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Motherwell fans have the unique opportunity to engrave their name in the history of the club.

With the tunnel walls of Fir Park filling up with white tiles of support and memory, there aren’t many spaces left to get your name up on the stadium walls.

In the final few moments before a crucial game, footballers face a tense wait as they psyche themselves up for the 90 minutes of battle ahead.

Now the Steelmen have some extra help achieving a winning frame of mind – with a wall of support and memory to inspire players in the tunnel at Fir Park Stadium.

The walls of the current passage leading from the dressing room to the pitch transformed in to a motivational tile mosaic featuring messages of support or memories of fans past and present.

Each white tile is 25x20cm in size and carries a personal message or memory (a maximum of four rows, with a 16 character limit per row) and the Motherwell logo, carved in claret for all time.

You’ll receive your official certificate of authenticity at the point of sale, followed by a letter offering a choice of dates for you to come along and visit the tunnel to see your special message in place.

The price for this memento is just £25.

If you want to be among those who have a special mention in the tunnel and give the players that little bit of extra motivation, buy now!

To buy, click here  or call 01698 338068.

Extended highlights from Fir Park where Louis Moult bags four goals as the Steelmen beat Hamilton Accies 4-2 .

Star striker Louis Moult admitted he is “buzzing” after putting in an incredible four-goal haul in the Lanarkshire derby today.

In his first league start of the season since coming back from injury, the English forward bagged a first-half hat-trick in the space of 12 minutes.

Speaking to MFCTV after the match, the 24-year-old expressed his delight for the four goals and the three points.

He said: “The main thing today is that I got through it on the fitness side and a personal note, but as a team we were fantastic, we’ve gone and beat our rivals 4-2 and I’ve got four goals.

[pullquote]I’m absolutely buzzing, it’s sank in now with all the boys congratulating me and all the fans saying well done.[/pullquote]

“I’m absolutely buzzing, it’s sank in now with all the boys congratulating me and all the fans saying well done.

“It means a great deal to me, I’ve just got to try and beat that record now.”

A fans favourite at Fir Park, Moult admitted the response from the crowd is one of the things that spurs him on as a player.

[pullquote]It means so much to myself and that’s what makes me put in so much effort and I appreciate that support and I’ll be honest I get a massive buzz off it, and long may it continue.[/pullquote]

He said: “It’s brilliant, I was just saying earlier that it means so much to myself and that’s what makes me put in so much effort and I appreciate that support and I’ll be honest I get a massive buzz off it, and long may it continue.”

18 goals in his debut season, the forward has now taken his tally in Claret and Amber to 25, and he hopes for an even better campaign that last.

He said: “I always want to improve and score goals so if I can score more than I did last season that’s a massive plus for myself but I’ve got to take one game at a time and work hard.”

Images from today’s 4-2 win over Hamilton Accies in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

[svgallery name=”hamiltonaccies170916″]

‘Well boss Mark McGhee felt his team were deserving of the three points as they stormed to a convincing win over rivals Hamilton Academical.

A historic quadruple from star striker Louis Moult put the game beyond the visitors and marked the Englishman’s highly awaited return to fitness.

Speaking to MFC TV after the match, McGhee said today’s result can inspire his team going forward.

He said: “We can be encouraged after today’s result. Last week I was and I felt that in last weeks game and even the Dundee game, those are games that historically we could have ended up losing, but we’ve got draws.

“So I was looking at the positives there and thinking of those games as draws instead of defeats rather than draws instead of winning.”

[pullquote]We’ve kicked on from [our previous results] today, the first half-hour we were sensational, I thought we played ever so well.[/pullquote]

He added: “We’ve kicked on from that today, the first half-hour we were sensational, I thought we played ever so well.

“Everything you want as a coach, what you’ve worked on all week, how you want the team to play and then of course the quality of goals too.

“Louis getting four goals was a huge bonus and a reminder of what we’ve been missing.

