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    Away Day Guide: vs Dundee Utd

  • Archive

    TV: McCall aiming for Tannadice win

  • Archive

    TV: Hammell honoured at 500 milestone

  • Archive

    Last Four Games: We need you!

  • Archive

    World Stars Match Attax on sale!

  • Archive

    McCall nominated for Manager award

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Excelsior Stadium

  • Archive

    TV: Johansson lauds ruthless ‘Well

  • Archive

    Partick Thistle U20s 0-5 Motherwell U20s

  • Archive

    Moore has height for the fight

  • Archive

    Away Day Guide: vs Dundee Utd

    Stadium Information:

    HeartsDundee United Football Club
    Tannadice Park
    Tannadice Street
    Dundee

    Tel: 01382 833166
    Web: www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk

    Opened: 1883
    Capacity: 14,209
    Sat Nav: DD3 7JW
    Distance from Fir Park: 86.7 miles (1 hr 36mins)

    Tickets

    ADULTS:    £21 
    CONCESSIONS:                        £12
    UNDER 12s:    £3
    • Concessions are listed as Over 65s, kids aged between 12 and 18 and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.
    • Maximum of two Under 12s per full-paying adult.
    • Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 07745494631 / 07711 992161 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

    Fan Information

    • There will be a minutes applause for ex Dundee United player Frank Kopel, who sadly passed away last week.
    • Police Scotland have advised they may stop and search supporters buses for alcohol. Any supporters buses should park as normal in Neish Street.
    • Fans should expect traffic delays if using the Tay Bridge crossing.
    • Heavy rain is forecast for the Tayside area so fans should take extra care when travelling to and from the match.

    By car

    The stadium is located less than 200 yards from Dens Park, home of their city rivals Dundee, and is well signposted for travelling fans.

    Head towards Perth on the A9 and then follow the A90 into Dundee, leaving at the junction with the B960 to turn right on to Clepington Road (signposted Football traffic).

    Continue along Clepington Road for one mile and go through a roundabout before turning right on Arklay Street. The stadium will be clearly visible on the right.

    Street parking is available on numerous streets around the ground.

    By bus

    Several operators run buses to Dundee, departing every hour from Buchanan Station in Glasgow city centre.

    Further information and timetables are available online at www.citylink.co.uk

    By train

    Dundee station is over two miles away from the ground, although frequent bus services run throughout the city.

    Further information and timetables are available online at www.scotrail.co.uk.

    [mappress]

  • Archive

    TV: McCall aiming for Tannadice win

    Stuart McCall will urge his side to go all out for victory when they take on Dundee United at Tannadice tomorrow.

    The Steelmen sit seven points ahead of Jackie McNamara’s side with four games left of the inaugural SPFL Premiership season.

    And with a win all but guaranteeing a European spot for next season, the Fir Parkers have a clear objective as the head for the City of Discovery.

    Speaking to MFC TV ahead of the match, the Fir Park boss said: “Results last weekend have probably put a slightly different spin on things.

    [pullquote]The seven point gap we have means we’ve got to take the bull by the horns and go for a victory, which to be fair, we always try to.[/pullquote]

    “We could have been going there just three points ahead of them with an inferior goal difference meaning had we lost, we’d have dropped a place.

    “The seven point gap we have means we’ve got to take the bull by the horns and go for a victory, which to be fair, we always try to.

    “What I mean by that is there are situations where a point is a good one, and being just three in front may well have been one of those occasions.

    “However, with that little cushion we have and with the objective of trying to confirm European football for next season, we must go there looking to take all three points.”

    -WATCH STUART’S INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    TV: Hammell honoured at 500 milestone

    Legendary left-back Stevie Hammell spoke of his pride as he looks set to play his 500th game for Motherwell tomorrow.

    The 32-year old made his debut against Aberdeen fourteen years ago and has gone on to achieve much, appearing in Cup Finals, finishing ‘best of the rest’ on three separate occasions, wining International recognition with Scotland and earning a testimonial season.

    He now reaches the latest milestone, which leaves him fourth on Motherwell’s all-time appearance list, behind Bobby Ferrier (644), Joe Wark (609) and George Stevenson (551).

    [pullquote]I can still remember my first game like it was last season and to get to 500 games for such a special club is a real honour for me.[/pullquote]

    Hammell told MFC TV: “It means a lot to me and it has come around really quickly.

    “I can still remember my first game like it was last season and to get to 500 games for such a special club is a real honour for me.

    “To be honest, it’s not something I really thought about when I started at the club, but as it’s got closer, it has come into sharper focus.

    “There are a couple of legendary figures ahead of me in terms of games but if I am lucky to be here for long enough, it’s certainly something I’ll aim for.”

