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  • Archive

    Humbling the Hoops: Part two

  • Archive

    Moult: Up to us now to do the job

  • Archive

    Important cup final information

  • Archive

    Players get a piece of club history

  • Archive

    Time for new heroes

  • Archive

    Manager: We won’t change our style

  • Archive

    Don’t miss our Black Friday deals

  • Archive

    McHugh: We’re not going for a day out

  • Archive

    Humbling the Hoops: Part one

  • Archive

    Betfred Cup final ticket latest

  • Archive

    Humbling the Hoops: Part two

    The sixties were something of a write off in terms of Motherwell successes over Celtic but then given that period coincided with Celtic becoming European Champions and commencing on a run of nine successive league wins, that perhaps was no great surprise.

    The seventies, however, provided a good deal more in the way of memorable outcomes.

    A John Goldthorp goal on 10th October 1973 broke the long win-less run in a 1-0 win at Parkhead in the League Cup, Motherwell’s first win at Celtic in twenty-three years and a first win over Celtic in all competitions in some fourteen years.

    Buoyed by that success, later in the campaign Motherwell recorded a 3-2 victory over the Hoops at Fir Park with Martin, Graham and that man Goldthorp once more on the score-sheet.

    Curiously, the 3-2 scoreline would become something of a familiar outcome.

    On 11 January 1975, ‘Well headed to Glasgow’s East End with the home side still holding aspirations of winning a tenth successive league title. Willie Pettigrew put Motherwell ahead in the 12th minute and the lead was doubled when strike partner Bobby Graham netted in the 20th minute.

    The hosts fought back and levelled through goals from Harry Hood either side of the break, however, Motherwell were not to be denied and Pettigrew grabbed what proved to be the winning goal in the 76th minute.

    Memorable though those particular 3-2 victories were, neither were quite the 3-2 win that ‘Well fans of a certain vintage think of when it comes to Motherwell v Celtic encounters in the seventies.

    It was on 24th January 1975 that Celtic travelled to Fir Park on Scottish Cup 3rd round duty. Having beaten Motherwell 3-1 at the same venue only a fortnight earlier, the Parkhead side were heavy favourites to progress to the fourth round.

    The visitors raced into a two goal first-half lead thanks to goals from Dalglish and Lynch and in truth Celtic could easily have the tie put to bed given the number of chances they had created in the opening forty-five minutes.

    The two goal deficit left Motherwell with a mountain to climb in the second half if they wished to continue their interest in the competition further and ‘Well manager Willie McLean threw caution to the wind somewhat in an effort to bring the Steelmen back into the tie.

    Bobby Graham’s diving header in the 51st minute gave ‘Well hope, before substitute Ian Taylor levelled the contest in the 61st minute from a free-kick. The sensational comeback was completed in the 70th minute when Willie Pettigrew raced away from the Celtic backline to fire home off a post to send the home support in the 25,000 crowd delirious.

    13th April 1977 saw close to 14,000 pitch up at Fir Park – the majority of them expecting to see Celtic secure the point they needed to lift the 1976/77 Premier League title. As might be expected, the Parkhead side peppered Ally Hunter’s goal but were unable to make their pressure tell.

    As they became increasingly nervous, the Steelmen capitalised and went ahead shortly before half-time through Ian Kennedy.

    The scoreline remained the same until the dying minutes by which time the title chasing visitors had abandoned their shape completely and were throwing everyone forward in desperately seeking the goal that would win them the league.

    But the Steelmen would make them wait!

    In a sensational last five minutes, Ian Kennedy saw his shot, which was heading wide, deflect off Andy Lynch and into the net to put ‘Well 2-0 up in the 85th minute. Amazingly, little more than 120 seconds later Lynch would net a second own goal as Joe Wark’s shot deflected off him and past Baines to make it three- nil to the Fir Parkers and dash Celtic’s hopes of winning the league in Lanarkshire.

    The Steelmen continued to be problematic opposition for Celtic until they lost their top flight status in 1979.

