Latest News

MORE THAN A CLUB …..

Unbeaten in the last three games, the first 11 are slowly but surely moving up the Premiership League table.

The Under 20’s too, are making good progress. According to Stephen Craigan, manager: “I’ve been with the group for about six or seven weeks now and we can certainly start to see the fruits of our hard work.

“Players are taking on board what we’re telling them. The more and more than happens, the better side we will be and, hopefully, the better players they will become.

The young lads represent the future of the football side of the club. The greater the number of players making their way into the first team, the brighter that future will be.

Our ladies’ football team also continue to blaze a trail in their league. I would like to express my congratulations to the team on securing their promotion to the 1st Division next season.

The ladies’ team is one of several that are run by the Community Trust, which for my money tops the Scottish league for providing a substantial top quality range and variety of programmes for over 37,000 citizens – young and older – across Lanarkshire.

For example, football-wise, during the summer the Holiday Soccer Camp proved to be very popular, with more than 50 boys and girls on average attending the camp each day. The Camp provides great fun for its participants who have the opportunity to improve their football skills while making new friends and mingling with the first team squad.

The new season started for many of our community teams in mid-August. Over 350 players from the age of 6 onwards will be donning the claret and amber and representing the ‘Well at community level with distinction.

The community teams continue to feed players through to the club’s academy. On the female side we have six players attending SFA regional squads, and Alise Stewart, at only 15, was selected for the Scottish Women’s Under 17’s squad.

But the Community Trust is more than just football, much more. For instance, the Trust has secured £58,000 of heritage funding to develop a project which will celebrate next year’s 130th anniversary of the club.

As part of the project a team of volunteers will catalogue the memorabilia held by the club, digitise it and make it available through a project website. Stadium Tours will be developed, as will learning resources for local schools that will timeline the social history of Lanarkshire within the context of the club. The project has just started August and will be concluded in November 2016.

Comic Relief has provided £47,000 for the Community Trust to work with young people who are at risk of, or have been exposed to domestic abuse. In partnership with Lanarkshire Council and Police Scotland, the project will seek to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of these young people using football as a hook.

And so on…

While we are all passionate about what happens on the pitch every Saturday, what happens day in and day out at the club is something our supporters can be justifiably very proud of.

Since 1886, throughout its sometimes tumultuous history, the club has remained a strong and enduring pillar of the community, providing a sporting and social focus for its fans, employment for many of its citizens and business partners, and a focal point for caring, community action.

Long may it continue.

Brian McCafferty
Chairman

The Under 20s return to action this Tuesday (15th September) when they take on Dunfermline at Broadwood Stadium.

The young Steelmen have drawn their last two games 2-2 against both Rangers and Kilmarnock, fighting back from a losing position in both to earn a point.

The Pars have made a good start to the campaign themselves, putting an opening day 3-1 defeat at Rugby Park behind them to win against both Hearts and St Mirren.

They currently sit fourth in the SPFL Development League table, a point ahead of the Claret and Amber men, having played a game less.

The match will take place at Broadwood Stadium, home of Clyde FC, with kick-off 2pm.

Seventeen shirts from Keith Lasley’s Testimonial against Bolton Wanderers are being auctioned off on our ebay site and bidding ends tonight!

The Steelmen lost out 2-1 on the day but this is your chance to make sure you don’t lose out on a piece of Motherwell history as the match-worn shirts are up for grabs.

All shirts come signed by each player and come with a signed programme.

Keith’s shirt is a little more special and comes with a signed captain’s armband.

Head over to our ebay site and get bidding on these great items by clicking here

Extended highlights from Fir Park as Louis Moult’s injury time goal earns ‘Well a point against Ross County.

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough praised the persistence of his side as they rescued a point with a late Louis Moult leveller.

County took the lead just after the half hour. A innocuous looking Reckord free kick caught the wind and when the Steelmen failed to clear, Michael Gardyne tucked home from close range.

Whilst County saw more of the ball in the first half, ‘Well probably had the better of the chances with Moult firing wide then bringing out a good low save from Scott Fox.

