Everton Football Club News

• Nickname:Toffees
• Founded:1878
• Manager:David Moyes

• Ground:Goodison Park
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McFadden pays his respects

02 Jan 2008 - 13:49:57

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Everton forward James McFadden paid an emotional tribute to former team-mate Phil O'Donnell after finding the net in the 2-0 victory at Middlesbrough.

O'Donnell died last Saturday after collapsing during Motherwell's clash with Dundee United and that shocking event had a profound effect on his former Steelmen colleague.

McFadden pointed to the black armband he was wearing in O'Donnell's honour when he found the net at the Riverside and he was close to tears at the end of the game.

He told the Daily Post: "I had a feeling I was going to get a goal and that if I did, I was going to dedicate it to him.

"I shed a tear when I came off towards the end. It was such an emotional occasion with a silence that turned into applause before the game.

"It has been so shocking. It is difficult to get your head around the fact that he is dead and you can't imagine what his family are going through.

"He was a great player and one of the nice guys of football. It is a tragedy what has happened to him.

"Every game he played in he would be committed and try his hardest all the time. He was such a nice guy."