    On a visit to Celtic Park on 27th August, ‘Well shut out the home side to register a 1-0 win in front of 29,000 thanks to former Celtic midfielder Vic Davidson’s 80th minute goal.

    Having also held Celtic to a nil-nil draw in the League Cup, just four days after that league success ‘Well once again kept a clean sheet when they returned to Celtic Park for the second time that season on league business on January 2, 1978, and once more they would take both points following a narrow 1-0 victory. On this occasion Jim O’Rourke would be ‘Well’s match winner scoring in the 20th minute.

    Before the season was concluded ‘Well would register a third league win against Celtic, this time on March 22, 1978 at Fir Park where a second half double from Peter Marinello was enough to secure a 2-1 win in front of just under 10,000.

    Season 1978/79 proved to be a desperate campaign for Motherwell that ended in relegation, but highlights were still to be found in matches against Celtic as ‘Well continued their excellent run of form at Parkhead.

    On October 4, 1978 ‘Well won 1-0 in a hard-fought League Cup tie thanks to a second half Willie Pettigrew strike and repeated the feat a month later when they won 2-1.

    By this stage of the season, Motherwell were already rooted to the foot of the table and were manager-less following Roger Hynd’s resignation earlier in the week. Despite going behind early on to future Motherwell man Tom McAdam, Gregor Stevens equalised in the 39th minute before Stewart MacLaren grabbed an unlikely winner for the struggling Steelmen in 82nd minute.

  • Archive

    Moult: Up to us now to do the job

    Louis Moult says confidence is high in the Motherwell squad as they prepare to go into Sunday’s Betfred Cup final.

    The striker is in red-hot form ahead of the match, having netted 14 goals from just 19 appearances this season.

    Aberdeen and Rangers have both been defeated on the way to Hampden, with Moult netting in both, and the 25-year-old is hopeful more surprises can be sprung at the national stadium.

    “There’s a massive buzz around the place,” said the Englishman. “There has been all season.

    “There’s been a real sense that there’s something bubbling away in the background.

    “We’ve come a long way from last season. It’s up to us now to do the job.

    [pullquote]I think is a blessing in disguise that everyone wrote us off before the season even started. I think we’ve proved a lot of people wrong.[/pullquote]

    Moult netted his 50th goal in just 95 games when he scored a double at Aberdeen in the Steelmen’s last outing.

    Asked if he believed such a feat would have been possible when he first joined the club, he answered: “I backed myself. I really did. But to do it is another thing.

    “I think as a person, and as a striker, I’ve got to be confident. I always believe I’m going to score. When I signed for the club I believed I was going to score goals.

    “If someone was going to tell me it would happen like it has, that I would score 50 goals in 95 games, I would have laughed at you.

    “I’m excited but it’s just another game to me. I’ve got to treat it like any other, try to score and win the game. We can’t play the occasion.”

  • Archive

    Important cup final information

    Motherwell head to Hampden Park on Sunday for their first major final since 2011, hoping to end a wait of 26 years for a trophy in the Betfred Cup final against Celtic.

    Before the match, there are a number of important points those travelling to the national stadium should note before travelling, as well as information on our pre-match plans here at Fir Park

    Please note: there will be an additional, last minute sale of tickets at Fir Park on Sunday from 10am to 12pm.

    Pre-match entertainment

    We have our licence granted to trade from the kiosks on the lower level of the Cooper Stand on the day of the final.

    Kiosk seven will be open for the sale of alcohol, as will the Cooper Bar, at 11am. Food will available to purchase from kiosk eight.

    Face painters will also be in the Cooper concourse. Access can be gained by showing your Cooper bus ticket.

    Heading to Hampden

    Supporters are asked to keep the following areas the clear of parked cars: 

    • Dalziel Drive
    • Knowetop Avenue
    • Fir Park Street
    • Edward Street and Manse Road from the junction of Edward Street to Manse Road
    • Finlay Street (please note there is a hospital off Finlay Street that NHS personnel and visitors need to access)

    There will be no available parking in or around the stadium match day car parks. This is to facilitate the bus parking from Motherwell FC and Club 100. We would ask all supporters to plan where they can park outwith these streets.

