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| Jamie Dolan |
 James Dolan was born on Saturday, 22nd February, 1969, in Salsburgh, North Lanarkshire. The 5' 8 (10st 8lbs) midfielder signed for John Lambie's Thistle in June, 2001, having most recently been with Livingston. Aged 32, he made his debut appearance on Saturday, 4th August, 2001, in a 3-3 draw at home to St Mirren in the SFL First Division. Jamie scored his first goal for Thistle on Saturday, 8th September, 2001, in a 2-1 win at home to Ayr United in the SFL First Division. He scored his second and final goal for the club on Saturday, 29th September, 2001, in a 1-1 draw at home to Airdrieonians in the SFL First Division. He played his last game for Thistle on Saturday, 27th April, 2002, in a 3-0 defeat away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the SFL First Division, having appeared as a Jag on 35 occasions. His club-list included Motherwell, Dundee United, Dunfermline Athletic, Livingston, Forfar Athletic, Partick Thistle, Broxburn Athletic and Bathgate Thistle. Jamie died on Sunday, 31st August, 2008, in Bathgate, West Lothian, aged 39. |
 Jamie started his career at Motherwell in the late mid eighties after being signed from Forgewood Boys Club. He appeared in the Youth Cup Final at under-18s level against Celtic in the 1986–87 season – hitting the bar with a header at 0–0 in a game 'Well went on to lose 2–1. However, the youth ranks couldn't contain the tenacious and brave midfield dynamo and he soon found himself promoted to the senior squad under Tommy McLean. He was a mainstay in the heart of the Motherwell midfield in the early to mid-nineties and formed part of a famous trio containing Paul Lambert and Billy Davies in 'Well's fantastic team of 1994–1996. In one game on 7 December 1996, having started in his usual midfield role, he even played in goal for the last 30 minutes against Celtic when Motherwell goalkeeper Scott Howie was taken off injured. Although Celtic scored one goal past Dolan – more the result of a short passback than a goalkeeping error – Motherwell's Ian Ross scored in the last minute of the game to secure a heroic 2–1 victory. In January 1997, Motherwell were desperate for a striker to score goals and keep them in the league. Alex McLeish turned to Owen Coyle of Dundee United but the only way United would let the striker go was if Dolan headed to Tannadice as part of a swap-deal. The move was agreed, and after more than two hundred games in claret and amber, Jamie headed for the east coast. After two seasons in tangerine, Dolan moved south to Fife to play for Dunfermline Athletic where he stayed for a year. A year at Livingston followed, which included a loan deal with Forfar Athletic. Newly promoted Partick Thistle added Jamie to their squad for the 2001-02 campaign, the shrewd John Lambie concocting a potent blend of youth and experience in his quest to continue momentum. The manager was full of praise for him as the season got underway and two memorable goals in September endeared him to the fans. Jamie's appearances tailed off in the latter half of the campaign, but the 32-year-old still managed to rack up 35 competitive appearances as the Jags clinched the title and returned to the Premier League. Jamie was retained for the top-flight campaign of 2002-03, but an injury sidelined him at the start of the season and he was unable to break into the team, retiring from the senior game early in 2003. After leaving Firhill, Jamie served as player-manager of Scottish Junior Football Eastern Region South Division side Broxburn Athletic, and also played for Bathgate Thistle in the Scottish Junior Football East Super League. He also retained strong links with Motherwell Football Club, playing an active role in the former players club, and assisting the club with charity and sponsors events. Jamie played for the Motherwell Masters team and was a pivotal member of the squad that took the 2007 title, scoring the last goal in the final against Celtic. Away from the football, Jamie worked as a driver, and had qualified to HGV standard by 2007. He died from a heart attack on 31 August 2008, whilst out jogging near his home in Bathgate, West Lothian. A post mortem revealed he suffered from cardiac ischaemia, a hereditary condition from which his father had also died, aged 44. He had been due to play for a Motherwell Select team on 11 September 2008, in a testimonial match for former team-mate Dougie Arnott. His sudden death came just eight months after that of his former Motherwell teammate Phil O'Donnell, who died from a similar condition shortly after collapsing during a Scottish Premier League game for Motherwell. Jamie was buried at a cemetery near Shotts golf club where he played. He was survived by his widow, Lorraine, and two sons. |
| (WIK/WS) |
