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Motherwell Football Club and the ‘Well Society can confirm that they have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Mr Les Hutchison.

If the transaction set out in the MOU is concluded, Mr Hutchison will provide the club with working capital finance, alongside the ongoing funding support provided by the Society, which has just provided another loan totalling £100k to the club

This finance will take the form of an interest free loan, repayable over a maximum period of five years.

During that time the Society Board have committed to growing both membership numbers and funds in order to demonstrate that the supporter base is fully behind the concept of fan ownership.

Once Mr Hutchison’s loan has been repaid in full, it is anticipated the Society will become the owners of the club. Mr Hutchison will effectively act as facilitator for the transition of ownership of the club to supporters, provided there is clear evidence that more of our fan base is willing to support the initiative.

We have now entered a 30-day exclusivity period to enable financial and legal due diligence to be undertaken.

Mr Les Hutchison stated: “I look forward to working with the Society and the Club to help them achieve their objective of fan ownership and be financially sustainable within five years.”

Mr Brian McCafferty, acting Chairman of the Society, added: “We would like to sincerely thank Les for his generous loan to the club which has kept alive hopes of community ownership. We emphatically believe the partnership between Les and the society provides, by far, the best solution to both the club’s short-term financial needs and its long -term sustainability and success.”

The club can also confirm that it has formally interviewed six potential candidates for the vacant manager’s position and hopes to be able to make an announcement of an appointment shortly.

Goalkeeper Dan Twardzik is hoping his own good form will help the Steelmen take all three points tomorrow.

The young ‘Well stopper was praised last weekend after the game against Celtic for a string of sensational saves which kept Motherwell in the game.

This was on the back of a similar performance in the William Hill Scottish Cup where time after time the German was on hand to deny Dundee Utd.

However ‘Well ended up losing both games, something which Twardzik hopes will change tomorrow against fellow SPFL strugglers Ross County.

[pullquote]Collectively, as a group, we have not been good enough but we’ll be looking to change that on Saturday.[/pullquote]

Speaking to the broadcast press at ‘Well’s pre-match news conference, the 23-year old said: ” I did pretty well but we are still not picking up points, which is disappointing.

“Collectively, as a group, we have not been good enough but we’ll be looking to change that on Saturday.

“It doesn’t matter who the manager will be. If we pick up the three points tomorrow, we’ll be five points above them so that is a big incentive. That gives you a little bit of a cushion which can hopefully then build some confidence.

“We had a good win at Dingwall earlier in the season and on that day we did everything we had to do to win the game. We took our chances and that will need to be the same again tomorrow, especially at home for the fans and everybody around the club.”

Kenny Black says he and his players have their minds firmly on football ahead of a huge game against Ross County.

There has been an air of uncertainty about Fir Park since Stuart McCall left, leaving assistant manager Kenny Black in charge.

As the club  deal with ownership negotiations and search for a new manager, Black says it would be easy to take his eye off the ball but insists he and the team are fully concentrated on matters on the pitch.

“There has been a great deal of speculation since Stuart resigned, but I think more so this week because I believe we are getting to the final stages of negotiations for the ownership of the club and the final stages for the announcement of a new manager,” Black told the press at Motherwell’s pre-match press conference.

“From my point of view, from Tuesday of this week all of that takes a back seat because the preparation of the players is of up most importance for a difficult game tomorrow.

“We don’t want to look too far ahead but even after this game we have two big games coming up and that has been the main topic of conversation for the players and myself.

[pullquote]”I’m quite conscious about not wanting to know too much of what is happening off the pitch as in this game it is very easy to get side-tracked and take your eye off the ball. We really can’t afford to do that ahead to the ninety minutes we have ahead of us tomorrow. [/pullquote]

“Of course players watch TV and read newspapers, but I’ve tried to make sure the focus solely on football, which they have done and the have done ok.

“Despite losing an early goal against Celtic and them having a lot of chances, we still hung in there and possibly could have had an equaliser. That gives you a little bit of hope that they can transfer that and get Motherwell up the table as soon as possible.”

Willie Collum will take charge of Saturday’s Scottish Premiership meeting with Ross County at Fir Park.

Regarded as one of Scotland’s best and most recognisable officials, Willie will be handling his third ‘Well game of the new campaign.

The first was at Rugby Park in late August, the home side running out comfortable 2-0 winners. The game didn’t pass without controversy, with Stuart McCall left frustrated at a number of decisions involving Manual Pascali and a missed handball in the box.

The other match was the instantly forgettable 0-4 reverse against Hamilton Accies at Fir Park. When goals from Mickael Antoine-Curier, Tony Andreu and a double from Ali Crawford gave the Accies their biggest win at Fir Park in over 80 years,

He took charge of three during the 2013/14 season too.

