FAMILY, friends and an army of fans were today preparing for the funeral of footballer Phil O'Donnell.

The Motherwell captain, who collapsed and died towards the end of his club's game against Dundee United last weekend, will be buried in Hamilton on Friday.

It's also emerged a post mortem showed the 35-year-old ex-Scotland and Celtic player died of heart failure.

His funeral service will take place at midday at St Mary's Church in Hamilton. A requiem mass will be followed by interment in nearby Bent Cemetery.

Phil's family and his many friends will attend the service and employees of Motherwell FC and representatives of other clubs and organisations will also be welcome.

The mass will be celebrated by Parish Priest Father Henry O'Brien but due to limited space in the church, many fans will not be able to attend.

However, they will be able to show their respect as the cortege leaves the church on its way to the cemetery.

Following the burial, family, friends and other guests will attend a reception at Fir Park.

The father-of-four's widow spoke yesterday for the first time in public since his death.

Eileen O'Donnell, 35, said she had been left "devastated" by Phil's death, adding he would want to be remembered as a family man.

She wept as she looked at the sea of tributes left in his memory - thousands of scarves, shirts, photos and flowers - at Fir Park's South Stand.

Eileen had rushed from her seat in the stand after seeing her husband collapse in the 72nd minute of Saturday's game.

A fan laying a tribute at the stand said: "It's heartbreaking to see such a lovely young mum so distraught after losing her husband in such a tragic way.

"I hope she was able to take some comfort from the way Phil's life had touched so many people.

"He was a club legend and a real gentleman. Every fan's prayers are with his family."

A touching picture of Phil smiling as he enjoyed a sunny day with his family earlier this year was also released.

The loving couple were sitting in their garden surrounded by their children Megan, 12, Christopher, 10, Olivia, six, and four-year-old Luc.

Hundreds of fans have signed books of condolence and more than 1000 people have e-mailed messages of support from across the world.

Motherwell are considering what kind of formal memorial to create. The club are in talks with Celtic about creating a joint tribute.