“Overall, I’m delighted. We got a little nervous second half because they came on to us – credit to them they didn’t give it up at any stage.

“We talked about that before the game, even if we went 4-0 up they would roll up they’re sleeves and dug in.

“We had to go the distance but we did and I think we deserved it.”

The arrival of Ryan Bowman from Gateshead on deadline day has allowed the ‘Well boss to set up in his favoured 4-3-3 formation, and the new signings impact on the side is starting to show.

He said: “At home we can attack games like that, step on to teams and go 4-3-3, you have options and depth to the play and you can pass the ball.

[pullquote]At home we can attack games like that, step on to teams and go 4-3-3, you have options and depth to the play and you can pass the ball.[/pullquote]

“Away from home it’s maybe not quite the same – you have to be a little more guarded and you can’t be too open away from home, so it remains to be seen if we’ll go that way but it worked for us today and we’re grateful for that.”

Ultimately, it was Louis Moult who stole the headlines, after he scored four goals at Fir Park for the first time in 27 years, since Stevie Kirk back in 1989.

“I said that the Dundee and Ross County games, even the Rangers game, could have been different had we had Louis available” the manager said.

“It’s good to have him back, we didn’t expect him to score four, players don’t often do that, but it was great from him.

“He took the penalty as well and I felt that was right. He’d given the ball to Ryan, who won the penalty, but at the moment Louis is our designated penalty taker so as far as I’m concerned when he’s on the pitch he should be taking them.

“There’s also the situation that we were a wee bit under pressure and had Ryan missed it might have turned on Ryan and put the rest of us under pressure.”

Ultimately, the result was hugely important, but the manager feels that next week will be important to keep focussed.

He said: “It’s given us all confidence, I think that next week we start again.

“As shown in the second half they were as good as us, and Partick Thistle could be the same, so we’ve just got to roll our sleeves up and start again.”

[tab:Match report]

A historic quadruple from Louis Moult helped ‘Well to a 4-2 Lanarkshire Derby win over Hamilton Accies.

A hat-trick in 12 minutes put the game beyond visitors Hamilton, despite their attempts to come back in to the game with goals in either half.

From a commanding position the Fir Park side allowed Accies two decent spells, when Ali Crawford scored a couple of cracking goals and gave the home side a few anxious moments late on.

Overall, though, Motherwell’s play, especially in the first 35 minutes, earned them three points to stretch ahead of their county rivals.

It was last season’s prolific scorer Moult, eager to make up for lost time, alongside Ryan Bowman making his home debut, that proved to be a handful for the Accies rearguard from the kick-off.

The former Wrexham man had the ball in the net after six minutes nodding Chris Cadden’s cross firmly beyond Remi Matthews only to be flagged offside.

The ‘Well striker was not to be denied and two minutes later bagged the opening goal. Craig Samson banged the ball down the middle, Bowman climbed to nod it into the path of Moult who continued into the box before stabbing the ball past the advancing ‘keeper.

Accies on loan ‘keeper was then caught out as Richard Tait’s diagonal cross floated over his head to find Moult unmarked to nod the ball into the empty goal to make it 2-0.

Remarkably after only 21 minutes Hamilton found themselves three down. Cadden’s burst down the right ended with an accurate cross to Scott McDonald who fluffed his shot. And although Bowman did better forcing a block from Matthews, Moult made no mistake, lashing a half volley down the middle of the goal to complete an incredible hat-trick.

However, having been completely outplayed for half an hour Accies dragged themselves back into the game after 36 minutes when Ali Crawford curled a shot beyond Samson and in off the ‘keeper’s left hand post.

That lifted the visitors and five minutes from the break they could have narrowed the deficit to one goal when Crawford whipped a 22 yard free kick beyond the ‘Well wall and off the foot of the same post, only for Georgis Sarris to whack the rebound high and wide from four yards.

The Steelmen should have learned from that amazing let off but had to thank Samson for a solid save two minutes after the break to deny Eamonn Brophy.