His first was a 3-0 win over St Mirren back in December when Lionel Ainsworth and a Henri Anier double separated the sides.

The second was at Tynecastle a few weeks later, John Sutton scoring the game’s only goal.
The last was the 2-1 win over Inverness back in May with goals coming from Sutton and a Gary Warren OG.

Willie is no stranger to ‘Well fans having been a top-flight whistler for a number of years, taking charge of six Motherwell matches the previous term too.

The first was the 1-0 defeat to Hearts in October 2012 when Danny Grainger’s long-range effort separated the sides.

He also took charge of both William Hill Scottish Cup clashes with Aberdeen last December.
In the first meeting at Pittodrie, Niall McGinn headed home a late equaliser to cancel out Jamie Murphy’s opener 10 minutes from time.

There would be disappointment for the Steelmen in the replay as goals from Rory Fallon and Joe Shaughnessy helped the Dons progress to the next round.

Motherwell were handed a lifeline in injury-time when Michael Higdon netted from the penalty spot, however Craig Brown’s side held firm in the final minutes.

He was also the man in the middle for the narrow 3-2 win over St Johnstone in January; Michael Higdon’s hat-trick sealing a terrific three points and also the disappointing 3-0 defeat at Ross County shortly after.

He also handled the James McFadden-inspired 4-1 victory over Hibs in March and, finally, the 4-3 defeat to Inverness Caley in the Highlands in May.

His overall record in charge of the Steelmen reads eight wins, fourteen defeats and five draws from twenty-seven matches (in all competitions).

In those games, Motherwell have scored 37 and conceded 50.

58 players have gone into the book, 29 wearing Claret and Amber, while five players have been dismissed – Ian Murray of Hibs at Easter Road five years back, Jerard Aafjes at Falkirk four seasons ago, Paul Dixon at the end of 2009/10, Henrik Ojamaa in that game at Caley fifteen months ago and, most recently, Fraser Kerr down at Rugby Park.

Stuart Stevenson and Frank Conner will run the lines with Brian Colvin on fourth official duties. The referee observer is Donald McVicar and the SPFL Delegate is Tim Love.

‘Well fans group – the Motherwell Bois – have launched a collection initiative for this weekend’s game aimed to help local food banks.

Motherwell Football Club were formed in 1886 when the two main work teams, Glencairn and Alpha, merged to create a club which could represent the town at a higher footballing level.

For the past 128 years, the club has been at the heart of the local community.

Unfortunately, in recent years, unemployment has been on the rise within our community and recent studies show 1 in 4 children in the Motherwell and Wishaw area now live in poverty.

We believe that as supporters of Motherwell FC, we have a duty of care to support, not only the football team, but the local community in these times of financial hardship.

The need for a united community, which strives to work together, has never been greater.

For this reason we have decided to organise a food bank collection which will take place before this Saturdays match at Fir Park between Motherwell and Ross County.

All donations will go towards ‘Basics Food Bank’, which operates throughout North Lanarkshire.

The aim of Basics Food Bank is to reach out to those in crisis with the provision of a food parcel and toiletry items.

We understand that times are tough, particularly in the run up to Christmas, however we would like to encourage fellow ‘Well fans to give what they can.

Where to find us: Outside the Davie Cooper Stand / The Well Shop from 1:30pm up until kick off!

What to bring: Non perishable food! The following items are desirable: tinned custard, tinned fruit, tinned meat, tinned fish, super noodles, soup, beans, life long milk, pasta sauce, instant coffee, tea bags, biscuits and any basic toiletries.

Please note this list is advisory, not exhaustive!

Jonatan Johansson’s Under 20s are in action tonight when they take on Partick Thistle at Firhill.

The young Steelmen’s bounced back from 0-2 to draw 2-2 with Ross County and will be desperate to pick up three points in Glasgow tonight.

A win could take the Fir Parkers as high as eighth, depending on other results in the league.

Thistle sit four points behind on 13 and they themselves will be keen to bounce back after their 4-2 defeat away to Hibs last time out.

The match takes place tonight (Tuesday 9th December). Kick off is 6pm.

 Extended highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell slip to a 0-1 home defeat at the hands of Celtic.

Action pictures from this afternoon’s 0-1 SPFL Premiership defeat by Celtic at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

[svgallery name=”celtic061214″]

Caretaker boss Kenny Black was left to rue late misses as Celtic ran out 1-0 winners at Fir Park.

Ronnie Delia’s side went ahead early on when Anthony Stokes capitalised on a defensive mix-up to put his side ahead.

Celtic created, and missed, a host of chances throughout; a combination of poor finishing and excellent goalkeeping from Dan Twardzik keeping the score line at 0-1.

