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  • Archive

    Team News: Same starting eleven

  • Archive

    Extended partnership with MFC CT

  • Archive

    Dundee Matchday Magazine preview

  • Archive

    The ‘Signing Zone’ continues

  • Archive

    Motherwell V Dundee: Fan information

  • Archive

    Motherwell vs Dundee: A closer look

  • Archive

    Heneghan: We can challenge anyone

  • Archive

    McGhee: Encouraged by performances

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Station Park

  • Archive

    Craigan: As good as it’s been

  • Archive

    Team News: Same starting eleven

    Mark McGhee has named the same starting eleven against Dundee that were so unlucky to lose at Ibrox seven days ago.

    That means Joe Chalmers retains his place with Stevie Hammell only fit enough to take his seat amongst the substitutes.

    Stephen McManus and Ben Heneghan continue their partnership at the heart of the defensive with summer signing Richard Tait again at right back.

    Carl McHugh still hasn’t properly recovered from a head injury picked up on the opening day at Kilmarnock so the midfield three contains skipper Keith Lasley, young star Chris Cadden and the impressive Craig Clay, who ran himself into the ground against Rangers last week.

    Top scorer Scott McDonald leads the line in attack, supported by both Lionel Ainsworth and Marvin Johnson.

    James McFadden, Dom Thomas and Lee Lucas are on the substitutes bench.

    Motherwell: Samson, Tait, Heneghan, McManus, Ainsworth, Johnson, Cadden Lasley, Chalmers, Clay, McDonald

    Substitutes:
    Brill, Hammell, Lucas, Thomas, McFadden, Ferguson, MacLean

    Injured: McHugh, Moult, Kennedy, Blyth

  • Archive

    Extended partnership with MFC CT

    The club are today delighted to announce an extended partnership with the Motherwell FC Community Trust.

    The partnership, which will include branding on the first team shorts, will help generate regular exposure of the Community’s activities. Stadium and match-day advertising will provide a platform to launch their programmes, promote key messages and provide awareness of the Trust’s seasonal activity where developing the club’s fan base will hopefully be a bi-product.

    The Community Trust will be donating a quantity of match tickets for each game to young people from areas of deprivation, allowing many of them to attend a game at Fir Park for the first time, free of charge.

    Louis Moult, pictured, has kindly agreed to become the first Motherwell FC Community Trust Ambassador, where he will donate histime to attend some of the Trust’s activities meeting supporters and representing the club off the pitch.

    The aim of the Trust is to use the power of football and the brand name of Motherwell Football Club to motivate and inspire people and communities to change their lives for the better.

    The Trust operates across Lanarkshire and works with people and communities of all ages living within areas of multiple deprivation or those affected by issues such as poor physical and mental health, unemployment, poor attainment, low engagement with physical activity and community safety.

    Community Trust General Manager, Dawn Middleton said: “Motherwell FC Community Trust is delighted to extend its working partnership with the club to increase the profile of the programmes which we deliver.

    “It is a real opportunity to highlight our work and ensure that people of all ages can get involved in activity with the Trust. The appointment of Louis Moult as the first Trust Ambassador is fantastic: not only is he a top-class player but he is also a huge supporter of our work. We are delighted to have him on board.”

    Alan Burrows, the club’s Chief Operating Officer added: “The Community Trust do a wonderful job, touching the lives of almost 40,00 local people and working closely with them is an important step forward for all.

    “As a family and community club, it is important to increase the profile of the work done by everyone involved at the Trust among the local community and this partnership will certainly push that forward over the course of the next season and beyond.”



  • Archive

    Dundee Matchday Magazine preview

    The fourth issue of the Steelmen matchday magazine is on sale ahead of Dundee’s trip to Fir Park tomorrow.

    What can be found inside the 68-page programme?

    Along with the regular pre-match column from manager Mark McGhee and club captain Keith Lasley are new features including ‘Goal Zone’, ‘My Dream Eleven’, ‘5 Fast Facts’, ‘Picture of the Week’ and ‘Getting to Know You’ – where one of the first team stars is profiled.