That proved decisive as a couple of minutes later Darren Lyon tripped Bowman just inside the Accies box. And although the former Gateshead striker was given first option to take the resultant spot kick, he handed the ball to Moult who swept the penalty home and claimed his fourth goal of the game.

That signalled the end of the action for Moult who after an exhausting and memorable hour on his comeback was replaced by Lionel Ainsworth.

However, within five minutes the momentum of the game changed again as Ali Crawford hammered home a cut back from Rakish Bingham high past Samsom to renew Accies’ belief that the game was not over.

That was underlined when Samson produced a fabulous double save to prevent Bingham and then Longridge from reducing the leeway.

Minutes later as the home defence was put under some sustained pressure Bingham’s header was destined for the back of the net until Ben Heneghan popped up on the goal line to head clear.

While Accies chased the next goal, the surging runs and crosses from Cadden and Richard Tait on the right, should have produced a fifth goal which would have finally ended the visitor’s brave hopes of detracting from Moult’s and Motherwell’s overall performance.

[tab:As it happened]

 Lewis Irons at Fir Park

 FT | 4-2

Yet another thrilling Lanarkshire Derby. Mark McGhee’s side deservedly take all three points. Match report and reaction to follow

FULL TIME!!!!!

’90 | 4-2
2 minutes added on here at Fir Park

’89 | 4-2
Yet another booking, this time it’s Clay after a collision with Redmond

’87 | 4-2
Lasley now gets booked for a late tackle.

’80 | 4-2
Hamilton sub: Gillespie makes way for Kurtaj.

MATCH ATTAX | Young ‘Well fans can vote for their Man of the Match. Tweet your choice, name, age with #MatchAttaxMOTM now.

’80 | 4-2

Devlin picks up a yellow card for a foul in his own half.

’79 | 4-2
Crawford’s attempt from the resulting free-kick goes high over the bar.

’78 | 4-2
McManus goes in to the book for a foul on the edge of the ‘Well box.

’75 | 4-2
Dougie Imrie is a mile away from getting the ball and he hacks down Cadden, rightly being shown the yellow card by Collum

’73 | 4-2
Hamilton sub: MacKinnon is replaced by Redmond

’72 | 4-2
The ball falls kindly to Crawford on the edge of the area. The Accies goalscorer snatches at it and it’s well over the bar

’68 | 4-2
Bingham’s header is cleared off the line by Ben Heneghan. Brilliant defending from the big centre-back!

’66 | 4-2
Samson pulls off two great saves in quick succession to keep the Steelmen two goals ahead.

’63 | 4-2
Goal for Hamilton. Ali Crawford smashes past Samson from inside the box to pull one back for the visitors.

’60 | 4-1
Motherwell sub: Louis Moult leaves the field to an incredible response from the crowd inside Fir Park, Lionel Ainsworth is on.

’58 | 4-1
Brophy has a pop at goal but it soars well over the bar.

’55 | 4-1
He’s hungry today! Moult picks the ball up on the left, cuts in and puts his laces through it, but it’s just wide of the far post

’54 | 4-1
Gillespie goes in the book for a terrible late challenge on Moult.

’52 | 4-1
Hamilton sub – Lyon leaves the field for Bingham

’50 | 4-1
Lyon hacks down Bowman in the box, Moult steps up, sends the keeper the wrong way. 4 goals for the forward today!!!

Penalty to Motherwell!!!

’48 | 3-1
Hamilton work the ball in to the Motherwell box, but Brophy’s attempted cut-back is saved by Samson.

The ‘Well get the second half underway at Fir Park #COYW

Louis Moult fires home a 12-minute hat-trick to give the ‘Well a deserved 3-1 lead at half-time. What a game here at Fir Park! #MFCvHAFC

HT: Motherwell 3 – 1 Hamilton Accies #MFCvHAFC

’40 | 3-1
Crawford curls a freekick round the Motherwell wall – it crashes off the post and Sarris has a tap in but somehow he misses

’38 | 3-1
Sarris heads goalward from the corner, and it’s just wide of Samson’s left post.