However, after the introduction of Lee Erwin and Lionel Ainsworth, ‘Well began to create and passed up a huge chance to level when the subs did combine just minutes from the end, the big striker headed a close-range header wide of target.

‘Well can again take some encouragement from spells in the match, but, frustratingly, it’s another loss as ‘Well try repeatedly to get their season going.

[pullquote]The spirit and the determination from the players was there for everyone to see. We now come into a period before Christmas where we’ve got a couple of important games coming up so it’s important for us.[/pullquote]

“We were a bit unfortunate at the end with the header from Lee,” Black said after the match.

“He came on and he could maybe have had himself a hat-trick. That’s football. When we went down to 10 men, it was unfortunate. By all accounts, it was a straight red card and he deserved to go.

“We keep giving away silly goals and goals that we think can be prevented. It was a self-inflicted mistake from our point of view, which gave Celtic the lead.

“For the final 15 minutes of the first half and the whole of the second half Celtic created a number of chances through good defending from our point of view and good goalkeeping, we kept ourselves in the game.

“The spirit and the determination from the players was there for everyone to see. We now come into a period before Christmas where we’ve got a couple of important games coming up so it’s important for us.”

[tab:Match report]

 Phil McGhee Fir Park

10-man Motherwell put on a brave show but still lost out 0-1 to SPFL Premiership league-leaders Celtic at Fir Park.

After going behind after only five minutes to an Anthony Stokes goal and having withstood an opening onslaught, ‘Well showed great determination to keep themselves in the game until the final whistle.

And despite playing out the final 25 minutes with ten men, when Simon Ramsden was red carded, it was Kenny Black’s side who finished the game the stronger and passed up chances for an equaliser.

That seemed impossible for a ‘Well side that made two enforced changes from the side which started against Dundee United, Fraser Kerr and Stuart Carswell coming in for the injured pair Mark O’Brien and Paul Lawson.

It was a memorable milestone for Keith Lasley who made his 400th appearance in a Motherwell jersey and as ever he enjoyed his midfield tussle with Scott Brown and the attention of the Celtic fans.

But along with his team mates it looked like being a long and miserable ninety minutes with the ‘Well goal under siege from the start.

After last weeks heroics, Dan Twardzik found himself one on one with John Guidetti within two minutes, but the Celtic striker steered his shot just wide much to the relief of the home fans.

The opening goal, though, was only delayed three minutes when a dreadful passback from Kerr allowed Stefan Johansen to nip round Twardzik. He then cut the ball back leaving Anthony Stokes the easy task of driving the ball between Ramsden and Stephen McManus on the goal-line.

A low drive from James Forrest might have made it two for the visitors, before the home side made their first attack on Craig Gordon’s goal. The ‘keeper wasn’t threatened, though, as Iain Vigurs fired over before a strong run and inviting cross from Henrik Ojamma found no takers.

A swift Celtic move after 20 minutes finished with a powerful Johansen shot which Twardzik was well positioned to block.

‘Well’s defensive cause wasn’t helped after 29 minutes when Kerr limped off to be replaced by 18 year old David Ferguson.

Despite their terrible start Motherwell grew stronger as half progressed and as half-time approached they might have sneaked an equaliser.

In the 39th minute a thunderous drive towards goal from Ojamma knocked Efe Ambrose off his feet. With the Nigerian defender still grounded Celtic played on but when they lost possession Lasley’s shot from the edge of the box forced the first save from Gordon.

Two minutes later Josh Law swept a cross to the edge of the six yard box and the inrushing John Sutton was only denied by Virgil Van Dijk’s outstretched toe. From the resultant corner Ramsden’s header was on target but comfortably held by Gordon.

‘Well started the second half in the same fashion and pressure on the Celtic defence forced a poor clearance from Nir Bitton but Ojamma’s volley from the edge of the box swerved wide.

The promise of a fightback was almost undone in the 52nd minute when Forrest wriggled though the home defence but his fierce shot was superbly held by Twardzik low to his left.

The Parkhead side began to threaten in attack but the Fir Park were coping until they were reduced to ten men after 65 minutes.

As Forrest raced through on goal, Ramsden was forced into a last ditch tackle at the edge of the box which sent the Celtic winger flying and the ‘Well defender walking up the tunnel.

That forced Ferguson into central defence with Law dropping to full back and leaving the home side on the back foot for a spell of the game.

For the second successive home game Twardzik kept his side’s hope’s alive with a series of outstanding saves. Having blocked angled drive’s from Guidetti and Izaguirre, the ‘Well ‘keeper produced a stunning reflect save to deny Matthews from five yards before diving bravely at Guidetti’s feet.

That kept the home side in the game and with 12 minutes left, Kenny Black sensed an equaliser might be on the cards when he made a double substitution bringing on Lionel Ainsworth and Lee Erwin.

