistle).

**finnpark** · 31/12/2007, 6:38 PM

Very sad indeed.

I think its about time FIFA investigated the causes of such deaths in the last 10 years.

Danish TV made an investigation into very similar deaths in Denmark, Norway, Portugal (Benfica) and a number of other countries. In all cases the players that died had recent injury problems and all were on pain killers. Pain killers should be administrated by doctors but basically they were available like sweets at most clubs. There was one brand in particular that seemed to have been proven to cause heart problems.

Should the Scottish FA investigate this possibility since it happened on their watch and how long before a player in Ireland dies from this fate?

**an_ceannaire** · 01/01/2008, 12:55 AM

Not ashamed to say watching a tribute today on SSN, i cried a tear. Wont pretend i knew him to be a gentleman etc etc but so tragic and a genuinely good bloody footballer
I know i have posted already on this, but so what,
Say hello to Big Jock, Slim Jim, Jinky and many other Phil
May god be with you.

**ramsfan** · 01/01/2008, 11:29 AM

absolute shame, knew he was a great player but from all news reports seemed like a geniuine down to earth guy. definitely needs to be looked into as the number of deaths in last few years is crazy, could be painkillers as mentioned could allso be the levels guys are taking their bodies to fitness wise needs tobe looked at asap

RIP Phil and may you slot in nicely in the centre of midfield for heaven celtic

**drinkfeckarse** · 02/01/2008, 10:59 AM

Reports today suggest that it was massive heart failure. Such a terrible shame and seems to have been a genuine guy with no airs or graces who loved his family and made time for anyone.

As mentioned I remember him as a great player for Celtic, I used to love his dynamic box to box runs and but for injuries, he probably would have gone on to be one of the best in Britain IMO.

R.I.P.

**passinginterest** · 02/01/2008, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by finnpark

Very sad indeed.

I think its about time FIFA investigated the causes of such deaths in the last 10 years.

Danish TV made an investigation into very similar deaths in Denmark, Norway, Portugal (Benfica) and a number of other countries. In all cases the players that died had recent injury problems and all were on pain killers. Pain killers should be administrated by doctors but basically they were available like sweets at most clubs. There was one brand in particular that seemed to have been proven to cause heart problems.

I heard this recently too. I believe it was Ibuprofen that was linked to the deaths. I know I'll be more careful about taking pain killers before playing a game anyway.

Found this news story with a quick google search:

But it also linked ibuprofen — brand names include Advil and Motrin — to a 24 percent higher risk of heart attack compared with people who had not taken any anti-inflammatory in the last three years.

Full story here.

Terrible tragedy. RIP.