    As part of the clubs aims to work closely with the Motherwell FC Community Trust and The ‘Well Society, there will be regular updates included in the magazine from Dawn Middleton at the Trust and Craig Hughes at the Society.

    This week’s main features include a look at opponents Dundee and a continuation of last season’s A-Z piece, where we arrive on the letters U and V, where Tony Vaughan and Simo Valakari are included in the insightful piece by Andy Paterson.

    The feature-interview is with Aussie striker Scott McDonald, who talks about the pain of Rangers last minute winner, the attitude of the squad and of course tomorrow’s opposition – Dundee.

    Our match reports section looks back on the Fir Parkers trip to Ibrox, in what was an excellent performance from McGhee’s side.

    An update on Stephen Craigan’s U20s side is included too, after the youngsters travelled north to face Inverness in the opening fixture of the Development League.

    As well as the latest from the Ticket Office, the magazine also has an in-depth look at tomorrow’s match-officials.

    All this and more is available for £3 and is on sale from the Club Shop as well as the usual sellers located in and around the ground pre-match.

    You can also order back editions or take a subscription to the magazine for the rest of the season by visiting the website of our publishers, Curtis-Sports –  CLICK HERE

  • Archive

    The ‘Signing Zone’ continues

    Our pre-match ‘Signing Zone’ continues this week prior to the Dundee Premiership fixture at Fir Park. 

    And for the fans, it provides an opportunity to meet summer signing Jacob Blyth and defender Kieran Kennedy.

    So why not arrive a little earlier before tomorrow’s big match? As both players will be in The Well Shop’s ‘Signing Zone’ from 12.30pm until 1pm, to meet fans, sign autographs and pose for a selfie or two.

    Each week, two different players will take their seats as the season progresses as part of the developing fan engagement programme here at Fir Park.

    Share your pics on twitter  @motherwellfc using #MFCSigningZone or facebook.com/motherwellfc

    The club shop is situated at the Cooper Stand and is open from 9.30am.

  • Archive

    Motherwell V Dundee: Fan information

    If you are coming to the Ladbrokes Premiership game against Dundee on Saturday, here is some information you may find useful.





  • Archive

    Motherwell vs Dundee: A closer look

    Mark McGhee’s side host Dundee at Fir Park on Saturday in the Steelmen’s fourth league game of the season.

    And after leaving Ibrox last weekend feeling hard done by, Motherwell will be eager to bounce back.

    Scott McDonald gave the ‘Well a first-half lead in front of 48,00o onlookers, but in heart-breaking fashion the hosts levelled on the hour mark before snatching all three points in the dying minutes.

    But with the performances of every player in the starting eleven encouraging the manager, the players and the fans – Motherwell will look to set the record straight back in front of the home support.

    Dundee currently sit sixth in the Ladbrokes Premiership, just a point ahead of the Fir Parkers, and Saturday’s match could prove to be a huge factor on both sides push for a top-half finish later in the season.

    The Dark Blues, like Motherwell, lost narrowly to Rangers after getting their campaign off to a flying start away to Ross County, coming away with a 3-1 win.

    Frustrated by Hamilton Accies in their last fixture, Paul Hartley’s men, like McGhee’s, will be keen to improve on recent results.

    Tickets for the match are available from the Fir Park Ticket Office now priced at:

    ADULTS:    £23/£19 
    CONCESSIONS       £16/£15
    JUVENILE    £12/£9
    FAMILY    £29/24
    • Concessions are listed as 60 and over, 16-18 year olds and over and full time students with a valid matriculation card
    • Juveniles are listed as 15 & under
    • The Cheaper priced ticket is for the East Stand only
    • Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 07745 494631/ 07711 992161 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk
    • Away fans are located in the South Stand
    • HOSPITALITY IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR THIS FIXTURE

    6ft 4in English defender Ben Heneghan believes Motherwell can bounce back to winning ways on Saturday. 

    The summer signing admitted that the Steelmen can afford to focus on their own performances and challenge any team in the top-flight.