    Official supporters buses

    Buses will leave from the Cooper end of the stadium at approximately 1pm.

    Supporters with a bus ticket will have a number on their ticket. This is the bus number you are travelling on.

    Alcohol is prohibited from the buses. It is a criminal offence to be in possession of alcohol on these buses and the vehicles will be searched by police.

    Making your own way

    PRE MATCH ROUTES FOR COACHES APPROACHING THE WEST OF THE STADIUM

    M8 Westbound: Exit the M8 at Junction 22 and join the M77. Leave the M77 at Junction 1, Dumbreck Road, turn left onto Dumbreck Road and continue until the junction with Titwood Road (high vehicles such as double deck buses – turn right, Haggs Road, turn left Shawmoss Road, turn right Titwood Road) continue Titwood Road. Turn right onto Minard Road continue onto Langside Avenue to the roundabout (Monument). Take the second exit at the roundabout onto Battlefield Road, continue on Battlefield Road to the first traffic light junction and bear right remaining on Battlefield Road to the ‘T’ junction with Cathcart Road. Turn left onto Cathcart Road and take the immediate right onto Letherby Drive, where your coach will be directed to park in the ‘blue car park’.

    A bus pass for the blue car park will be required for entry. Buses entering the car park must enter no later than 90 minutes prior to kick off hospitality vehicles entering the ‘blue car park’ must enter no later than 60 minutes prior to kick off.

    Those without a pass should utilise on street parking at Battlefield Road and Langside Road as directed by police motorcycles.

    If you are not travelling by coach, Police Scotland advise that supporters use public transport to get to the stadium, as parking is extremely limited. The Queens Park Recreation Ground on Queens Drive will not be available for use at this fixture.

    Fans travelling by private vehicle are advised to park on the west side of the stadium. 

    A car park pass will be required for entry to the Red, Yellow & Blue car parks. Those without a pass should utilise on street parking where available.

    Scotrail are putting on additional carriages and services both before and after the match. Mount Florida and Kings Park train stations are a short walk from the stadium.

    Arriving at Hampden

    Buses organised by the club will park in the blue car park and will drop off and collect from this point.

    All fans attending the Betfred Cup Final should note that enhanced search arrangements will be in place at this fixture.

    This additional safety measure has the potential to delay entry into the ground, so fans are strongly encouraged to get to the stadium as early as possible. Turnstiles will be open at 1.30pm.

    Motherwell supporters will be housed in South and West stands at the stadium. Tickets are not available at the ground and must be purchased in advance before 1pm on Saturday at Fir Park.

  • Archive

    Players get a piece of club history

    As the ‘Well look to add to their honours in the Betfred Cup final on Sunday, the playing squad had the chance to get their hands on a piece of club history this week.

    A winner’s medal from the team’s only top flight title success in 1931/32 has been loaned to Motherwell by a collector.

    The medal once belonged to John McMenemy, who joined the club from Celtic in 1928.

    The Steelmen won the Scottish League Division One in 1931/32, finishing five points ahead of Rangers.

    The championship win was the first outside of Celtic and Rangers since Third Lanark had won the title back in 1904. It was to be the only time that the title was to be wrested from the big two in the years between the wars.

    The medal will soon be placed on display at Fir Park so Motherwell fans of all ages can get a glimpse of a real piece of Steelmen history.

  • Archive

    Time for new heroes

    Motherwell take to the pitch at Hampden on Sunday looking to end a 26-year wait for a major trophy.

    The Scottish Cup winning team of 1991 are club legends. Maxwell, Nijholt, McCart, Paterson, Boyd, Angus, Griffin, O’Donnell, Cooper, Ferguson, Arnott, O’Neill and Kirk will forever be heroes in the minds of every ‘Well fan.