County were content to sit in for the majority of the second half and try and hit on the counter.

‘Well forced them back, particularly after the introduction of Marvin Johnson, but chances for Robinson, Taylor and Johnson all came and went.

[pullquote]There was frustration all over that we hadn’t produced what we could have done. It could have been easy to pack in but that’s not what that dressing room is about. There’s character in there, people who want to win. We kept going and got our rewards from it.[/pullquote]

It looked as if County would hold on for all three points but the Claret and Amber men grabbed the goal they deserved when after a period of good possession, Johnson’s low cross was turned into the net by Moult for his fourth in four games.

“I felt [the goal was coming], we were always trying to press,” Baraclough said.

“We had patience. We didn’t give in, we tried different ways of going and went to a back three. The boys stuck at it.

“There was frustration all over that we hadn’t produced what we could have done. It could have been easy to pack in but that’s not what that dressing room is about. There’s character in there, people who want to win. We kept going and got our rewards from it.

“It was never going to be a pretty game, Ross County scrap for everything. We could have been better [with the ball] but they don’t allow you to do that.”

Action pictures from today’s score draw with Ross County at Fir Park

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

[svgallery name=”rosscounty120915″]

[tab:Match report]

 Phil McGhee Fir Park

An injury time goal from on form Louis Moult earned Motherwell a deserved point from a gritty encounter with Ross County.

Until then the Highlanders looked to be holding on for their first ever win at Fir Park thanks to a first half goal from Michael Gardyne.

But in a far from quality performance, ‘Well’s determination to fight until the final whistle was rewarded with a share of the points.

Hoping to build on the win over Kilmarnock, Jake Taylor returned from suspension to take his place in the middle of the park. With Dom Thomas retaining his starting spot out wide, Marvin Johnson had to settle for a place on the subs bench along with Man United loanee Liam Grimshaw.

Once again it was almost the perfect start for the Steelmen.

Hammell swung in a deep ball which caused some indecision between Fox and  Jamie Reckord whose careless header exposed the County ‘keeper,  but the Englishman volleyed the loose ball inches wide from 20 yards.

The home defence then faced a series of corners and despite Stephen McManus close marking Andy Davies flashed a header wide of goal.

At the other end a superb through ball from Scott McDonald just evaded the oustretched boot of Moult at the edge of the six yard box.

A poor pass back from Davies allowed Moult in behind the visitor’s defence but his cut back for the waiting Thomas was cleared.

Although the general play was rather untidy ‘Well were looking more intent as the half progressed and after 29 minutes Moult’s well struck drive from 20 yards was parried by Scott Fox at full stretch but nobody in claret and amber could react to the loose ball.

However, ‘Well’s hopes of finding the opener were dented four minutes later when County took the lead through the simplest of goals. A long free kick from Reckord should have been dealt with in the six yard area before the ball found its way to Gardyne who turned and guided his effort inside the post.

Baraclough’s boys never really threatened the County goal before the break and it was no surprise when the ‘Well boss brought on Theo Robinson at the expense of McDonald, to partner Moult for the second half.

Robinson’s enthusiasm and running brought an added dimension and the first threat on goal came after 57 minutes when Lionel Ainsworth’s free kick was punched off Moult’s head by the alert Fox.

On the hour ‘Well made their second substitution Marvin Johnson replacing Thomas and within three minutes he had a powerful drive at goal which was blocked by Marcus Fraser.

Connor Ripley was then asked to make his first save of the match in the 65th minute firmly holding Jackson Irvine’s long range effort.

A minute later Moult slipped the ball in front of Johnson at the angle of the box but with Robinson waiting in front goal the ‘Well winger blasted high into the side netting.

Most of the play was towards the visitor’s goal and and a swift turn gave Robinson space at the edge of the box but his low curled shot was held by Fox.

County seemed content with their slender lead and although quick on the counter attack never tested Ripley.

With six minutes remaining Baraclough boldly went to three at the back bringing on Grimshaw for his league debut and in a grandstand finish he played his part in a long sequence of passes that led to the equaliser.