    Speaking to the press this morning, Heneghan said: “[The Rangers defeat] was heart-breaking in a way – the last kick of the game and especially when you play the way we played, I thought we were brilliant and to lose at the end was a kick in the stomach.”

    Despite the loss, the centre-back felt it was still a learning curve in his career so far.

    He said: “It was brilliant to play in a game like that and I’ve never played in a stadium like that where there was 48,000 fans watching on.

    “That was massive for me and my development and I thoroughly enjoyed it – but next time we go there hopefully we can get the three points.”

    [pullquote]We’ve learned from the Rangers game and each match I just try to get better and better and learn from the players like McManus.[/pullquote]

    He added: “We’ve learned from the Rangers game and each match I just try to get better and better and learn from the players like McManus to get better in my career.”

    And on Saturday’s opponents Dundee, Heneghan admits that he aims to stick to doing what he does best for the team, alongside McManus, who the Englishman has formed a solid partnership with.

    He said: “I’ll look over clips of Dundee before we face them, then from there I just have to play my way and do what I can for the team.

    “We have to go into any game believing that we can challenge anyone, do what we have worked on and see if teams can deal with us.”

    Today’s visitors Dundee arrive on the back of a 1-1 draw with Hamilton Academical and currently occupy sixth spot in the table. 

    And for manager Paul Hartley, it was a disappointing showing from his side, as he claimed post match that he “couldn’t accept” the performance from his team, despite the fact that they moved joint-top of the league, albeit just for a matter of hours.

    Darren Lyon stunned Dundee with a incredible 25-yard strike, but Mark O’Hara responded after he was left unmarked to side-foot home Danny Williams’ corner almost immediately afterwards.

    Darian MacKinnon missed a sitter on the resumption for Accies, but Rory Loy, Yordi Tejsse and Danny Williams all missed chances to win it for Dundee.

    The hosts dominated all afternoon but couldn’t find the winning goal as they were unable to take their chances.

    The 2016/17 season represents an opportunity to return the club to a top half finish.

    Appointed in 2014, the ex-Hearts midfielder got off to a brilliant start to his Dee managerial career – guiding the club to the Championship title followed by a sixth placed spot in the top flight in the 2014/15 season.

    ‘Well fans need no reminder that that was the season the club slumped into the Premiership play-offs and survived in stunning fashion by beating Rangers 6-1 on aggregate.

    Last season though, Dundee finished eighth as the Steelmen surged to fifth, and matches like today’s are huge for both sides who have set their sights on the top-six.

    For the Dark Blues though, it won’t be plain sailing after they lost a number of key players from their squad.

    Greg Stewart and Kane Hemmings both left for the English leagues and are the biggest losses in terms of goals.

    Two such important players will always be hard to replace, but with the captures of Faisal El Bakhtaoui from Dunfermline and Michael Duffy on loan from champions Celtic, Paul Hartley may have found a source of goals for his side. James Vincent swapped Inverness CT for the Dark Blues and could bring a creative spark in midfield.

    Both Mark McGhee and Paul Hartley will be confident in their sides chances this weekend, as in the three games last season the ‘Well won once, drew once and lost once – making this one tough to call for the neutrals.

    The last time the two sides met at Fir Park though, Dundee couldn’t deal with McGhee’s men going forward and the Steelmen dominated and won 3-1.

    With a big season ahead for Paul Hartley and his side, they will be coming in to today’s match fired up for the occasion and will prove to be a tough test for McGhee’s Motherwell

  • Archive

    Heneghan: We can challenge anyone

    ‘Well defender Ben Heneghan admitted he aims to learn from the Rangers defeat last Saturday.

    Speaking to the press this morning, the English defender thought that Motherwell were “brilliant” but the defeat was very hard to take.

    The 22-year-old said: “It was heart-breaking in a way – the last kick of the game and especially when you play the way we played, I thought we were brilliant and to lose at the end was a kick in the stomach.”

    Despite the loss, the centre-back felt it was still a learning curve in his career so far.

