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Tickets are now on sale for our 2017/18 Player of the Year awards dinner.

This year’s event will take place on Saturday, April 7 at the Alona Hotel in Strathclyde Park.

The first team squad and management team will be in attendance as we celebrate the campaign’s top performers and reflect on the memorable moments of the season.

Included in the price of the ticket is a three-course meal, entertainment from our headline act Weekend Debt, and then the awards ceremony itself.

Tickets are priced at £50 for adults and £20 for children. To book, buy online from our shop or call 01698 333333.

Motherwell got back to winning ways with a comfortable win over Hamilton Academical in the fourth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

Nadir Çiftçi, Craig Tanner and Steven Hammell gave their thoughts after the match.

Craig Tanner: “I feel like we owed that to the fans. We had a little dip before the winter break.

“The performance, particularly in the opening 10 minutes, showed the intent. We did it for the fans.”

Nadir Çiftçi: “Hopefully we made them [the fans] proud and made them happy.

“We are happy to be in the next round. It was a great performance from the boys.”

Steven Hammell: “I don’t know if that will be my last game here but, if it is, I just want the fans to know ‘thanks’.

“I just wanted to make sure I let them know what I think of them and the reception they gave me was brilliant.”

Stephen Robinson was delighted to see his side get back to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Hamilton Accies.

The Northern Irishman’s recuperated side controlled their fourth round Scottish Cup encounter in the first fixture of the year.

In particular, the manager praised his team’s efficiency – admitting they were back to doing what they’re good at.

[pullquote]We got back to what we’re very good at, we were physical and we were aggressive. We got balls into the box and we had quality up top.[/pullquote]

“We needed the rest, we needed it to recuperate and to recharge our batteries,” the ‘Well boss admitted, “but I thought the performance today was very comprehensive.

“I thought we were efficient and did the simple things really well. We got back to what we’re very good at, we were physical and we were aggressive. We got balls into the box and we had quality up top.”

He added: “Nadir will get better and fitter with every game, Curtis is a big handful and we haven’t seen the best of him yet and Craig Tanner is coming to the fore too.”

[tab:Match report]

Lewis Irons at Fir Park

Motherwell ended their losing run with a convincing 2-0 win over local rivals Hamilton Accies.

A bizarre Scott McMann own-goal gave Stephen Robinson’s side a perfect start to their Scottish Cup campaign, before Craig Tanner coolly converted from the penalty spot to send the Fir Parker side through to the fifth round.

There were three new faces in claret and amber as Curtis Main, Nadir Çiftçi and Tom Aldred made their debuts in the opening game of 2018.

And things got off to the perfect start when Scott McMann’s back-pass evaded goalkeeper Gary Woods and rolled in to the net after just four minutes.

Aldred nearly marked his debut with a goal when the ball broke to the centre-back from a corner, but the defender’s effort on the spin flashed wide of the mark.

Two minutes later, Tanner was bundled to the deck in the Accies box and it seemed a certain penalty, but Craig Thomson waved play on despite protests around the ground.

Curtis nearly became the main man of the afternoon when Allan Campbell’s surging run and neat through ball picked out ‘Well’s new number nine, but his prodded effort flew narrowly over Woods’ crossbar.

Ten minutes before the break though, Tanner doubled the hosts advantage with a well-taken penalty.

But it was the build-up that made it, with a glorious Çiftçi flick freeing Main in the box. The striker was tripped and Thomson pointed straight to the spot, before Tanner sent Woods the wrong way to bag his seventh goal of the season.

Aldred’s impressive start to life in Lanark was marred slightly when the defender pulled up with injury in the 37^th minute. Robinson took no risks and replaced the new recruit with the soon-to-retire Stevie Hammell.

Just minutes in to the second half, Charles Dunne produced a crucial block to deny Accies a route back in to the game – but the home side quickly regained focus.

Cédric Kipré nodded Tait’s clever cross inches over the bar, before skipper Carl McHugh nearly produced a stunning goal with a half-volley from the edge of the area which was narrowly wide.

Çiftçi couldn’t bag his first Motherwell goal before being replaced by Gaël Bigirimana in the 66^th minute, but his curled effort minutes before tested keeper Woods, who produced a good stop.

Main made way for Alex Fisher in the 78^th minute of the match, and a minute later McHugh crashed a header against the bar from Tanner’s delivery, before sending an audacious over-head kick wide of the mark – which would have sent the home crowd wild had it found the top corner.

