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For the second successive season, Motherwell FC are delighted to announce another healthy increase in Season Ticket numbers.

The club recorded a fantastic 13% growth in 2010-2011 and, once again, figures this year (2011-12) show another 10% like-for-like increase on the previous season.

The figures justify some of the fantastic initiatives centred around families and youngsters with the Cooper Stand offer and the WELLevate deal in the East and O’Donnell Stands proving extremely popular.

[pullquote]It’s not rocket science; we know we have to get more families and youngsters through the gate to ensure the long term stability and growth of our football club.[/pullquote]

These long-term polices have seen the club increase season ticket holders from 2650 in 2009-10 to 3,500 this year although it has come with a £10,000 drop in revenue as fans take up the free kids offer.

Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said, “Everyone at the club is absolutely delighted with these results and it is further evidence that our long-term family and community commitment policy is working.

“We’ve had a great few years on the park but we’ve also been working extremely hard off it to revaluate our position and start re-building the club from the bottom up.

“It’s not rocket science; we know we have to get more families and youngsters through the gate to ensure the long term stability and growth of our football club. The hard work is far from finished though – we will keep working as hard as we can to improve and invest in families, community and young people.”

Craig Levein has left the door open for Motherwell’s rising star Jamie Murphy after the youngster missed out on the recently announced Scotland squad.

Murphy, in sensational form of late, has been courting interest from Premiership clubs south of the border but hasn’t yet received full international recognition and missed out on the pool for the match against Denmark next week.

[pullquote]I can assure people who are out there thinking that players only get picked from bigger clubs, that isn’t the case. Everyone is monitored.[/pullquote]

However, the Scotland boss is adamant that the 21-year old is on the radar and could come into contention in the near future.

“I went to watch him on Saturday. He’s somebody that’s very much on the radar,” Levein admitted.

“But if you have a look at that group of players in the squad, it’s extremely difficult for people to break into. We have some extremely good players.

“People have their own feelings about who they believe should be in the squad. I have to go with what I see and hear and watching players who I believe have the consistency and ability.

“We spoke about Lee Wallace (being on the fringes) and Jamie falls into that same watch list and will be monitored very closely.

“And I can assure people who are out there thinking that players only get picked from bigger clubs, that isn’t the case. Everyone is monitored. We have a lot of people out watching matches all the time, I’m constantly getting feedback.

“For someone to get in the squad is extremely difficult – they have to be playing well, playing regularly with their club and impressing.”

Motherwell have been drawn away to Clyde in the Scottish Communities League Cup 2nd Round.

The draw took place today in Dingwall with the matches scheduled to take place on either Tuesday 23rd or Wednesday 24th August, 2011,

The Draw is as follows:-

• Hibernian v Berwick Rangers
• East Fife v Dunfermline Athletic
• St. Johnstone v Livingston
• Airdrie United v Raith Rovers
• Falkirk v Stenhousemuir
• Ayr United v Inverness Cal. Th.
• Queen of the South v Forfar Athletic
• Morton v St. Mirren
• Hamilton Academical v Ross County
• Clyde v Motherwell
• Aberdeen v Dundee

The Supporters Advisory Committee have been busy throughout the close season and are keen to give an update on a number of initiatives.

A new carpool system has been launched and although it is in its infancy, they plan to offer supporters the opportunity to combine their resources to help get them get along to games. If you live outside a 15-mile radius from Fir Park or in a remote location you are invited to post your details via carpool@motherwellfc.co.uk.

For more information – Click Here

The members of the Supporters Advisory Committee benefit from sitting just below the club board and also use the same facilities as frequently as the core support.

They are therefore in a unique position to act as advocates on behalf our fellow fans to champion and achieve satisfactory answers or solutions to issues raised by our peers.

If you have a particular issue relating to the stadium or facilities please read through the FAQ’s first to see if it has already been covered, if not email us on supporters.committee@motherwellfc.co.uk.

To check out the current FAQ and complaints list – Click Here

Finally, following the launch of the group in early 2011, the committee launched a survey designed to gather your opinions.

They wanted to know your big picture gripes and ideas, views on reconstruction, safe standing, television and the like.

In response the club promised to be transparent on their position and policies in whatever we identify and where possible and appropriate, use their influence to push forward change.

To read the results of the survey on PDF format – Click Here

Referee for this Sunday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Hearts at Fir Park will be Stevie O’Reilly.