    Now it is time for new heroes to join them. The squad of 2017 have a shot against Celtic to write themselves into history and win the Scottish League Cup for the first time since 1950.

    To inspire you all ahead of the Betfred Cup final, we’ve put together this video about our town, our club and our team.

  • Archive

    Manager: We won’t change our style

    Motherwell have had success this season sticking to their own style of play, and manager Stephen Robinson says they won’t change it as the team bid to end their 26-year trophy wait against Celtic.

    The Steelmen have won 14 of their 20 competitive matches this season, topping Aberdeen and Rangers on the way to Sunday’s Betfred Cup final.

    Opponents Celtic are on a 64-game unbeaten run in domestic fixtures but the Fir Park boss says there’s no point trying to change the team’s philosophy to match their opponents.

    “If we try to play Celtic at their own game and try to outpass them and outplay them then we’ll get beaten,” he said. “Simple as that.

    [pullquote]We have to find a way that suits our personnel and our players and our budget. That’s what we’ve done and we’ve been pretty successful so far at it.[/pullquote]

    “We’re not going to change that on Sunday. We believe every team have weaknesses so how we play, our strengths and how we set up can cause them problems.

    “We’ve been relatively successful with what we’ve done. We’ve tinkered and twigged at systems and shapes, and different personnel.

    “We’re going to play our way and try to impose our way of playing on them.

    “Celtic have proved over numerous games now that when they impose their game they win football matches so we have try to disrupt that and interrupt their pattern of play.”

  • Archive

    Don’t miss our Black Friday deals

    It’s Black Friday and we’ve cut the cost of some of our most popular items in our shop.

    We’ve extended our deals until Monday and you can choose from:

    • Cooper Bricks down from £55 to £27.50
    • Tunnel Tiles down from £25 to £12.50
    • Our Christmas Party Nights down from £35 per person to £30
    • Hospitality at our next game with Ross County available for £40 for season ticket holders and £5 for kids.

    Head to motherwellbuyonline.co.uk to buy or call us on 01698 333333

  • Archive

    McHugh: We’re not going for a day out

    Motherwell have already seen off Ross County, Aberdeen and Rangers, amongst others, along the way to reach the Betfred Cup final.

    And having won all seven of their fixtures in the competition to date, ‘Well captain Carl McHugh says the team won’t be heading back to Hampden Park just to enjoy the occasion against Celtic on Sunday.

    “We’re not going there for a day out or to make up the numbers, we’ve worked really hard to get to this stage,” said McHugh.

    “We’ve played a lot of games in the cup going back to the group stage games in July. We’ve come through tough quarter-finals, semi-finals and even up at Ross County in the round before that.

    “We don’t want to go there to have a day out, we want to win the cup.”

    [pullquote]There’s been a complete change in the mindset this year to last season. The gaffer has to take the credit for that with the players he’s brought in and the mindset in general.[/pullquote]

    “Last year we would have been delighted to go to Aberdeen and get a point but this year we went on Saturday and fully expected to win the game.

    “That’s a shift in the mindset and I think you’ve seen that in the results and performances.”

  • Archive

    Humbling the Hoops: Part one

    It may have taken fifteen attempts and eight seasons for Motherwell to register their first ever victory over Celtic. But since that fateful day on 4th February 1911, when a double from Brand helped secure a 2-1 win for the Fir Parkers, Motherwell sides of old have produced more than enough results to inspire the current incumbents of that claret and amber jersey when they take on Celtic at Hampden Park on Sunday.

    Between 1904/05 and 1947/48 only three teams were Scottish Champions. Celtic, Rangers and of course Motherwell who won the title in season 1931/32. Around the mid-1920’s something of a golden era in the club’s history began which saw the Steelmen become perennial title challengers and regularly make it towards the latter stages of the Scottish Cup. To do so the Motherwell sides of the day required to hold their own against Celtic and this they began to do with increasing regularity.