With the clock ticking towards the final whistle ‘Well kept possession in the corner and when Johnson was released to the byeline he drilled the ball across the face of the goal leaving Moult to tap the ball into the net for his fourth goal in four games.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at Fir Park

 4 goals in 4 games for Moult, whose injury time equaliser rescues a point for ‘Well.

FT’ | 1-1
Motherwell 1 – 1 Ross County

91′ | 1-1
MOULT SCORES! Taps in at the back post from Johnson’s low cross!!

GGGGOOOOAALLL!!!!

90′ | 0-1
5 minutes added on…..

89′ | 0-1
Boyce should have finished the game but blazes over the bar when a placed shot would have done it.

85′ | 0-1
Motherwell sub, Grimshaw is on for Law.

83′ | 0-1
Two Motherwell corners in a row but no end product from either.

82′ | 0-1
Ross County make their final change, Franks off for Graham

79′ | 0-1
Foster booked for a ridiculously high boot on Taylor…

75′ | 0-1
Taylor collects a loose ball but always looked off balance as he shot from range. Well over the bar.

70′ | 0-1
Second Ross County sub, Woods on for Quinn.

68′ | 0-1
Moult and Robinson combine well on the edge of the box. Theo gets a shot away but it’s straight at Fox.

66′ | 0-1
Close! Johnson gets played in down the left but can’t wrap his foot around it to square to Robinson. Ends up hitting sidenetting

65′ | 0-1
Irvine lets fly from 25 yards and his shot stings the palms of Ripley .

64′ | 0-1
Ross County sub, Foster on for De Vita

59′ | 0-1
Motherwell sub, Johnson on for Thomas

0 retweets 0 favorites

56′ | 0-1
Reckord booked for hacking down Ainsworth wide on the right.

55′ | 0-1
Robinson wins a corner off Davies……again, easily cleared by County. 🙁

50′ | 0-1
Couple of nice crosses in from Ainsworth but under pressure from Robinson, Fox does well to gather.

Motherwell have made a half-time sub, Robinson on for McDonald.

Both teams out for part 2. Neither side has scored in the second half this season in the league….

Half-time whistle blows, Motherwell 0 – 1 Ross County

41′ | 0-1
Moult does well to force a corner for ‘Well……but from that corner, County counter and win a corner of their own.

33′ | 0-1
Goal – County take the lead. Gardyne gets a fortunate break of the ball and on the swivel fires it under Ripley. 0-1 County.

29′ | 0-0
Fraser plays a poor pass straight to Moult and from about 25 yards he shoots hard and low but Fox is equal and makes a diving stop

23′ | 0-0
Thomas gets past Franks then wins a corner…..easily cleared by Robertson though

16′ | 0-0
Moult passes on a slack back-pass and with the angle too narrow to shoot, squares it across the box but with no takers.

10′ | 0-0
Yet another County corner, this time Davies rises and gets his head on it. Flies just past the post with Ripley beaten.

8′ | 0-0
County work that corner short and Jackson Irvine’s header loops over the bar for a goal-kick.

7′ | 0-0
Gardyn works some space down the right and McManus takes no chances, prodding his cross out for a corner.

5′ | 0-0
McManus heads a deep County free-kick over the bar for a corner, which is hooked clear by Moult.

4′ | 0-0
Indecision between Fox and Reckord gives Moult a good chance to get a shot away. His volley from outside the box flashes just wide!

Kick-off | 0-0
McDonald and Lasley get the game underway. COYW!!!!!!!

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough:

“I felt [the goal was coming], we were always trying to press.

“We had patience. We didn’t give in, we tried different ways of going and went to a back three. The boys stuck at it.

“There was frustration all over that we hadn’t produced what we could have done. It could have been easy to pack in but that’s not what that dressing room is about.

“There’s character in there, people who want to win. We kept going and got our rewards from it.

“It was never going to be a pretty game, Ross County scrap for everything. We could have been better [with the ball] but they don’t allow you to do that.”

