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Referee for this Saturday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park will be Alan Muir.

It will be Muir’s third Motherwell match of the campaign after previously taking charge of Celtic’s 4-0 win in early September and the 1-0 win over Aberdeen, Bob McHugh scoring the winning goal, some fourteen days later.

He managed four matches last season too, having overseen the 1-1 draw with St Mirren in Paisley last November, January’s 2-0 home win over Hibs, February’s 6-0 capitulation at Ibrox and at Celtic Park as an unfamiliar side crashed to a 4-0 defeat with Stuart McCall resting players ahead of the Scottish Cup Final.

He’ll be a familiar face to Motherwell fans having handled three games the season before last as well.

A 4-0 defeat by Celtic in Glasgow eighteen months ago was instantly forgettable. He also took charge of the 3-2 extra-time with over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Co-operative Insurance Cup Fourth Round and the lively 2-2 draw against Dundee United back in late November 2009.

In all those games he has produced 37 yellow cards, 18 of which were shown to a player in claret and amber, and two red cards, the first given to former defender Paul Quinn for a professional foul on David Fernandez in a 1-0 defeat to Killie and the most recent to Michael Higdon, then an opposition player, in that game with St Mirren last November.

The 36-year-old has taken charge of eight SPL games in this campaign, including Kilmarnock’s 1-1 draw with Dundee Utd, Rangers’ 2-0 win at McDiarmid Park and, most recently, Kilmarnock’s 1-0 win over both Hearts at Tynecastle and Rangers at Rugby Park.

Alan will be ably assisted on the day by Alan Mulvanny and Graham McNeillie, with Craig Charleston on fourth official duties. Referee observer is George Smith and the SPL delegate is Tommy McLean.

The club can confirm ticketing arrangements for both home and away matches over the Christmas and New Year period.

Fans should note that tickets purchased prior to the match at Tynecastle on 24th December (available now from the Fir Park Ticket Office) will be subject to a £3 discount.

The other significant point of note is that Rangers FC will no longer provide car parking facilities for away supporters visiting Ibrox and have asked the club to pass on this information prior to the match on January 2nd 2012.

>> CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE FORTHCOMING TICKETING INFORMATION

‘Well boss Stuart McCall was left frustrated by the half-time abandonment of tonight’s game but insisted it was the correct call.

The former Scotland International was forced to rip into his charges after a disappointing opening 45 minutes. Gary O’Connor had given the visitors at a deserved lead although ‘Well did finish the half much the stronger side.

McCall was ready to send his team out with fire in their bellies but was denied by the abandonment following an electrical fire in the South Stand.

He told MFC TV: “We thought we were going straight back out, the boys had had such a bollocking at half time, we were going out ten minutes in to the half time break.

“We’d been told they were just going to switch something off and we’d be back out in five or ten minutes late. The boys were desperate to get back out there and they are a little bit disappointed, but it could have been worse, we could have been winning 1-0.

“I feel bad for Hibs in a situation like that but 1 million per cent, safety comes first. Having been involved in the Bradford fire and when they start talking about wires burning and if they take something down then it can flare up.

“It’s a nightmare obviously, but there’s not a lot that I can say about electricity and what not, but we’re disappointed.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV-

Chief Inspector Brian Connel told MFC TV that he was left with no option but to abandon tonight’s match with Hibs amidst safety concerns.

An electrical fire broke out in the South Stand as the first half drew to a close and although quickly isolated by the Fire Service, guarantees surrounding the immediate safety were not forthcoming.

With safety the primary concern for everyone at Fir Park, the match had to be brought to an end with just 45mins gone.

Chief Inspector Connell said, “Shortly before the half-time interval, we picked up on the CCTV cameras what appeared to be smoke coming from the south east corner of the South Stand. In addition to the smoke, the persons who attended the scene confirmed there was a smell of burning.

“I went down to inspect the scene and it was then we called the Fire and Rescue services. When they arrived and identified the seat of the fire; it had been an electrical fire emanating from the lighting column linked to the floodlight.

“We initially managed to isolate the fire and were in the process of cutting away the damaged capacitors when it once again started to spark. Unfortunately, at that point, there could be no assurances that there wasn’t further danger of the fire reoccurring.

“By then, we had already delayed the re-starting of the match by seven minutes. At that point, it wasn’t safe to continue with the match and I gave the order to abandon the match.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV-

Tonight’s match with Hibernian was abandoned after an electrical fire linked to the floodlights made it unsafe to continue the match.

Chief Inspector Brian Connel of Strathclyde Police said, “Shortly before the half-time interval, we picked up on the CCTV cameras what appeared to be smoke coming from the south east corner of the South Stand. In addition to the smoke, the persons who attended the scene confirmed there was a smell of burning.

“I went down to inspect the scene and it was then we called the Fire and Rescue services. When they arrived and identified the seat of the fire; it had been an electrical fire emanating from the lighting column linked to the floodlight.

“We initially managed to isolate the fire and were in the process of cutting away the damaged capacitors when it once again started to spark. Unfortunately, at that point, there could be no assurances that there wasn’t further danger of the fire reoccurring.