O’Reilly will be a familiar face to Motherwell fans having overseen five games last term.

After previously handling the 1-1 draw with Aberdeen at Fir Park back last September, the 1-2 home defeat by Hearts in December, the New Years Day 0-0 draw with Hamilton at New Douglas Park and the 1-0 home defeat by Kilmarnock in early February, his last Motherwell appointment came in early April as the Steelmen ran out 2-1 winners over Dundee United at Fir Park.

He also had the honour of being the fourth official at the Scottish Cup Final last May when McCall’s men took on Celtic.

It was a busy old season for the 44-year-old, who was promoted to the Category 1 list some five years ago. He has already seen SPL action this term when he was the man in the middle for Dumfermline’s return to the top league – a 0-0 draw with St Mirren at East End Park.

O’Reilly’s overall record in charge of the ‘Well is a bit of a mixed bag. Of the seven games has officiated, Motherwell have won two, drawn one and lost four.

Ten goals have been scored and ten conceded. Fourteen players have been cautioned in those six games; four were wearing Claret and Amber with just one sending off, Steve Jennings in the game against today’s opponents back in December of last year.

Stevie will be ably assisted by Derek Rose and Charlie Smith with Euan Anderson on fourth official duties.

Bathgate and Motherwell U19s drew a blank as the two teams came together for the second annual Paul McGrillen Memorial Cup.

Both sides traded half-chances throughout the ninety minutes but neither goalkeeper was really tested as the game finished all square.

Motherwell’s best efforts came through Lee Erwin, who pulled an early first-half shot wide of the target and Keiran McGachie; the big striker curling a shot from the edge of the area that was gobbled up by the home goalkeeper.

At the other end, Willie Muir had to look smart to turn away a couple of routine efforts from the plucky hosts but, in truth, the youngster never really looked like conceding.

The draw was a fair reflection of the game as Gordon Young’s men continue their preparation for the start of the SPL U19s season, which kicks-off in just under two weeks time.

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Stuart McCall was proud of his battling Motherwell side who battled through the heat to earn a well-deserved draw at Rugby Park.

Both teams shared periods of possession and although Kilmarnock created more chances, ‘Well could arguably claim the better of the opportunities with Nicky Law, Steve Jennings and Bob McHugh all going close.

McCall was delighted with his men and felt a share of the spoils was just about the correct score.

He said: “I thought they started better and on the front foot but once we got the ball down we started to make some good opportunities, but we just didn’t have that final pass or that finish.

“Cammy Bell did pull off a couple of great saves, one from Bob McHugh and the other from Jennings. We were sitting right behind that one and we thought it was going in and he just got a finger on it. Nicky Law had also been clean through but the boy came from nowhere and got a great tackle in.

“We had opportunities; we perhaps could have done better in the first half. I thought we got into good areas of the park without the finish. Second half it was more even, but the last fifteen minutes the players suffered in the heat.

Motherwell had an unusually high amount of corners, fourteen in total, but failed to convert them into goals.

McCall explained the difficulty ‘Well faced in trying to break the home defence and reckons that although both teams are renowned for trying to play good football, there are differences in how the sides set-up.

“We didn’t really want to put the ball into the box as they had the height advantage. Maybe if we had big Higdon there it might have made a difference,” McCall explained.

“We had no tall full backs and no big target man, we only had two big guys, Steven Craigan and Shaun Hutchinson, and we felt defensively we could be under the cosh. But if you look at the game as a whole, Darren only had a couple of saves from long range which were comfortable enough, while Bell had a couple of fantastic saves when we hit them on the break.

“We like to hit teams on the break with a bit of pace and I think Kilmarnock play a lot of passes and it would have been hard on either team if they had lost.

“The heat was a big telling factor and you need to work hard against Kilmarnock as they keep the ball so well. All in all, I am pleased with the result.”

Pictures from the 0-0 draw with Kilmarnock in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Rugby Park.

These action shots and more are available to buy online at www.motherwellpics.com.

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[tab:Match report]

Kris Jack at Rugby Park

Motherwell stay top of the league after a battling 0-0 draw away to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park this afternoon.

A share of the spoils was perhaps the correct result, as an end to end game failed to muster up a goal for either team. The glorious sunshine from last week’s win over Inverness followed the ‘Well to Ayrshire but the slick passing and overlapping play from seven days previous was stifled by the heat and Kilmarnock’s stubborn backline.

