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  • First team

    Frear fit and fresh for cup task

  • First team

    Preview: Motherwell v Hearts

  • First team

    Cadden: Cup final pain can inspire us

  • First team

    Vote for your player of the year

  • First team

    Dallas to officiate quarter final

  • First team

    Scottish Cup ticket information

  • First team

    Motherwell v Aberdeen postponed

  • First team

    Carl McHugh: Big week ahead

  • First team

    Robinson: Enjoying everyday challenges

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    U20s highlights as ‘Well beat Accies

  • First team

    Frear fit and fresh for cup task

    For Elliott Frear, sitting on the sidelines isn’t something he’s used to.

    But in the last few months, Motherwell’s tricky winger has experienced muscle injuries which have kept him out of action for prolonged periods.

    In his 27 years he’s never experienced this, and he’s desperate to shake off the shackles.

    “This is the first time in my career I’ve been really tested with injuries, so it’s been tough,” Frear said. “I’m just trying my best to get back fit without breaking down my hamstrings or anything like that, so it’s crucial to not rush things too much.

    “I’ve been working hard with the physios and the fitness coach to make sure that when I do get fit I don’t stand the chance of getting injured again. The staff here are excellent, so that has been a huge part in me getting back to where I am now – on the brink of full fitness again.”

    Motherwell’s number 11 is a true out-and-out winger. Bursting down the left flank, the Englishman is one of the Steelmen’s biggest threats when it comes to putting crosses in to the box.

    So getting him fully fit again only adds another bow to Stephen Robinson’s armoury. Another option in attack.

    And it all looked set to be a season to remember for Frear when he casts his mind back to pre-season.

    “It’s a strange one to be honest because pre-season was probably the best I’ve ever had in my career,” he said. “I was delighted with how I was playing and how I felt.

    “Then when the season started I felt even better and I felt I was playing really well in the Betfred Cup and in the opener against Rangers too.

    “But then I pulled my first muscle in 27 years.”

    Dejected, frustrated and in unfamiliar territory: the treatment table.

    It left Frear in a situation we wasn’t sure how to deal with, and things only got worse.

    “It’s just one of these things, I thought, I’ll recover and I’ll be fine. When I came back in to the team things were good again, I scored at Parkhead after coming off the bench but unfortunately we lost.

    “In the back of my mind I felt like things would be good and it was something to take away from that game at least.

    “But I got injured again, then I picked up a concussion, it was horrendous but I had to remind myself things like that are part of football.”

    But they weren’t part of football for Elliott. Not to this extent.

    And it wasn’t just the winger who had to deal with the frustrations and difficulties of injury.

    “The manager was frustrated when I first got injured and was even more frustrated when I kept getting injured.

    “For me, it made me even more desperate to get back. I know what I’m doing when the gaffer puts me in the team, I know what he wants and expects from me so I want to be available, all the time.”

    “To be honest I’m finding out more about my body now. When I was younger I didn’t know how my body would react to certain things. If I was ever on the brink of pulling a muscle, I wouldn’t know how to deal with it.

    “Now I do, and that comes with experience with injuries. I always try to take the positives out of things, so maybe the positive from this is that I now know my body better, and that can only help me for the rest of the season and in to next.”

    But for the here and now, things are looking good for the smiling, cheery Steelman.

    “Luckily, I’m back to enjoying myself again and I feel good. Now I just need to push myself to try and get back in to the team.”

    That all starts on Sunday, as ‘Well host Hearts in the quarter final of the Scottish Cup.

    “We’ve been here before,” the winger reflected. “We know what it takes to go out there and get a result and I’m sure the gaffer will have a plan for us to execute today to make sure we have the best chance of a result as possible.

    “But even beyond this game, we have a crucial spell coming up. Our top six hopes are still alive, we have lots of games in a short space of time and the manager will need to be able to call on all of us and rely on the depth we have to navigate this busy spell.”

    As the scorer of the goal that practically guaranteed Motherwell’s top flight status last season, Frear is hungry to end the season in the same sort of form he did last.

    “Scoring that goal and the celebrations after that game were special moments to remember, for me and my family and for everyone involved with the club.