“By then, we had already delayed the re-starting of the match by seven minutes. At that point, it wasn’t safe to continue with the match and I gave the order to abandon the match.”

Motherwell Chief Executive Leeann Dempster added, “It was an unfortunate turn of events, however, the safety of everyone inside Fir Park is paramount.

“That made the decision to abandon the game an easy one and I must thank everyone involved for their swift action which resulted in everyone within the stadium being evacuated safely.”

It’s time to decide who you think deserves to win the Clydesdale Bank SPL Manager, Player & Young Player of the Month for November.

Has someone in our team shown some skill worthy of reward? Or has our manager suitably impressed you with our team’s performances over the month? 

Fans can vote by visiting the Clydesdale Bank Premier League website www.cbfootball.co.uk and the top three fans nominations will be put forward to the shortlist for the panel of Scottish football experts to choose the winners.

Voting is open now and closes at 12noon on Monday 5th December 2011.

Log onto www.cbfootball.co.uk to cast your vote and play Score Selector. You can also win match tickets for our upcoming fixtures, take part in the weekly quiz and keep up to date with all Clydesdale Bank’s football activities as well as having the chance to win the SPL trophy for the day.

Chief Executive Leeann Dempster has told MFC TV she remains open-minded about the Friday Night Football project.

Motherwell will take on Hibs tomorrow night; the second SPL match switched to a Friday as the SPL looks at new ways to improve the product and attract fans to live matches.

And although still remaining committed to the principle of the traditional 3pm on a Saturday kick-off slot, Dempster is keen on exploring new ideas.

“It’s going to be new for us (Friday Night Football), we are keen to try it, and I think we’re lucky we’re one of the first SPL clubs to give it a go,” she said.

“It would have been remiss of us to say no to it I think. I am quite excited by it; I have never been to a match on a Friday night before and it looks as if the weather is taking a turn for the better.

“We, as a club, have tried umpteen things over the past decade to try and increase our core fan base.

“They have had modest success at that time, but, in truth, fans have not come back over a longer term. That’s why we have restricted things like this and took a longer term view around pricing and initiatives for families and Season Ticket holders.

”But it is important that when someone suggests something different we give it a try and that’s why we are taking part.”

-CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH LEEANN EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

Motherwell take on Hibs tomorrow night with prices set at just £10 for adults and £5 for juveniles, it’s sure to be a cracker!

Following on from the fantastic Season Ticket offer, which allowed holders to nominate a friend for free, the club significantly reduced admission prices.

But what else can you expect? Well, Motherwell versus Hibs at Fir Park usually yields goals. There has been an incredible 23 in the last four fixtures between the sides at the home of the Steelmen.

The half-time Cash Converters ‘Convert for Cash’ makes a welcome return – if you fancy a chance of winning yourself £100 – there’s still time to enter – CLICK HERE.

We also have a fabulous Curry Night planned in our Hospitality suites with prices (including match ticket) down to as low as just £40. If you fancy it, you can still book a seat – CLICK HERE.

If you’re in the Cooper Stand, there will be loads on offer for the kids. The club are promoting healthy eating with a free fruit give away, as well as balloons and face painting and don’t miss Claret and Amber, our two mascots will be out and about with some of the first-team players handing our Panini stickers!

WE ARE MOTHERWELL FC. TOGETHER WE WILL BE STRONGER. PLAY YOUR PART AND FILL THE STADIUM

Stuart McCall admits he has no idea what to expect from Pat Fenlon’s Hibs when they visit Fir Park this Friday night.

The former Bohemians boss took over the hotseat at Easter Road at the tail end of last week before sitting in the stands to watch his side crash to a 3-1 defeat at McDiarmid Park.

However, the Irishman has taken full control this week and Hibs will be looking for a reaction in what will be their sixteenth game of the season.

“It’s hard to know how they will shape up but they have excellent players who can create chances and score goals,” he said.

“The Cup game between the sides was an excellent advert for football; how it finished 2-2 I will never know. We created more chances that night than I think we have in every other home game combined and it quite easily have finished 6-6.

“As I’ve said, we don’t know what formation they will use but it’s about how we play and how we take the game to them.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV-

Tom Hateley hopes the Friday night clash with Hibs under the floodlights at Fir Park will yield yet another entertaining affair.

Motherwell versus Hibs at Fir Park has forged something of a reputation for being laced with goals; indeed, the last four matches between the sides in North Lanarkshire have produced an astonishing 23 goals.

And although the former Reading player is keen to put on a show for the paying punters, he does admit that for the sake of his nerves, a somewhat low key victory would do just the same.

“Fingers crossed it will be an exciting game; it has been the last few times the teams have met with lots of chances and goals,” he said.

“Those games have probably been exciting for the fans but when you are on the pitch, I suppose you would rather be keeping a clean sheet. A 1-0 win would do me that is for sure.

“But hopefully we will have a big crowd in, we’ll entertain them with good football and we’ll come away with the result which we need.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH TOM EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-