Fisher nearly found the back of the net to wrap up a fine afternoon for the Steelmen but his effort from Tanner’s neat cut-back was straight at Woods.

[tab:As it happened]

 Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

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Motherwell return to action on Saturday after the winter break, with Hamilton visiting Fir Park for the second time in quick succession.

The Accies triumphed in the Lanarshire derby between the two sides in December. But the Steelmen go into the Scottish Cup fourth round tie refreshed after an intensive training camp in Tenerife and with new faces on board.

Manager Stephen Robinson is targeting another cup run, after the experience of the Betfred Cup final in the first half of the campaign.

[pullquote]We aim to go on another cup run, and you need to go out and beat teams like Hamilton if you expect to get there.[/pullquote]

“Our cup run raised the players profiles and it raised the club’s profile and what that does is it helps you attract footballers.

“When we’re going and speaking to Nadir, Curtis and Tom, we can say that we’ve just been in a cup final and that we’ve been in the top six for the vast majority of the season.”

Potentially making his debut for the ‘Well in the match is January loan signing Nadir Ciftci.

The forward has endured a difficult last few years but believes he can again hit the heights he did at Dundee United several years ago.

“I have the same sort of happiness as I did at Dundee United and hopefully I can recreate that form here at Fir Park as well,” the 25-year-old said.

“I’ll do my best to get back to that sort of form. It was the most enjoyable time of my career so far but I can feel the enjoyment here already.

[pullquote]There is the same kind of feeling here, I have the same sort of happiness as I did at Dundee United and hopefully I can recreate that form here at Fir Park as well.”[/pullquote]

The Steelmen will be missing Elliott Frear through injury, whilst Peter Hartley is suspended.

	Motherwell v Hamilton Academical
	Saturday January 20, 2018
	3.00pm
	Fir Park
	Tickets on sale from the Fir Park Ticket Office or pay at the gate.

Admission prices are as follows:

• Concessions are applicable to 60 and over and full time students with a valid matriculation card.
• Juveniles are applicable to aged 15 and under.

If you can’t make it on Saturday, don’t miss the action by tuning in to mixlr.com/motherwellfc for live commentary or follow the match on Twitter @MotherwellFC

You can see the match highlights on MFC TV’s YouTube channel, as well as full reaction and a match report right here on the official website.

The Cooper Bar is open for both sets of supporters to enjoy pre-match food and drink from 11am. Children are welcome.

Peter Hartley and Steven Hammell will also be in the bar from 12.45pm in the Signing Zone. Come along and get your photograph taken and get an autograph.

Motherwell Football Club can today confirm Jack McMillan has left the club to join Livingston.

McMillan, a product of the club’s youth academy, broke into the first team squad back in early 2016/17.

But he has failed to nail down a regular first team berth and currently finds himself down the pecking order for a place in the starting 11.

The 20-year-old right back had been on loan at the Tony Macaroni Arena this term and boss David Hopkin indicated his desire to make the more permanent.

Although his contract at ‘Well had one more year to run, with regular first-team football looking unlikely, the club has allowed the player to switch to the Championship club to continue his career development. Motherwell have protected their interests with a sizable sell-on clause.

McMillan leaves having made 16 appearances in claret and amber, 10 of them as a starter.

“Jack is a great kid and we didn’t want to hold him back from making a career from the game,” ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson said of the departure.

“With Richard Tait, Liam Grimshaw and Chris Cadden all pushing for a spot on the right, it made life for Jack that more difficult.

“However, this move will allow him to continue to develop himself and at the same time protects the club should he do well. We wish him every success at his hometown club.’

McMillan added: “I obviously leave Motherwell with a bit of a heavy heart, having came through the system there.

“However, I also want to thank the club and the manager for their honesty and allowing me to go and progress my career in the game.

“We’ve left each other on good terms and I wish everyone at Fir Park all the very best for the future. For my part, I am excited about the challenges that lie ahead.”

Everyone at Motherwell Football Club would like to thank Jack for his contribution whilst at Fir Park and wish him every success in his future career.

Stephen Robinson hopes his side’s recent run to Hampden can inspire similar success in the Scottish Cup.

The Steelmen face local rivals Hamilton Academical in the fourth round on Saturday in the first game of 2018, and for the second derby clash in just three weeks.

Following the memorable run to the Betfred Cup final, Robinson is optimistic and hungry to lead his players to further success in cup football.