    “It may have been the best moment for me personally in football because the weight of the threat of relegation was huge. To feel that lift and to score that goal was an unbelievable feeling.”

    As he eyes a return to action, and as he discusses the hope of staying injury free, it is plain to see that Elliott Frear loves being a Motherwell player.

    “When I first moved up here it was the furthest move I’d ever made. My wife couldn’t move up straight away so we were apart for a while and that side of it was difficult.

    “Now, I don’t want to leave.”

    And with injury worries behind him and his eyes fully focused on making big strides forward following a frustrating few months, the future is looking bright.

  • First team

    Preview: Motherwell v Hearts

    Motherwell face Hearts in the William Hill Scottish Cup in their second quarter final of the season. 

    Having finished runners up in the Betfred Cup final in November, ‘Well have the chance to return to Hampden but must first take on Craig Levein’s Heart of Midlothian in the last eight.

    Stephen Robinson’s side head in to the fixture on the back of a 1-0 win against Dundee, having seen Wednesday’s clash with Aberdeen postponed due to the severe weather conditions sweeping across the nation.

    But with competitive football set to return to Fir Park on Sunday, ‘Well face the task of overcoming a difficult Hearts side to try and book a place in the semi finals.

    And manager Stephen Robinson believes the community feel around Fir Park is crucial as the club prepare for their quarter final clash.

    Having been bombarded with snow this week, the challenge to ensure Sunday’s fixture goes ahead is being tackled by staff and volunteers around the stadium.

    And the smiling ‘Well boss admitted it shows a lot of the qualities that make Motherwell tick.

    ”It says a lot about the football club,” the Northern Irishman said. “There’s volunteers out there helping out to ensure the boys can get on the pitch on Sunday.

    “It’s something we greatly appreciate at the club, and when we see the girls from the office out using shovels too it shows what we’ve got here.

    “What we have is a great group of people who are all working as hard as they can to make Motherwell Football Club a success.”

    Robinson will remain without the services of Peter Hartley, who is out through injury for some time, whilst Liam Grimshaw and Deimantas Petravicius are doubts for the clash.

    But striker Curtis Main, who has heard all the stories of Motherwell’s run to the Betfred Cup final earlier this season, will be available.

    Now, with a tilt at a second cup run on the cards, the January recruit is targeting some memories of his own.

    Hearts stand in the way of a fourth visit of the season to Hampden Park, this time in the William Hill Scottish Cup, and the Englishman has faith his side can take another step towards the dream of making some new heroes.

    “We are definitely looking to do the same thing again,” he said.

    “It’s still fresh in the boys’ minds. Everybody remembers it well and hopefully we can go on and do it again.”

    Every step has been taken to ensure the game can go ahead as planned. Any relevant announcements will be made on our social media platforms, or right here on our website.

    Motherwell v Hearts

    Sunday March 4, 2018
    2.15pm
    Fir Park
    Tickets available on the gate.

    Admission prices are as follows:

    ADULTS £18
    CONCESSIONS £12
    JUVENILES £8
    FAMILY (1 ADULT + 2 JUNIOR) £30

    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 along, you can follow the match on Twitter @MotherwellFC. We apologise that there will be no audio commentary available. This is at the request of the Scottish FA

    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.

  • First team

    Cadden: Cup final pain can inspire us

    To have reached 100 games in claret and amber by the age of just 21 is remarkable.

    But for Chris Cadden, who is set to make his 103rd appearance for the ‘Well in Sunday’s Scottish Cup clash with Hearts, every game continues to teach him more and more.

    “In every game I learn new things,” he said. “To have reached a major final at a young age is something I consider to be an achievement, but I don’t want it to be the last one I get to this season, never mind my career.

    “It just whets my appetite for another final to be honest and I think we’re all in good shape and well prepared for Sunday.

    [pullquote]I think we can use the experiences of that final to help give us that extra push on Sunday and hopefully get us back to the national stadium.”[/pullquote]

    The Steelmen face Hearts in the last eight, having progressed past Hamilton Academical and Dundee before being drawn against Craig Levein’s Jambos.

    Stephen Robinson’s men haven’t conceded a goal in the tournament yet, and head in to Sunday afternoon’s clash with winning momentum behind them.