’35 | 3-1
Goal. Hamilton pull one back, Ali Crawford curls a very neat finish into the far corner.

’26 | 3-0
Sarris rises up to head towards goal from the free-kick, but Samson remains untested.

’25 | 3-0
McDonald strikes the free-kick but it hits the top of the wall – Matthews is fouled in the box and Hamilton get the free-kick.

’23 | 3-0
It’s all Motherwell. Moult jinks past Sarris who sticks a leg out and brings the striker down just outside the box.

’20 | 3-0
Unbelievable stuff here – Moult has a 12 minute hat-trick! He volleys home with venom from inside the area. Welcome back Louis!

’17 | 2-0

Crawford has a great chance from eight yards, but his side footed effort sails over Samson’s goal.

’13 | 2-0
He’s at it again!!! Louis Moult gets on the end of Tait’s cross to head past Matthews who was stranded. 3 in 2 now for Moult!!!

GOOOOOAAAAALLL!!!!

’11 | 1-0
Cadden again delivers a good low cross from the right, Bowman rushes towards the front post but gets too much on it and it’s wide

’10 | 1-0
Moult looks to turn provider as he receives the ball from Cadden then whips in a good cross, but Matthews collects.

‘8 | 1-0

It’s Louis Moult with his second goal in two games, he latches on to a flick on and slots it under Matthews. #COYW

GGOOAALLL!

‘6 | 0-0
Fir Park erupts as Moult heads past Matthews, but the linesman flags for offside. Must have been tight!

‘4 | 0-0
Gillespie has an attempt from extremely far out, but it’s well off target.

‘2 | 0-0
Fast start from the ‘Well, Moult this time down the right crosses for McDonald, who tries the half volley but it’s over the bar

‘1 | 0-0
Straight away Cadden does well down the right, fires a low cross into the box but Matthews gathers.

The Lanarkshire derby is underway! Hamilton kick-off.

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:

“It’s remarkable really that for 35 minutes we produced football that you work towards, but then it all got nervous with Hamilton’s goal and it changed.

“Hamilton changed their shape, worked ever so hard, put us under pressure and could have got more than two.

“Moult’s saying he’s feeling better than he’s felt for years and he’s moving more freely. It’s great to have him back. We’ll see if he can get 20 goals by Christmas.

“Bragging rights is for the supporters but the three points is more important.”

Hamilton manager Martin Canning:

“The damage was done – it’s a difficult game to come back from three goals down. We didn’t compete well enough, it’s as simple as that.

“A derby game starts from minute one and we’ve got to go and compete yet we didn’t do that for the first 20 minutes. You’ve got to defend and play better than that.

“We had a wee slight change in shape and and from there on we were excellent. We had lots of opportunities and how we’ve only managed to score two goals in that game, I don’t know.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”283″]

The club’s pre-match ‘Signing Zone’ continues this week prior to the Hamilton Premiership fixture at Fir Park. 

And for the fans, it provides an opportunity to meet summer signing Luka Belic, who has arrived on a loan deal from West Ham, and defender David Ferguson.

So why not come to Fir Park a little earlier before tomorrow’s Lanarkshire derby, where both players will be in The Well Shop’s ‘Signing Zone’ from 12.45pm until 1.15pm, to meet fans, sign autographs and pose for selfies.

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.

Motherwell host Hamilton Academical in the first Lanarkshire derby of the 2016/17 season tomorrow.

The fixture comes at a time when the rivals next to one another in the Premiership table, with Accies in 9^th and the Steelmen in 8^th, joint on five points.

The derby clash is a big occasion for ‘Well fans and Hamilton supporters alike, but for Mark McGhee, Saturday’s fixture presents an opportunity for his side to spring into form following a number of new arrivals and the return of some key players from injury.