Ross County manager Jim McIntyre:

“In the second half we were the better, more dominant side and created opportunities to get that second goal.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t take the chance and it came back to bite us. We were still hurting Motherwell on the counter attack. You’ve got to credit the opposition, they’re going to have a period in the game when they put you under pressure, they’re the home side.

“I thought we were coping with it and I didn’t see them scoring, but we switched off at a thrown-in and got done.

“But I’m delighted with what the players gave us, they’re doing a lot of things really well. We just had to take that chance for the second goal and if we’d done that it would have been game over.

“We’ll lick our wounds because we felt it’s two points dropped and we go again.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”243″]

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough expects his side are going to have to battle hard to outfox a talented Ross County side tomorrow.

The Steelmen’s victory over Kilmarnock was their first Ladbrokes Premiership win since the opening day of the season against Inverness and while he was pleased with the win, Baraclough expects a tough test from County at Fir Park.

The Staggies have started the season pretty much the same way they finished the previous, winning games. They’ve won their last three and will travel to Fir Park full of confidence.

The former Scunthorpe United boss said: “Going on last season’s games against them, we know what they are about.

[pullquote]We are at home in front of our own fans, we’ve won the last two without playing particularly well so with competition for places intense in our squad, I want the lads to go out and prove whey they’ve been selected.[/pullquote]

“We know what Jim McIntyre demands from his players. It will be the full 95 or 96 minutes, it will be about winning second balls, closing us down at pace all over and we have to be ready for that.

“I think our performances this season so far have deserved more points – but in the main we have played well, other than a few blips.

“We are at home in front of our own fans, we’ve won the last two without playing particularly well so with competition for places intense in our squad, I want the lads to go out and prove whey they’ve been selected.”

Fir Park Stadium has been chosen to host Scotland’s first home UEFA Women’s EURO qualifier against Belarus next month.

Anna Signeul’s squad begin their quest to qualify for the finals in the Netherlands with an away match against Slovenia later this month before taking on Belarus in Motherwell on 23rd October.

The Scots will then take on Macedonia at St Mirren Park in late November in what will be their last competitive match of the calendar year.

Scotland Women’s coach Anna Signeul said: “I’m delighted to have two first-class venues confirmed for our opening home matches of this new qualification campaign.

[pullquote]Motherwell have always been great whenever we have held matches there in the past and I’m looking forward to returning there in October.”[/pullquote]

Alan Burrows, General Manager of Motherwell FC added: “We’re delighted to welcome the Scotland National Team back to Fir Park for this important qualifier and we will support Anna and the Ladies in whatever way possible.

“As a Club, we are investing a lot into the woman’s game both at grass roots level and with our senior team, so to have the cream of Scottish talent on our own turf is another fantastic boost.

“Everyone is already looking forward to the match and we would like to wish Scotland all the very best in their forthcoming campaign.”

All you need to know before coming to the game against Ross County tomorrow:

The Well Shop

• The Club shop will be open from 9.30am until kick off and will reopen 5 minutes before the final whistle for 30 minutes.

Ticket Office

• Is open from 10am until 3pm for collections or match tickets and post-match for sale of Hamilton Acccies’ tickets which is currently an all ticket game.

Match Programme

• The Ross County match programme can be purchased from the vendors around the stadium or Club shop priced at £3 and this week features an in-depth interview with Louis Moult

50/50 Draw

• A small band of dedicated sellers will be patrolling Fir Park selling tickets priced at £1 each with a top prize of £250 available

Cooper Suite

• FREE juice/drinks for kids – must be accompanied by an adult buying drinks from the bar
• FREE Face Painting at The Cooper Suite entrance
• FREE GAME area where you can play FIFA against some first team players!
• FREE Match Attax albums, cards and stickers
• Filled Rolls available, £1.50 each
• Cooper Suite raffle
• Autograph/Picture zone with selected squad players from 1.45pm-2.15pm

Centenary Suite

• The Centenary bar will open for Hospitality guests from 12:30pm with meals being served from 1:00pm
• Hospitality Season Ticket upgrades available for £25 to all supporters
• Dress code is Smart – No denim, training shoes or football strips
• Contact our Commercial team on 01698 333333 or email commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk to book your place