Latest News

The Steelmen Magazine returns today bigger and brighter than ever and the first issue of the season is dedicated to the man of the moment, Stevie Hammell.

The 68-page, glossy magazine is another production by Curtis Sport/Blue Chilli Design, in partnership with the club and it promises to be the best season yet.

What’s special about today’s magazine is that every single penny of profit will go to Stevie’s Testimonial fund so make sure you pick up a copy.

What’s inside? Enough reading to keep you interested for hours.

Old classics return in the shape of the manager’s notes, “this week”, “FANatics”, referee’s review and the quiz! But that’s where the familiarity stops.

New features include a new captain’s column with the one and only Keith Lasley. Another new one is iPLAYER – making its debut with Jamie Murphy taking the questions.

[pullquote]What’s special about today’s magazine is that every single penny of profit will go to Stevie’s Testimonial fund so make sure you pick up a copy.[/pullquote]

Each week will focus on a Motherwell ‘Cult Hero’ and although he might not quite fit the bill for a cult hero (he has played over 400 games after all), it would be remiss not to feature Stevie Hammell in this issue.

Hammy also takes part in yet another new feature called ‘FIRST AND LAST’ – quick fire questions that are certain to amuse. Needless to say a few of the lads take a bit of a doing.

It’s more Hammell than you can image as we look back at his Top Five moments of his Motherwell career.

But wait, the best is yet to come. The feature interview is of course, you guessed it, Stevie Hammell but there are others. We have an exclusive interview with legend James McFadden, who is looking forward to teaming up with some old buddies against his former side.

There are also ten pages about today’s opponents including another exclusive chat with another Scottish footballing legend, David Weir.

All this and more for just £3. Magazines will be available from sellers in and around the ground from about noon today as well as in the club shop.

Goalkeeper Darren Randolph has been included in Republic of Ireland squad for the forthcoming friendly against Serbia at Crvena Zvezda Stadium.

Randolph, 25, has been named in Giovanni Trapattoni’s 23-man squad for the game on August 15th.

Making the announcement, the Republic of Ireland manager said, “This friendly offers us a great opportunity to try out younger players ahead of our World Cup qualifying campaign.

“As a result, I have decided to leave some of our senior players out of the squad for this fixture. Serbia are a very good team with a great football heritage, and will provide us with a great test before our game against Kazakhstan in September.

“I am looking forward to working with each of these players next month. As we prepare for a new journey for this team, it is important that we remember our last campaign as we build for a brighter future.”

Full Republic of Ireland squad:

Keiren Westwood (Sunderland AFC)
David Forde (Millwall FC)
Darren Randolph (Motherwell FC)
Marc Wilson (Stoke FC)
John O’Shea (Sunderland AFC)
Sean St. Ledger (Leicester City FC)
Darren O’Dea (Unattached)
Stephen Ward (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC)
Stephen Kelly (Fulham FC)
Paul McShane (Hull City FC)
Glenn Whelan (Stoke City FC)
Darron Gibson (Everton FC)
James McCarthy (Wigan Athletic FC)
Paul Green (Leeds Utd FC)
Seamus Coleman (Everton FC)
Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow FC)
Andy Keogh (Millwall FC)
James McClean (Sunderland FC)
Keith Treacy (Burnley FC)
Kevin Doyle (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC)
Shane Long (West Bromwich Albion)
Simon Cox (West Bromwich Albion)
Jon Walters (Stoke City)

Following this morning’s draw which pitted the Steelmen against Greek giants Panathinaikos – the club are completing a feasibility review in to running a charter plane.

There has been a great deal of interest already in the game which will take place in Athens on Wednesday 8th August.

The price for the trip, if it goes ahead, which will include flights, transfers and accommodation, will be approximately £650.

WE ARE NOW FULLY BOOKED FOR THIS FLIGHT AND ARE NO-LONGER TAKING EMAILS OF INTEREST

‘Well boss Stuart McCall has told MFC TV he is glad the Steelmen have been handed a home match first in their Champions League clash with Panathinaikos.

Fir Park will be the venue for the first ever Champions League match in Lanarkshire with the Greek giants the opponents.

McCall was pleased with how things have worked out although he expects a very difficult evening against the 20-times Superleague winners.

“I’m delighted to be at home first,” he admitted.

[pullquote]I wasn’t too bothered which side it was because we are going to be underdogs anyway but the first question was is it home first and it was so I’m delighted.[/pullquote]

“We were training at Dalziel when Bobby Jenks came and told us the news. I wasn’t too bothered which side it was because we are going to be underdogs anyway but the first question was is it home first and it was so I’m delighted.

“It would be fantastic if we could sell Fir Park out and there is an opportunity to do that.

“Travel wise Copenhagen would be good but Greece is decent although it will still be very hot. It would be nice to go over there with us still in the tie and it gives us a slight opportunity with us being at home first.