Speaking to the press yesterday, McGhee described Saturday’s clash as a measure for the season ahead.

He said: “This is our local derby and it’s hugely important to our supporters.

“It’s a game when suddenly there’s more supporters than the 4,000 that turn up here every Saturday and that’s because everybody in the local area is a

Motherwell or Hamilton supporter in some shape or form and of course there’s the traditional bragging rights to that.”

He added: “It’s a massive game and it’s also a game against a team who I would presume or expect to be at the same level as us.

“Therefore we’re going to be competing with Hamilton and teams like that around us in our mission to get in to the top six.

“It’s an opportunity for us to get a measure on how likely that is to pan out.

“If we can get one over Hamilton here at Fir Park, it puts us in a good frame of mind for the season ahead.”

The last time the Fir Parkers took on their rivals, a solitary strike from Louis Laing, who has recently moved to Notts County on loan, was enough to secure all three points for the ‘Well at New Douglas Park.

While it’s been a tough place for the Steelmen to visit in recent years, the story has been different at home, with a number of high scoring league games over the past few seasons, including a 4-0 home win for the Fir Parkers back in March 2015.

But as with most derbies, it can often be a tough one to call, with both sides notching impressive wins over the seasons.

Saturday’s fixture will be no different, with both sides hungry to add three points to the board.

Last seasons top scorer Louis Moult recovering from injury is a huge boost for manager Mark McGhee.

His return would be massively significant for any Motherwell fixture this season, let alone the all-important Lanarkshire derby.

Stepping off the bench last weekend and converting from the penalty spot to level proceedings at the Global Energy Stadium was the mark of the strikers hard work and determination to come back from an arduous injury spell.

This weekend’s big match could be Moult’s first start since returning to full fitness, making him the one to watch this week.

“It’s great to be back and to get a goal on my return” the forward said; “but ultimately I’m disappointed that we didn’t get the three points last weekend.

“I thought we did well on the whole and it actually became a bit more difficult for us when they went down to ten due to the way they had to alter their shape.”

Last Saturday was the end to Moult’s injury lay-off, and the Englishman admitted it was tough being out of action.

He said: “It was frustrating for me to have to sit on the side-lines, but in a way it came at a good time with the extra week given to us from the international break.

“It was important that we didn’t rush back and now I’ve managed to gain more fitness now because of that extra week.

“I’ve had two full weeks of training before the game tomorrow, so I like to think I’m ready and I know that I’m raring to go.”

The Englishman got a good taste of the Lanarkshire Derby last season and is glad he’s back for Saturday’s game.

He said: “I’m looking forward to it tomorrow, I’ve just come back to the team last week so I know I’m not guaranteed to start.”

“Having played in this fixture last season I know what the atmosphere is like. We managed to get a good result at their place and we should have won here as well but they managed to get a last-minute penalty, so it would be nice to go out there and get the win tomorrow.”

Hamilton Accies don’t need much of an introduction to ‘Well fans, with the Lanarkshire Derby a standout in the fixture list for both sets of supporters.

Since Hamilton’s promotion to the top flight in the 2008/09 season, the rivalry has intensified – with tomorrow’s visitors recording 35 wins in 120 league clashes.

For Martin Canning and assistant Guillaume Beuzelin, it’s their third trip to Fir Park since they took charge at Hamilton back in January 2015.

Their first visit ended with the Steelmen notching a 4-0 victory in front of a jubilant home support.

However, the next time the duo came to the home of the Steelmen, the outcome ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

The club and the current management team have been involved in some hugely positive results on their own patch though, with few ‘Well supporters needing a reminder of the 5-0 loss to today’s visitors back on New Year’s day 2015.

It’s been a mixed start to the season for tomorrow’s visitors, who currently occupy ninth spot in the table.

Three goals in the final 20 minutes saw Hamilton surrender a one-goal lead to lose 3-1 away to Hearts last week.