    “Hearts will be a tough, tough test for us,” the Motherwell youth academy graduate added. “If we stand a chance of getting back to Hampden, we’ll need to be at our best.

    “But we’re all confident of that, and we can take a lot from the trips to Hampden we’ve already had this season.”

    The driven, hungry Scot reflects on November’s Betfred Cup final with as much positivity as he can, and hopes it can shape him and his teammates for better success in the Scottish Cup.

    “If we can get a step closer to another final on Sunday, it will be amazing for the club and something we can all be proud of.

    “We can all learn from it, and I think we have. If we can put in the sort of performance we know we’re capable of on Sunday, you never know, maybe we can go that all-important one step further.”

    The Steelmen have had their fair share of hurdles to manoeuvre this week, with heavy snowfall disrupting Wednesday’s game with Aberdeen as well as the club’s training schedule.

    “It’s been frustrating,” confessed Motherwell’s number seven. “And to be honest, getting snowed in is boring too.

    “All the boys have been chatting to each other and we’re just desperate to be preparing as best we can for the quarter final.

    “The fact the weather led to our game against Aberdeen being postponed was annoying because we’d prepared well and were all desperate to follow up on our win against Dundee.

    “Since we’ve come back from the break we’ve just been desperate to play every week, and we’re playing well and picking up some big results.

    “Dundee wasn’t the best performance by any means but sometimes those wins are the sweeter ones.”

    And with wins like that under their belt, Cadden says that the lads have been buoyed by Saturday’s victory.

    “When you come away with a win like that, I don’t think you can underestimate what it can do for us as a group.

    “We’re all on top form, we’re all confident and, despite the weather trying it’s best to distract us, we’re all fully focussed on going out on to the pitch at Fir Park on Sunday and sending this club back to Hampden.”

  • First team

    Vote for your player of the year

    It’s time for you to vote for who you think should win in this year’s player of the year awards.

    Our award ceremony takes place this year on April 7 at the Alona Hotel in Strathclyde Park. If you’ve still not got your tickets, the last remaining few are still available. They cost £50 for adults and £20 for under 12s. Phone 01698 333333 or email events@motherwellfc.co.uk to book.

    The top prize on offer is in the vote for your player of the year.

    In conjunction with Motorpoint, you can cast your vote online. Click here to choose your Motherwell FC player of the year.

    Voting closes on Monday, April 2.

    Plus, as a way of saying thank you, Motorpoint is giving one lucky fan the chance to join them on their table at the event. Not only will you get to join in the atmosphere but you will also walk away with £250 worth of Love2Shop vouchers on the night as an added bonus.


    Supporters can also vote online now for their young player of the year.

    Our shortlist for this year’s award, in conjunction with Topps Match Attax, is:

    • Chris Cadden
    • Allan Campbell
    • Russell Griffiths
    • Cédric Kipré
    • George Newell
    • Deimantas Petravičius
    • David Turnbull

    To vote for your Motherwell FC young player of the year for 2017/18, click here.


    There will be many other awards given out on the night at the Alona Hotel.

    The Motherwell squad will again vote for their players’ player of the year, sponsored this year by Flooring Republic.

    Well Society members will also get the chance soon to vote for their Well Society player of the year. Details will be announced shortly.

    There will also be a special recognition award given out this year to mark someone’s achievements for the club. The award is in conjunction with Covanburn.

    Last but not least, a prize will go to the team’s top goalscorer in the 2017/18 campaign, with the award sponsored by Newton Waste.

    Fans will also be able to vote for their goal of the season, in conjunction with Avia Signs. Voting will start on March 5.

  • First team

    Dallas to officiate quarter final

    Referee for Sunday’s William Hill Scottish Cup clash with Hearts at Fir Park is Andrew Dallas.

    It will be his third Motherwell game of the season, after the 35-year-old took charge in a Lanarkshire Derby, as well a previous meeting between the Steelmen and the Jambos at Tynecastle earlier this term.

    Unfortunately for the ‘Well, both matches overseen by the official have ended in defeat.

    The first was the 1-0 loss at Tynecastle, when a rather sloppy goal was enough for Craig Levein’s side to pick up all three points.