The attack minded pairing brought an immediate presence and menace to a Celtic defence which then had an uncomfortable closing spell.

And eight minutes from time Motherwell should have had an equaliser their spirited performance might have merited.

Ainsworth’s cross picked out Erwin completely unmarked just six yards out, but with Gordon’s goal begging the young striker powered his header down and wide of target.

Undaunted, ‘Well pressed until the final whistle and in injury time, having been booked a minute earlier for diving over Ambrose, Erwin stepped inside the Celtic defender at the corner of the box, only to curl his shot beyond the far post.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at Fir Park

FT: Motherwell 0 – 1 Celtic #MFCvCFC

92mins: Erwin tries to curl a shot to the far post but it’s well side in the end

91mins: Erwin booked for simulation in the box #MFCvCFC

2 minutes added on

88mins: Celtic sub, Commons on for Guidetti #MFCvCFC

82mins: HUGE chance for Erwin who has the whole goal to aim for but heads wide with nobody near him! #MFCvCFC

80mins: Celtic sub, Forrest off for Scepovic #MFCvCFC

78mins: Double ‘Well sub, Erwin and Ainsworth on for Vigurs and Sutton #MFCvCFC

76mins: Quite incredible save from Twardzik to deny Forrest from point black range. Celtic should have scored at least one of those chances

75mins: Again, the ball is put in on a plate for Guidetti but gets it all wrong again on the edge of the box #MFCvCFC

74mins: Unbelievable miss from Guidetti at the front post. Seemed to get his feet all wrong and taps the ball harmlessly out of play

72mins: Another fine stop from Twardzik! This time he uses his foot to stop Izaguirre’s shot who then slices the rebound wide #MFCvCFC

69mins: Superb save from Twardzik, diving to his left to palm away Guidetti’s curling shot #MFCvCFC

65mins: RED CARD: Ramsden is sent off, ref says it was a clear goalscoring opportunity. Free-kick 20 yards out for Celtic #MFCvCFC

63mins: Celtic sub, Tonev on for Stokes #MFCvCFC

62mins: Twardzik races off his line to gather in Matthews low cross which was Guidetti bound #MFCvCFC

60mins: Ramsden picks the ball up in the Celtic half but doesn’t spot the run of Law who would have been through on goal. #MFCvCFC

58mins: Last ditch interception from McManus as Matthews looked to slide in Stokes in the middle of the goal #MFCvCFC

From the corner, Guidetti heads over at the front post.

56mins: Good covering from Law as he gets back to slide the ball out for a corner as Stokes threatened #MFCvCFC

52mins: Space opens up for Forrest just inside the box. He shoots with his left foot an Twardzik makes a good stop, diving low to his right

47mins: Decent bit of pressure from ‘Well but when the ball eventually falls to Ojamaa on the edge of the box, he slices his shot well wide

Stokes and Johansen get the second half underway #MFCvCFC

Teams are back out. Still 1-0 here to Celtic, need a big second half #MFCvCFC

HT: Motherwell 0 – 1 Celtic #MFCvCFC

41mins: Sutton fires a great ball in across goal towards Law but Izaguirre gets there first and knocks it wide for a corner. #MFCvCFC

38mins: Arguably ‘Well’s best chance of the game, Ojamaa fires straight at Ambrose then Vigurs is slid in but Gordon saves with ease.

29mins: Motherwell sub, young David Ferguson is on for the injured Fraser Kerr #MFCvCFC

20mins: Celtic cut through the ‘Well defence and eventually Johansen is slid in. From inside the box, he fires straight at Twarzik #MFCvCFC

18mins: Lasley plays a free-kick down the left wing to Ojamaa who then swings a cross into the box but it’s too deep and Izaguirre mops up

14mins: First bit of attacking intent from ‘Well but Vigurs’ shot from 25 yards is way off the mark. #MFCvCFC

13mins: Another great chance for Celtic.Forrest should score after being slid in by Brown but like Guidetti, drags it just past the post

11mins: All Celtic so far. Ball falls kindly for Forrest 20 yard out and he takes it on the volley. Flies not far wide of the left post

8mins: McManus is punished for a foul on Guidetti about 30 yards out on the right hand side. Johansen takes it and Carswell knocks it wide.

6mins: GOAL – Johansen pouncs on a slack back pass, nips around Twardzik and squares it to Stokes who taps in with ease

2mins: great chance already for Celtic. Guidetti is threaded through by Brown but fails to hit the target, dragging just wide from 15 yards

1min: Stokes delivers the corner deep and Ambrose heads well wide.

1min: Kerr takes no chances at the back post and nods it out for a corner #MFCvCFC

Law and Lasley kick the game off #COYW #MFCvCFC

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell caretaker manager Kenny Black:

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Celtic manager Ronnie Deila:

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[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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