“My big fear, without being negative would be going away first and getting beat three or four nil and the anticipation for the home game dies, but for it to be our first competitive home game of the new season is perfect and I’m really looking forward to it.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

Motherwell have been drawn to face Panathinaikos in the Third Qualifying Round of the UEFA Champions League.

It’s the first time the club have ever faced Greek opposition in European competition.

The ties are due to be played on 31st July / 1st August with the return on 7th/8th August.

Further details, initial charter information and reaction will follow shortly…

Motherwell FC are today delighted to confirm that current shirt sponsors Cash Converters have underlined their commitment to the club and extended the deal until the end of 2013/14 season.
 
Motherwell Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said, “We are absolutely delighted that Cash Converters is giving such strong support to Motherwell Football Club, and Scottish Football in these turbulent times.
 
“The partnership has been a great success. Cash Converters have easily been the most engaging and involved of any sponsor the club has ever had and I am sure supporters have seen that with the amount of initiatives and communications that have taken place during our first season.
 
“We look forward to working with them on both domestic and European fronts this season and again in 2013/14.”
 
Cash Converters Chief Executive, David Patrick, said: “It has been a tremendous honour to work with the Club and the fans this past year and we are thoroughly looking forward to supporting the Club this season as they embark on new adventures in both the Champions League and the new look SPL.

[pullquote]We are absolutely delighted that Cash Converters is giving such strong support to Motherwell Football Club, and Scottish Football in these turbulent times.[/pullquote]

Cash Converters will continue to work closely with the Club and its supporters to continually enhance the matchday experience and offer money can’t-buy competitions including a new initiative this season where we are giving fans the chance to convert their seat and sit with the Stuart McCall and the boys in the ‘Well dug out during the game. We hope the extra support helps the Club and its excellent supporters.”

Cash Converters provides consumers with a modern and convenient environment in which to sell used or unwanted goods for instant cash. Stores also offer a place to shop for pre-owned bargains and a range of financial services including pawn-broking, cash advance and personal loans.

The deal was sourced and negotiated by sports marketing agency, SportQuake, who will also manage the sponsorship.

Tonight’s friendly match with Arbroath has postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Motherwell FC and Breathing Space are proud to announce the renewal of their partnership for the 2012-2013 season.

Motherwell Manager Stuart McCall said: “We are delighted to have Breathing Space on board with us again this season. As a Community Club we want our fans and those living in Lanarkshire to look after their mental wellbeing – to be able to raise awareness of a free and confidential service like Breathing Space is very important to both the staff and the players.”

Tony McLaren, Breathing Space National Coordinator commented: “We are looking forward to working with Motherwell FC again; it’s great to see the Breathing Space logo displayed on first team jerseys. We see this as an excellent opportunity to help football fans and players across Scotland improve their mental wellbeing.”

“We have over 40 fully trained staff taking calls relating to a wide range of issues including relationship difficulties, loneliness and isolation, stress and bereavement. It’s important for people to open up when they are feeling down. People can be reluctant to say that they are depressed but calling us is an important first step.” said Tony.

Breathing Space handles more than 6000 calls each month. Because many people suffering from low mood and depression feel particularly bad in the evenings, the lines are open from 6pm to 2am Monday to Thursday and 24 hours at the weekend (6pm on Friday to Monday 6am).

The service also provides a British Sign Language (BSL) option for individuals who are Deaf and wish to communicate via webcam with a trained BSL advisor. For access to the BSL webcam service and for more information about Breathing Space visit www.breathingspacescoltand.co.uk.

For emotional support, talk in confidence with trained advisors by calling 0800 83 85 87.

Match highlights from Starks Park as Raith Rovers and Motherwell battle out a keenly-contested 1-1 draw.

-CLICK HERE FOR MATCH HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

‘Well boss Stuart McCall spoke of his satisfaction at the level of workout his players got in a battling 1-1 draw with Raith Rovers at Starks Park.

The Steelmen took the lead midway through the second half when Jamie Murphy bundled home from close range.

It stayed that way until the dying minutes when Paddy Clarke got on the end of a Jason Thomson cross to bullet home a leveller.

Despite the disappointment at the late equaliser, McCall was pleased at getting most of his players a valuable ninety minutes.

[pullquote]It was a good exercise, we wanted to win the match and losing the equaliser so late was disappointing but it was a goal Raith probably just about merited.[/pullquote]

“There was some nice football but we were still guilty of being careless in possession at times,” he said.

“Overall, the main aim was to get the majority of the lads the full ninety minutes and we managed that. Had it been a league match we would have been looking to see the game out but we wanted to maintain the pace as the last fifteen minutes is all about fitness.

“Obviously we only made two substitutions, the two young lads coming on to replace Erwin and Watt, and that told with Rovers making a number and looking the fresher as the game drew to a conclusion.

“It was a good exercise, we wanted to win the match and losing the equaliser so late was disappointing but it was a goal Raith probably just about merited.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-