    Then it was the rather forgettable loss at Fir Park against Hamilton, when ‘Well surrendered an early lead to lose 3-1.

    Son of famous referee Hugh Dallas, Andrew takes charge of his eighth Motherwell game.

    He will be assisted by Graeme Stewart and Dougie Potter, with Nick Walsh on fourth official duties.

  • First team

    Scottish Cup ticket information

    It’s a huge fixture on Sunday as Hearts come calling in the quarter finals of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

    Motherwell are just one game away from yet another trip to Hampden Park this season and a place in the last four of the competition.

    Having reached one cup final this season, your support could help push us a step closer towards another as we strive for new cup heroes.

    Tickets can be purchased in advance and, if you’re a season ticket holder, your seat has been reserved for you to purchase. Just pop by the Fir Park ticket office to secure yours. Please note the ticket office is closed on Thursday due to the adverse weather conditions.

    Cash gates will also be in operation but we encourage all fans to try and buy in advance to minimise delays on the day.

    Hearts supporters should contact their club for ticket information.

    Kick off at Fir Park on Sunday is at 2.15pm.

    Admission prices are as follows:

    ADULTS £18
    CONCESSIONS £12
    JUVENILES £8
    FAMILY (1 ADULT + 2 JUNIOR) £30

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

  • First team

    Motherwell v Aberdeen postponed

    Motherwell’s Ladbrokes Premiership match with Aberdeen has been postponed because of current weather conditions.

    The Scottish Professional Football League has decided that all matches across the country should be cancelled, in the light of government, police and club advice.

    “There has already been significant snowfall at and around Fir Park,” chief operating officer Alan Burrows said.

    “The Scottish Government has an amber warning in place for most of the country, urging people not to travel.

    “Given the current weather situation, the safety of fans who planned to travel to watch the match is paramount. Both clubs agreed an early decision was necessary for this reason.

    “We have a duty of care to all – spectators, players and staff – to avoid any unnecessary travel related to this match.

    “We are pleased that the SPFL have agreed and made the decision to cancel all games scheduled for Wednesday.”

    Details on the rearranged fixture will be announced in due course.

    The club offices and club shop will be closed on Wednesday and all community trust activities have been cancelled.

  • First team

    Carl McHugh: Big week ahead

    Skipper Carl McHugh is determined to see the Steelmen pick up another impressive victory over the Dons, as he closes in on 50 league games for the ‘Well.

    Wednesday night’s game also has the chance to springboard ‘Well in to a crucial Scottish Cup quarter-final on Sunday afternoon.

    “It’s a big week for us in the league and the cup, but we’re just focussing on Aberdeen first,” Carl said, as he spoke to the broadcast press.

    [pullquote]It’s going to be a tough game for us and we’re very hopeful of pushing on in the next few games to push for that top six spot.[/pullquote]

    “On the main, performances and results have been good since the winter break and as a squad we’re confident.

    “We were disappointed with the result against Kilmarnock but thought our performance was good, then against Dundee we probably didn’t play all that well but we dug in, defended well and got a result.

    “We’ll be aiming for the complete performance against Aberdeen and we’ll need to be ready and at our best on Wednesday night.”

  • First team

    Robinson: Enjoying everyday challenges

    Stephen Robinson reflected on his first full year as Motherwell manager when he spoke to the broadcast press.

    And the Northern Irishman, who has enjoyed a hugely successful spell at the helm of the Steelmen, admitted he has enjoyed the challenges on a day-to-day basis at Fir Park.

    “It’s a great football club and there are super people involved in it,” he said. “It’s probably as enjoyable as management gets – we’ve been reasonably successful in terms of the size of the football club and the budget.

    “I’m enjoying it, it’s a challenge and there’s new challenges everyday but that’s something you know you have to meet when you take the job.”

    He added: “It’s going to be a tough, tough game against Aberdeen. There was nothing in our games against them earlier this season, although people raved about our performance in the 3-0 win.

    “There wasn’t a lot in it and we scored at the right times, but goals changed games and we took advantage in that particular game.”

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    U20s highlights as ‘Well beat Accies

    Watch the highlights as Motherwell Under 20s win 3-2 against Hamilton Academical Under 20s at the Excelsior Stadium.