[pullquote]We aim to go on another cup run, and you need to go out and beat teams like Hamilton if you expect to get there.[/pullquote]

“Our cup run raised the players profiles and it raised the club’s profile and what that does is it helps you attract footballers.

“When we’re going and speaking to Nadir, Curtis and Tom, we can say that we’ve just been in a cup final and that we’ve been in the top six for the vast majority of the season.”

He’s only been at Motherwell for less than a fortnight but Nadir Çiftçi already feels at home.

The centre forward arrived this month from Celtic on loan, as he looks to recapture the form that earned him the move to Glasgow from Dundee United.

As he prepares to face Hamilton Academcial this weekend, Çiftçi believes he’s in the right place to do exactly that.

“I have the same sort of happiness as I did at Dundee United and hopefully I can recreate that form here at Fir Park as well,” the 25-year-old said.

“I’ll do my best to get back to that sort of form. It was the most enjoyable time of my career so far but I can feel the enjoyment here already.

[pullquote]There is the same kind of feeling here, I have the same sort of happiness as I did at Dundee United and hopefully I can recreate that form here at Fir Park as well.”[/pullquote]

Çiftçi spent the first half of the season on loan at Plymouth Argyle and, having found game time difficult to come by, jumped at the chance to return to Scotland.

“Football is not just going out there on a Saturday and playing the game, it’s much more than that,” he added.

“Things off the park, in the dressing room and around the club all play a part and I feel at home here.”

David Clarkson is returning to Motherwell Football Club as the new head of the intermediate academy.

The 32-year-old is retiring as a professional footballer to take up the role, having left St Mirren earlier in January.

Clarkson will report to Stevie Hammell, who took up the post of academy director after the departure of Scott Leitch.

“I’m really excited,” he said on his return. “I’ve been coaching for the last two years now in the academy with the under 15s.

“It’s good now to take that wee step up and oversee the 13s to 16s, and work with Stevie Hammell.

[pullquote]I hope to pass on experiences I’ve had coming through as a young kid, and playing at Motherwell as well.”[/pullquote]

Clarkson started his football career at Motherwell, breaking into the first team in December 2002. After three substitute appearances, he scored within nine minutes of his first start against Partick Thistle in January 2003.

After seven years with the club, he moved on to Bristol City, playing with them for three years before a switch to city rivals Bristol Rovers.

He returned north in 2014 with Dundee, hitting the headlines after scoring eight goals in eight games. A short spell back at Motherwell followed, before his move to St Mirren.

Clarkson also scored on his Scotland debut while he was a Motherwell player in 2008, netting in the away friendly against Czech Republic.

“It’s great to have David back at the club,” said academy director Hammell.

“When the position became available, it was an easy decision to make, especially given his experience with the academy so far.”

Are you a male and aged between 35 and 65 years old? Is your waist size at least 38 inches? Do you want to lose weight, have a healthier lifestyle and ultimately be fitter?

Our 13-week Football Fans In Training programme can help you do this for free. You’ll get a behind the scenes look at your club, be trained by selected club coaches, have a nosy at the trophy cabinet and have the chance to talk tactics in the dressing room. Who knows, maybe you’ll even bump into a player or two.

So what are you waiting for? Our new intake will start on Monday, January 29 in the Davie Cooper Stand boxes at 6pm and will take place every Monday for 13 weeks thereafter.

The main aims of the programme are to:

• Increase knowledge of diet & nutrition
• Improve lifestyle choices
• Increase physical activity amongst participants
• Reduce weight and waist measurements
• Increase engagement in other physical activity

Over the course of the 13-week programme, participants will partake in a range of interactive classroom sessions to help make better lifestyle choices. They will also find out ways in which they can become more physically active, as well as setting targets and goals to increase their daily step counts.

“Football Fans in Training is an excellent example of how an innovative approach can engage a group of people who normally find it difficult to engage in mainstream health services,” David Caesar, the national clinical advisor to Scotland’s chief medical officer said of the programme.

“Thinking outside of the box, as this project does, allows for the delivery of effective health interventions that have a hugely positive impact on those who take part.

“Small but significant lifestyle changes set against the backdrop of professional football environments has proved a winning combination and a shining example”.

To register your interest please email graeme.mcarthur@motherwellfc.co.uk or call the Community Trust on 01698 239926. We just need to know your name, date of birth and waist measurement.