    Of course there were some defeats along the way, and one or two heavy losses at that, but none before or since has replicated the severity of the thrashing that Motherwell inflicted upon the Hoops on 30th April 1937 when Celtic were humiliated 8-0 at the hands of the Steelmen.

    It was a particularly momentous afternoon for Alexander Stewart, Motherwell’s centre-forward, who netted no fewer than six times against the beleaguered Glasgow side.

    Ogilvie put Motherwell ahead in the 9th minute and turned provider four minutes later when Stevenston put ‘Well two goals to the good. Stewart netted his first of the afternoon on 21 minutes with Ogilvie once more the architect.

    Just six minutes later the Steelmen went 4-0 ahead when Stewart netted his second of the game. Already effectively playing with a man down through an injury to Morrison, Celtic’s woes were compounded when Kennaway, who had thus far performed heroics between the posts in keeping the scoreline to four, had to retire injured.

    It was almost midway through the second half before ‘Well struck again with Stewart getting his hat-trick in the 64th minute. Now smelling blood the striker struck again just two minutes later to make it 6-0 to the Fir Parkers.

    In the 78th minute Stewart made it 7-0 before completing the scoring and grabbing his second hat-trick of the day with seven minutes remaining.

    It is a result that remains Celtic’s record defeat to this very day!

    Whilst not quite matching that incredible eight goal tally another high scoring Motherwell victory at Celtic Park in 1950 proved arguably even more significant.

    Having topped a League Cup section that included Hearts, Airdrie and Partick Thistle the Steelmen were paired with Celtic in a two-legged Quarter Final tie; with the first of the two matches taking place at Parkhead on 16th September 1950.

    The home side took an early lead through McPhail in the 2nd minute but their lead lasted just six minutes before ‘Well levelled through Watson.

    A 38th minute own goal from Haughney gave Motherwell the lead at half-time and following the interval the Fir Parkers pressed home their advantage scoring in the 50th and 60th minutes through Forrest and Hunter all but securing their place in the Semi Finals and leaving the bulk of the 50,000 crowd stunned.

    When the sides reconvened in Lanarkshire four days later the visitors made several changes as they attempted to find a way back into the tie. It was McPhail again opened the scoring but this time there would be no further goals beyond his 24th minute opener and a crowd of 29,000 would witness Motherwell go through 4-2 on aggregate.

    Little more than four weeks on and Andy Paton would be holding the League Cup trophy aloft at Hampden Park with the Steelmen having seen off Hibernian 3-0 in the Final front of 64,000 spectators.

  • Archive

    Betfred Cup final ticket latest

    Limited tickets are still available for Motherwell’s Betfred Cup final with Celtic on Sunday, November 26.

    Fans are encouraged to buy as soon as possible. Tickets can be purchased in person at the ticket office between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. We have extended our normal Friday opening time until 5pm this week. The ticket office will also be open 10am-1pm on Saturday.

    You can also buy over the phone by calling 01698 333333. Please note telephone bookings will not be taken on Saturday.

    Tickets must be collected in person by the close of business on Saturday.

    West Stand tickets are available at £30 for adults and £15 for concessions. South Stand tickets are available for £35. No concessions are available for this stand at the decision of the SPFL.

    Pre-match entertainment

    We’re pleased to advise we now have our licence granted to trade from the kiosks on the lower level of the Cooper Stand on the day of the final.

    The kiosks will open for the sale of alcohol, as will the Cooper Bar, at 11am. Food will available to purchase from both.

    Face painters will also be in the Cooper Bar and lower levels. Access can be gained by showing your Cooper bus ticket.

    Buses will leave from the Cooper end of the stadium at approximately 1pm. Kick off at Hampden is at 3pm.

    All fans attending the Betfred Cup Final should note that enhanced search arrangements will be in place at this fixture.

    This additional safety measure has the potential to delay entry into the ground, so fans are strongly encouraged to get to the stadium as early as possible. Turnstiles will be open at 1.30pm.