Rated by some, berated by others there’s no denying that Shaun Fagan's time with Motherwell saw him become one of the club's most talked about players.
Unbeknown to Shaun when he made his Motherwell debut in 4-0 capitulation against Hibs at Easter Road in April 2002, was that the club would soon lurch into administration a few days later. While this meant many of his team-mates at the club were to find themselves moved on, it opened the door to regular first team football for Shaun and several youngsters like him.
Less than half a dozen games into his ‘Well career Shaun came off the bench to score against Celtic and help the Dossers to a sensational 2-1 victory, captured live on TV. In retrospect it could be argued it was possibly the worst thing Fagan could have done.
Instead of being able to ease himself gently into the side, his goal had set expectation levels higher than realistically Shaun would be able to reach on a regular basis. It didn’t however stop him having a very decent first full season in the first team, which was only halted through injury and prevented him playing a part in the Scottish Cup Semi Final against Rangers and the end of season run-in.
Shaun featured little in the first half of the 2003-2004 season appearing on a regular basis only towards the end of the season but contributing nonetheless to Motherwell’s top half finish.
Another problem however had materialised. Lack of a recognised right-sided midfielder meant that Shaun began to be utilised more and more often in that position. It was fairly obvious to many that while 100% effort could be counted upon from Shaun it was a role which didn’t seem come naturally. A fact some Motherwell supporters were only too quick to point out to him.
As he moved into the last year of his contract supporters reckoned it would be a make or break year for Shaun. He began the campaign in the side but by the onset of winter, with ‘Well again riding high in the top half he had drifted out of contention. It seemed to suggest that perhaps Fagan’s days at Fir Park were numbered.
Towards the end of the season though with the Dossers edging towards a second top six placing, Shaun was re-introduced to the side and remained in the side for the remainder of the campaign.
Had he done enough for a new deal? Shaun admitted himself that when he was called to Terry Butcher’s office, he had expected to be told his time was up. His gaffer however rewarded him with a new 2 year deal with a warning however that was, very much his last chance to make it at Motherwell.
Shaun began the 2005'06 season very much in Terry Butcher’s plans and featured in most games for the club in the opening months of the campaign with varying degrees of effect. From a crisply hit goal of the season contender against Falkirk to being seemingly unable to find a man no more than 5 yards away from him, you never quite knew what you were going to get from Fagan.
If opinions weren’t polarised enough about him, an unsavoury gesture to supporters in the Main Stand during the Caley Thistle game at Fir Park after an alleged sectarian remark sparked even more debate about the merits of his place on the Fir Park payroll.
Admittedly injury did prevent Shaun from featuring for a spell but the Main Stand incident surely cost him plenty of first team football as he made just a single start and 2 substitutes appearances between early December and the close of the campaign.
Life continued in a similar vein for Shaun despite the new regime of Malpas and Hegarty replacing Terry Butcher in the summer of 2006. Even with the Steelmen enduring a spell at the foot of the table and missing the likes Phil O'Donnell and Keith Lasley for lengthy periods Fagan remained out of the picture.
2007 brought something of a fresh start for Shaun with a loan move to Stenhousemuir where he scored on his debut for the Warriors.
Upon completing his deal at Ochilview Malpas appeared to offer Fagan a lifeline, publically stating he remained a part of his squad but little more than a few weeks it was revealed that Shaun was free to look for a club elsewhere.
An unsuccesful trial with Dundee came and went before Shaun was linked with a move to Irish side Galway Utd. |