The loss of Michael Higdon to a thigh injury, meant only a fourth league start for Bob McHugh, in an otherwise unchanged team from the league opener.

Killie kicked off towards the Claret and Amber travelling support and had a penalty shout turned down early on.  Dayton’s jink in to the box was ended abruptly as he ran in to Lasley. No penalty was referee  Salmond’s decision much to the chagrin of the home support but he probably got it correct.

Kilmarnock started the game the stronger, with Dayton their brightest  player in the first half. After being brought down on the edge of the box by Hammell, his powerful free kick was deflected over Randolph’s bar for a corner. Harkins then pulled a shot wide from distance as the home side threatened to take full control.

Motherwell hauled themselves back in to the game and applied a decent amount of pressure on the home side. Just like last week, Law was the one making most inroads, linking up well in attack with Hammell and Murphy. This combo of players almost resulted in the opening goal, as Hammell fed Law, whose cross was a stretch too far for Murphy in the middle.

A sloppy pass from McKeown allowed McHugh a run at goal, but his effort was put out for a corner. Hammell swung in four corners back to back, the final one headed over by Shaun Hutchinson. The big defenders Killie namesake, Ben, then set up McKeown in the box, but was blocked out by ‘Well’s Hutchinson. Indeed the big number 15 won the battle of the Hutchinson’s , giving the former Celtic striker little change throughout the ninety minutes

Motherwell continued to threaten and Law once again looked lively as he hit the byline, but his cross was softly volleyed in to the arms of Bell in the Killie goal; the Killie stopper would later make two stunning stops to keep his team in it.

His opposite number Randolph was next in line to be tested, as Dayton ran 50 yards unchallenged, only to see his low shot palmed to safety by the Republic of Ireland keeper. Dayton then blazed over the bar when a Ben Hutchinson knockdown landed at his feet. However, his volley was wild and landed amongst the travelling fans.

McHugh began to find himself in the game, and after winning a high ball, he was put through on Bell by Murphy. His shot would have taken the net off, had Bell not stretched a fantastic hand towards it.

The Scotland goalie made an even better save at the beginning of the second half.

A Hateley throw in found Jennings, who travelled to the edge of the box, before unleashing an arrowed drive to the top left corner. Bell’s diving save denied the game a belter of a goal, worthy of winning the match. Conversely, an unusually poor kick out from Randolph left Kelly with an open net, but his effort form 30 yards sailed over.

Soon after, the jinky Law should have wrapped the game up. A long ball up the left from Hammell sent him clear through on Bell. With McHugh square, the midfielder dinked Bell only to be denied by a great recovering tackle from Kroca. This was to be the chance of the match, as the game descended in to a midfield battle with Motherwell not creating in roads and Kilmarnock restricted to long range efforts.

Silva and Heffernan came on for Killie, with Silva providing some glimpses of flair, bringing out some routine saves from Randolph. One thunderbolt from the sub was heroically blocked by Hutchinson, taking a hefty stoat in the face for his troubles.

As the clocked ticked towards the finish, McHugh was unlucky to be called for offside from Murphy’s intelligent pass and Humphrey shot wide after cutting in from the right as the heat began to take its toll on both sides.

Silva had another effort after a bout of pinball outside the box, which was again comfortably held by Randolph. Some half chances came for both teams as the game petered out, but neither side could find a winner.

Top of the SPL for the second week in a row, despite the draw, it’s Motherwell’s league to throw away!

[tab:As it happened]

Graham Barnstaple at Rugby Park

Full time: 0-0 decent result, four points from first two games seems okay to me.

90mins – Into three minutes of stoppage time

79mins – SIlva shot saved low at front post by Randolph

74mins – Final Killie change – Dean Shiels on for Liam Kelly

71mins – Hutchinson getting treatment for a head knock (or is it his face??) after blocking a shot at close range.

66mins – Bell forced to turn a Hateley free over for a corner.

65mins – Law sent clear by Hammell, as he is about to shoot the ball is taken off his toe by Kroca, McHugh was also in middle for a tap in

61mins – Crowd this afternoon is 4867

60mins – Only one winner of the Hutchinson v Hutchinson battle this afternoon….

59mins – Two changes for Killie on come Silva and Heffernan and off go Harkins and Hutchinson

47mins – Poor clearance from Randolph lands at feet of Kelly but he sends ball high over the open goal from about thirty yards out.

