Footballer and manager; Born February 22, 1969; Died August 31, 2008.
JAMIE Dolan, who has died of a heart attack aged 39 while jogging, was a popular and talented footballer who played in midfield, principally with Motherwell and Dundee United.
From the nearby village of Salsburgh, Dolan signed for the Steelmen from Forgewood Boys Club shortly after his 18th birthday, in 1987. He went on to make 200 appearances in claret and amber, becoming a fans' favourite with his dynamic displays in midfield.
He appeared in the Youth Cup final against Celtic in the 1986/87 season and soon found himself promoted to the senior squad under manager Tommy McLean.
But he missed out on Motherwell's biggest match during his time there, having to watch from the stand their 1991 Scottish Cup win in a legendary high-scoring final against Dundee United.
But while with the club he played alongside such international-class players as Paul Lambert, Davie Cooper and Phil O'Donnell. Although he never wore Scotland's navy blue himself, his energetic, high-octane work in midfield ensured he never seemed out of place in such company.
Dolan's Motherwell career ran until 1997. Then, after a decade with the club, he was transferred by manager Alex McLeish to Dundee United as a substantial makeweight in a deal which took striker Owen Coyle to Fir Park.
After a couple of seasons at Tannadice, he moved on to Dunfermline Athletic, completing a lengthy senior career with spells at Livingston, where he was a member of the squad which won promotion into the SPL in 2001; Forfar Athletic and Partick Thistle. In all, he played some 300 senior matches, scoring a total of 40 goals.
He left the Jags at the end of the 2001-2002 season to play out his active years in the juniors, being one of the first well-known seniors to be recruited by big-spending Bathgate Thistle, before entering management with Broxburn Athletic. He spent four seasons with the club, winning the league championship and Brown Cup, before leaving at the end of last season.
Dolan was still playing occasionally, with the Motherwell team in Masters football and was an energetic member of the club's former players' association.
In fact, he was due to tread again the Fir Park turf this coming Sunday - as he had agreed to play in the testimonial match for former Motherwell midfield partner Dougie Arnott.
His death comes just nine months after the on-field passing of former team-mate Phil O'Donnell, who died aged 35 last December during his team's match against Dundee United.
In 1995, the team's then winger, Davie Cooper, died aged 39 after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
Away from football, Dolan lived in Bathgate, West Lothian, and worked as a van driver. He is survived by his widow, Lorraine, and two sons.
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