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Its almost something of a Motherwell tradition to produce quality left-backs that go on to make names for themselves at Fir Park and often beyond. Players such as Joe Wark, Tam Boyd and more recently Rob McKinnon and Stevie McMillan have graced the Fir Park turf with the skill and grace expected from the Motherwell ‘left-back’. Another of that impressive cast is long-serving Stevie Hammell.
Steven signed for the club in the summer of 1999 after serving his apprenticeship with Bearsden Boys Club and didn’t have too long to wait long for his big-break. At the tail end of 1999'2000 season, Hammell filled in for the suspended Stevie McMillan as Motherwell travelled up to Pittodrie. Hammy grabbed the opportunity with both hands and remained in the side for more than half a decade chalking up over 240 league and cup games for Motherwell in the process.
A very consistent performer, Stevie was renowned for his lung-bursting runs up the left hand side, supporting the midfield and his ability to whip in a cross both from open play and a dead ball situation.
Performances for his club did not go unnoticed and Hammell went on to represent Scotland at every grade. Starting with the youth sides, he worked his way up through each level and established himself as a regular in Rainier Bonhoff’s successful U21 side, even notching a goal or two along the way.
Eventually Steven’s progression culminated in a top team call-up and in November 2004 he won his first Scotland cap after appearing as a second half substitute in a friendly against Sweden at Easter Road.
Unable to add to that tally in the immediate aftermath of that fixture, the 2005'06 season brought a number of incentives for Steven. With Walter Smith in charge of the national side the full-back had a new manager to impress to kick-start his Scotland career.
At the same time he was also moving into his last season under contract with 'Well and had to turn it on to ensure an attractive offer would be made by the 'Well board or indeed any other potential new employer.
As it was Steven missed a chunk of pre-season in the summer of 2005 through injury and perhaps rushed back more quickly than he should have. Initially he struggled to recapture his form of old and took a wee while to get back to his usual high standards.
It didn't stop what seemed like never ending speculation about where he would next be playing his football however.
To Steven's credit though he always afforded the club that gave him his chance due respect when dealing with any speculation and offers from other sides.
Eventually though the day dawned when Steven made it known it was time to move on. Having considered Motherwell's original and twice revised contract offer Hammell decided in the summer of 2006 that his immediate future would lie away from Fir Park.
Despite concerted pressure by Jimmy Calderwood at Pittodrie, Steven decided to head to the Championship in England to join newly promoted Southend Utd.
In an eighteen month spell with the Shrimpers Steven enjoyed a successful time on a personal level as Southend experienced several highs and lows.
In his first season, Hammell was involved in memorable wins over Leeds at Elland Road, Manchester Utd at Roots Hall and was a part of the side which took Spurs to extra-time in Southend's run to the Quarter Finals. But alongside former 'Well men Foran, McCormack and Gower the season was to end in disappointment as Southend succumbed to the drop.
2007'08 saw Steven miss the first three months of the campaign through injury but when fit came straight back into the side that by the time of the January transfer window was well placed for a challenge for a play-off spot.
With Jim Paterson having made the move to Plymouth Argyle though, Mark McGhee was in the market for a left-back and moved swiftly to tempt Hammell back to Fir Park for a fee of £110,000.
Steven's second debut came in a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock at Fir Park and he would make sixteen appearances for the Steelmen before the season was out and in doing so passed the 250 appearance mark for the club.
The 08'09 season saw Steven add European experience to his list achievements playing in both legs of Motherwell UEFA Cup clash against AS Nancy of France and saw him pass another milestone when he made his 300th appearance for 'Well in the 2-2 draw with Inverness late in the campaign.
The arrival of Jim Gannon saw a new challenge set for Stevie as the incoming manager tried out Mark Reynolds in the role. Some speculated that the defender wasn't to Gannon's liking, however Hammell soon won back his place and become integral part of the team under the Irishman.
Stevie in keeping with several of his team-mates got a huge lift from the arrival of Craig Brown as manager and played his part in helping the club to a run of five clean sheets and a spell where the Steelmen conceded only two in eleven games.
One of a number of players out of contract Hammell was one of the first to commit to a new two year deal which could see him become one of a select number of players to make over 400 appearances for Motherwell.
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D.O.B:
18/02/1982
Born:
Glasgow
Height:
5' 8'
Weight:
12st 4Ibs
Signed From:
MFC Youth (1st spell)/Southend Utd (2nd spell)
Sold To:
Southend Utd
Position:
Defender
International Caps:
 1
International Goals:
0
2010/11 Squad No:
3
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