    -WATCH STEVEN’S INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Last Four Games: We need you!

    Tickets are available for our last four matches as ‘Well battle it out for a European spot.

    The Steelmen are in the battle to finish in the top three with as many as five teams still in contention.

    It looks set to be one of the most keenly contests finishes to a season in the Scottish top flight for many years.

    And ‘Well boss Stuart McCall has urged fans to get right behind the team, particularly the two matches at Fir Park.

    [pullquote]Please come and support us; tell your friends, your family, your work colleagues to get out and get behind the team. We need you![/pullquote]

    “I have been delighted with the positive support, noise and colour from the supporters this year and it has really pushed the boys on.

    “It would be great if we could get as many people along to Fir Park for the last two games. I understand, like last year against Ross County, the club will be looking to fill up the (Maxim Office Park) South Stand with local groups, so it would be great if the rest of the stands were also busy.

    “These last few games will define our season, but may also give us a little kick start into next season depending on where we finish.

    “Please come and support us; tell your friends, your family, your work colleagues to get out and get behind the team. We need you!”

    TICKET DETAILS:

    Dundee UtdTickets for the SPFL Premiership match with Dundee United on Saturday 26th April 2014 at Tannadice (3pm KO) will be available on the gate priced at:

    ADULTS:    £21 
    CONCESSIONS:                         £12
    • Concessions are listed as Over 65s, Under 18s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.
    • A maximum of x2 Under 12s can gain access for £3 with a full-paying adult.
    • Motherwell fans will be housed in the Jim McLean Fair Play Stand upper tier.
    • Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 07745494631 / 07711 992161 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

    ————–

    St JohnstoneTickets for the SPFL Premiership match with St Johnstone on Saturday 3rd May 2014 at Fir Park (3pm KO) will be available on the gate priced at:

    ADULTS:    £22 / £18  
    CONCESSIONS:                         £15 / £14
    JUVENILE:    £12 / £9
    FAMILY:    £28 / £24
    • Concessions are listed as Over 60s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.
    • Juveniles are listed as Under 16s.
    • Family tickets consist of 1x Adult and 1x Juvenile.
    • The cheaper priced ticket is for the East Stand only.
    • If you are new to Fir Park, check our handy ‘New Fans’ section that will detail everything you need to know about matchdays.
    • Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 07745494631 / 07711 992161 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

    PAYMENT OPTIONS: You can either pay cash at the turnstile or, if you prefer, via credit or debit card at the Fir Park Ticket Office. There is a 2.5% surcharge on any credit card purchase. You can also pre-purchase your tickets online, either for post or for collection, by clicking the link below. *The following credit cards are accepted at the Fir Park Ticket Office:

    CC accepted at the FP Ticket Office

    Buy St Johnstone Tickets Online

    ————–

    Inverness CTTickets for the SPFL Premiership match with Inverness CT on Wednesday 7th May 2014 at Fir Park (7.45pm KO) will be available on the gate priced at:

    ADULTS:    £22 / £18  
    CONCESSIONS:                         £15 / £14
    JUVENILE:    £12 / £9
    FAMILY:    £28 / £24
    • Concessions are listed as Over 60s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.
    • Juveniles are listed as Under 16s.
    • Family tickets consist of 1x Adult and 1x Juvenile.
    • The cheaper priced ticket is for the East Stand only.
    • If you are new to Fir Park, check our handy ‘New Fans’ section that will detail everything you need to know about matchdays.
    • Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 07745494631 / 07711 992161 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

    PAYMENT OPTIONS: You can either pay cash at the turnstile or, if you prefer, via credit or debit card at the Fir Park Ticket Office. There is a 2.5% surcharge on any credit card purchase. You can also pre-purchase your tickets online, either for post or for collection, by clicking the link below. *The following credit cards are accepted at the Fir Park Ticket Office:

    CC accepted at the FP Ticket Office

    Buy Inverness CT Tickets Online

    ————–

    AberdeenTickets for the SPFL Premiership match with Aberdeen on Sunday 11th May 2014 at Pittodrie (12.15pm KO) are available from the Fir Park Ticket Office priced at:

    ADULTS:    £23 
    OVER 60s:                         £17
    CONCESSIONS:                         £10
    UNDER 12s:                         £6
    • Concessions are listed as Under 18s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.
    • Motherwell fans will be housed in the South Stand as per normal.
    • Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 07745494631 / 07711 992161 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

    ————–

  • Archive

    World Stars Match Attax on sale!

    Leading collectibles company Topps – the SPFL’s official sticker and trading card partner – are kicking off a summer football carnival with the launch of their World Stars Match Attax Trading Card game.