    [pullquote]We’ve learned from the Rangers game and each match I just try to get better and better and learn from the players like McManus.[/pullquote]

    He said: “It was brilliant to play in a game like that and I’ve never played in a stadium like that where there was 48,000 fans watching on.

    “That was massive for me and my development and I thoroughly enjoyed it – but next time we go there hopefully we can get the three points.”

    He added: “We’ve learned from the Rangers game and each match I just try to get better and better and learn from the players like McManus to get better in my career.”

    And on Saturday’s opponents Dundee, Heneghan admits that he aims to stick to doing what he does best for the team, alongside McManus, who the Englishman has formed a solid partnership with.

    He said: “I’ll look over clips of Dundee before we face them, then from there I just have to play my way and do what I can for the team.

    “We have to go into any game believing that we can challenge anyone, do what we have worked on and see if teams can deal with us.”

  • Archive

    McGhee: Encouraged by performances

    ‘Well boss Mark McGhee believes his sides performance against Rangers will spur them on to put in a positive showing against Dundee this weekend.

    Speaking to the press this morning, the boss also touched on the attitude of his squad.

    He said: “Its not done us damage but it’s actually kicked us on again in terms of performance and I said last week that that was key.

    “It’s a difficult place for any team to go and get anything so to come away with the performance gives you something to build on.”

    The manager admitted that Dundee will be tough opponents tomorrow afternoon.

    He said: “I saw them the other night and to say they were creative is an understatement.

    [pullquote]The boys were hugely disappointed to not get anything from the match but they’ve all taken on what we’ve addressed this week in training.[/pullquote]

    “They’re formation was difficult to nail down, they’ve got a lot of variety in their shape and movement.”

    But with his current players mind-set, he feels the team are ready.

    He said: “I spoke to Craig Clay, even after the Celtic game, and while of course he didn’t enjoy it, he certainly took something from it.

    “And what he took from that game he took into the Rangers game and for me he was the man of the match.”

    He added: “The boys were hugely disappointed to not get anything from the match but they’ve all taken on what we’ve addressed this week in training.

    “We’ve looked at the stats and the performances and we were poorer against St Johnstone than we were against Rangers, so we hope we can keep that level of performance from the Rangers game into Saturday and that way we can hopefully get something against Dundee.”

     

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Station Park

    Goals from Lee Lucas, James McFadden and Allan Campbell earn a 1-3 win for Motherwell’s Under 20s.

  • Archive

    Craigan: As good as it’s been

    U20s manager Stephen Craigan felt his side’s performance was as good as it’s been at points tonight.

    The Northern-Irishman made the long trip north to Nairn with his side as they dominated Inverness and won 3-1 in the opening league game of the season.

    Speaking to MFC TV after the game, the manager praised all of his sides’ performances.

    He said: “We have a way that we want to try and play – we want people to get on the ball, we want people to be comfortable in possession of the ball.

    “I think first half is probably as good as it’s been – James McFadden came up to me at half-time and said he’s never enjoyed a first-half as much as that one in a long-time – credit has to go to all of the boys.”

    Leading 2-0 at half-time led Craigan to warn his players away from any complacency.

    He said: “I think the warning at half-time was not to give Inverness any in-roads or time on the ball – and I think they got a little bit lucky with their goal.

    [pullquote]I think first half is probably as good as it’s been – James McFadden came up to me at half-time and said he’s never enjoyed a first-half as much as that one in a long-time.[/pullquote]

    “But we showed good maturity when it went to 2-1. We managed to wrestle the game back in to our grasp and get control again.”

    He added: “The third goal was the icing on the cake but to be honest I think it could have been more.”

    The manager highlighted that not one of his players had an off night.

    He said: “Some of the boys had their best performances of the season tonight, Allan Campbell had a tough night against Airdrie last week but had probably his best performance of the season – as did Tom Fry.”

    He added: “Lee Lucas looked like a player full of composure and calmness and settled us at the right times.

    “I think the boys will learn from these experienced players – and of course there was that guy James McFadden playing out there tonight too.”