46mins – Swerving Jennings shot looks to be heading to the top corner until Bell somehow gets a fingertip to deflect wide.

Half Time – Back refreshed in Press Box after a Killie Pie – they look after you here….

Half time – 0-0, decent half overall after a poor opening 10 minutes for Well.

44mins – Murphy and McHugh combine with the latter’s effort turned over by Bell in the Killie goal.

40mins -Hutchinson winning the battle against Hutchinson!! – You decide!!

32mins – Game has been more even since the opening 10 minutes, as we close to 10 minutes to half time. Killie fans around us getting a bit frustrated.

29mins – Killie come close, long run from Dayton ends with an 18 yard shot saved well by Randolph low to his left.

15mins – Liam Kelly shot palmed clear by Randolph, stinging shot well saved.

14mins – Fourth Hammell corner picks out Hutchinson who heads just over, got the Well fans at the other end excited for some reason!!

10mins – Law cross into corridor of uncertainty is just missed by Murphy and cleared for a corner.

10mins – First ten minutes has been all Killie, with a half shout for a penalty and a Dayton free deflected over to show for their efforts.

1min – Game underway with Killie kicking off in bright sunshine in front of a noisy travelling support.

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“I think for a 0-0 it was a really entertaining game. You always want to win the game, but it was a well-earned point.

“It was a great effort from both sides and I think a draw was a fair result. I think overall we were pleased with the way we played.

“It was a roasting day, great summer football for the fans, but I felt for the players in the last 10 minutes.”

Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels:

“It was a fantastic performance from my players and Motherwell’s players.The priority is to win, but what a fantastic game it was.

“I’ve seen five games this season, and they’ve all been highly entertaining. Teams are playing with guile and craft and intelligence. You don’t get that in England.

“When they talk about SPL reconstruction: why would you want to reconstruct that?”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Motherwell winger Chris Humphrey hopes ‘Well can build on last Saturday’s success against Inverness but admits they face a tough test against a good Killie side.

Stuart McCall’s men opened the season in the best possible fashion, roaring to a 3-0 win in the Fir Park sunshine.

The Claret and Amber men now travel down the A77 to Rugby Park and the former West Bromwich Albion and Shrewsbury Town speed merchant insists that the standard has been set for the season ahead.

[pullquote]We have set high targets this season and we expect a lot from ourselves. Hopefully we get what we deserve.[/pullquote]

“For being the first game of the season, I thought we played very well last Saturday; particularly the first half where we passed it and played some nice football.

“Things look good at the moment but the challenge for us is to keep up that standard throughout the season.

“You could see from the way we were playing in pre-season that we meant business. The new lads, Nicky Law and Michael Higdon, are top class players and have added an extra dimension to our side.

“Last Saturday against Inverness is the level we want to try and operate at in every game. That sort of performance is what the gaffer will now expect from us each and every week as we have demonstrated that we can do it. Anything less isn’t good enough. We have set high targets this season and we expect a lot from ourselves. Hopefully we get what we deserve.

“As for the game, it will be a good encounter, that’s for sure. You tend to find that most games between Kilmarnock and Motherwell provide entertaining football as they, like us, try to keep the ball and pass it about. They have some good players and a big pitch so I reckon it’ll be one that both sets of fans can enjoy.

“They have lost one or two players who were massive for them last season but they have still got quality in their side. They look strong in the middle of the park and have always had good, attacking wingbacks so we will have to be at our best to beat them.

“You read about them in the papers not having a settled team but I don’t expect that will make things any easier for us. Teams can click at any time and the players Kenny Shiels has brought in are of a quality that will cause problems regardless if their team is settled or not.”

Both Kilmarnock and Motherwell have a reputation of being teams who favour the more attractive possession and passing game.

Asked if he thought Motherwell would fight the Killie fire with fire, Humphrey is convinced the Steelmen have enough in their ranks to match most in the SPL.

“We demonstrated our ability to play last week,” said the Jamaican. “We kept the ball and were very direct going forward.”

“If we can keep that up then I don’t see how we can’t cause teams problems. But, like I say, they keep the ball very well too so we will need to be patient and not get frustrated with ourselves and utilise any attacks we have to the maximum effect.

“Our biggest problem will be with injuries as our squad is very thin. If any of our top guys are ruled out then it might be difficult for us but that’s the same everywhere I suppose.  But if we can keep our squad fit then I don’t see why we can’t achieve something this year.”