Ali Crawford, who converted Grant Gillespie’s driven cross to give Accies a lead at Tynecastle, is perhaps Hamilton’s biggest threat to the Fir Parkers tomorrow.

The season got off to an encouraging start for Accies, with a daunting trip to Ibrox the first fixture of the season for the club.

If it weren’t for Martyn Waghorn’s strike on the hour mark, Martin Canning’s side would have left Glasgow with all three points.

A draw was a hugely positive start to the campaign though, and with a few mixed results after that, the Accies now find themselves in ninth place – level on points with the Steelmen in eighth.

The club had a busy summer window, securing a number of signings including Georgios Sarris from the Turkish leagues and Danny Seabourne from Partick Thistle.

One of the big signings was the arrival of ex-AC Milan and Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati, who penned a one-year deal with the club.

The 35-year-old has made eight appearances for the Accies so far this season, scoring in the 3-0 League Cup clash with St Mirren.

The Italian defensive-midfielder, who arrived on a free, will shore up the Hamilton midfield this season and could prove to be a shrewd signing for tomorrow’s visitors.

The club will be hoping to have another successful season and maintain their Premiership status this term.

Good news Motherwell fans – Topps Match Attax all-new Scottish Premiership 2016-17 collection lands in shops today!

Well fans of all ages can get involved in this year’s collection, which features all-new card types and all your favourite Motherwell players.

Available now, Topps Match Attax, the world’s most successful football trading card game, offers fans of all ages a fun-filled addition to the new SPFL season. Featuring all of Scotland’s Premiership and Championship clubs, there are over 300 cards to collect including ‘star players’, ‘rising stars’, ‘top-rated man of the match’, ‘awesome penalty takers’ plus 100 club cards.

This year’s collection also boasts more limited edition cards than ever before, and a guaranteed shiny card in every pack!

“SPFL Match Attax is continuing to grow in popularity year on year, and our latest SPFL edition trading card game promises to be a huge hit with our collectors,” said Steve Conner, National Sales Manager at Topps.

“The new collection is bigger and better than before, with even more new cards to collect, giving fans the opportunity to play a fresh, new version of SPFL Match Attax.”

There are 336 cards to collect, including brand new ‘rising star’, ‘awesome penalty takers’ and ‘star players’ cards to enhance gameplay.

The SPFL Match Attax Starter Pack retails at £4.99 and includes a collector binder, A2 play pitch a game guide, and a six card packet containing an exclusive gold limited edition card. A packet of nine cards will be £1 for collectors.

There is also the SPFL Match Attax Collector’s Tin available, retailing at £5.99, with 45 cards including a bronze, silver or gold limited edition card, all packaged in a mini tin to keep collections safe and travel handy!

Get the latest news and updates by following @toppsmatchattax on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat!

The fifth issue of the Steelmen match day magazine is on sale ahead of Saturday’s Lanarkshire derby at Fir Park.

What can be found inside the 68-page programme?

The highly anticipated return to fitness of last season’s top scorer Louis Moult was marked with a goal last weekend. The Englishman is this week’s feature-interview, where he discusses his journey back from injury, the atmosphere during a derby match and his aims for the season ahead.

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

As part of the clubs aims to work closely with the Motherwell FC Community Trust and The ‘Well Society, the regular updates from Dawn Middleton at the Trust and Craig Hughes at the Society remain in the latest Steelmen programme.

This week’s main features include a look at opponents and rivals Hamilton and a continuation of last season’s A-Z piece, where we arrive on the letter W. Jock Wallace and Mickey Weir are included in the insightful piece by Andy Paterson.

Our match reports section looks back on the Fir Parkers long trip north to Dingwall, where McGhee’s side came away with a well-earned point.

An update on Stephen Craigan’s U20s side is included too, reporting on the youngster’s results against Aberdeen, Hibs and Dundee United.

Get all the latest from the Ticket Office as well as 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.