    Scotland might not be at this summer’s tournament, but Motherwell supporters of all ages can still get to grips with all the teams headed to Brazil for the world’s favourite football competition right now!

    Just as Rio is destined to this summer, the game features the biggest international superstars from all 32 nations, with the likes of Rooney, Messi, Ronaldo, Iniesta and Neymar all ready to be called up from the packet to your pocket!

    There are over three hundred cards to collect, shiny new International Superstars, ‘Mega Man of the Match’ and ‘100 club’ cards. All the cards feature the latest international player values, plus there are signed cards from Ronaldo, Gerrard, Benteke and Henderson to be found in lucky packets!

    Steelmen supporters can get their hands on a starter pack for £3.99, with additional packets of 10 cards available at just £1 from supermarkets and local newsagents.

    For further information about Topps Match Attax, please visit www.toppsfootball.co.uk

    For the latest updates, follow @MyTopps on Twitter or visit www.facebook.com/MyTopps

  • Archive

    McCall nominated for Manager award

    ‘Well boss Stuart McCall has once again been nominated for the PFA Scotland Manager of the Year award.

    It’s the third successive year McCall has been nominated, although Derek Adams (Ross County) and Allan Johnston (Queen of the South) both pipped him in previous season.

    This year, he has been paired with Neil Lennon (Celtic), Derek McInnes (Aberdeen) and Tommy Wright (St Johnstone).

    Scotland manager Gordon Strachan announced the shortlist at Hampden Park, with the winner set to be announced on 27th April at the PFA Scotland awards dinner.

    The award will be decided by the SPFL’s 42 member managers and Strachan as national team boss, who each have a vote in the process.

    The Fir Park boss has once again worked miracles with his squad, which he had to almost completely rebuild in the summer.

    The achievements in the SPFL Premiership, to have his side fighting for Europe, is made all the more impressive when you consider the quite horrendous and unprecedented injury list in the second part of the campaign.

    The Scotland coach did with the Clydesdale Bank (the then league sponsors) award last year and has been very much in the running for the SFWA gong in recent years.

    Everyone at Fir Park would like to congratulate Stuart on his nomination and wish him the best of luck for when the winner is announced.

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Excelsior Stadium

    Extended highlights from the Excelsior Stadium as a ruthless ‘Well beat Partick Thistle Under 20s 5-0.

    -WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    TV: Johansson lauds ruthless ‘Well

    Jonatan Johansson praised the ruthless nature of Motherwell’s attacking play as they put five past Partick Thistle.

    The Fir Parkers weren’t always at their fluid best and, despite the score line, Thistle battled and worked hard to play attractive football.

    But in front of goal, the Steelmen showed no mercy, taking five and only a strong performance from Jags keeper Scott Basalaj kept the score line at five.

    The former Finnish International striker said: “I felt we were the better side and it was a very professional performance.

    [pullquote]At times, we moved the ball well, some of our play was effectively quick and the standard of the goals was high.[/pullquote]

    “At times, we moved the ball well, some of our play was effectively quick and the standard of the goals was high.

    “It took us a bit of time to get going, but when we did, we managed to stretch the game, play wider and get our fullbacks more involved.

    “As a team, going forward, we looked good.

    “We’ve now got two games to go before the end of the season and the challenge for us is to finish the season on a high, in fourth spot.”

    -WATCH JONATAN’S INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Partick Thistle U20s 0-5 Motherwell U20s

    A ruthless Motherwell Under 20s put five past Partick Thistle as they look to finish the season with a bang.

    First half goals from Steven Higgins, Paul McCafferty and Dom Thomas gave the Steelmen a commanding lead at the interval.

    A string of impressive saves by Jags keeper Scott Basalaj kept the score line at three before Higgins grabbed a fourth and Shirkie a fifth, as ‘Well comfortably brushed aside their Firhill counterparts.

    Jonatan Johansson made four changes to the side that beat St Johnstone seven days previous.

    Ross Stewart, Ben Hall, Jack McMillan and Lee Erwin all dropped out, replaced by Max Currie, Euan Murray, Craig McCall and Craig Moore.

    It was a slow start to the match and it took ‘Well until the twelfth minute to register the game’s first half-chance.

    Moore had a shot blocked for a corner then, shortly after, Higgins took advantage of a mistake in the Thistle backline but could only curl a shot wide of target.

    Fifteen minutes later, Thistle might have scored when David Wilson had a free header from a corner, but he couldn’t direct it at goal and ‘Well eventually scrambled it clear.

    It would prove to be a vital miss as, almost immediately after, ‘Well got their noses in front.

    Dom Thomas won the ball deep in the Thistle half and immediately set the visitors on the attack. Moore picked up on the edge of the area and Basalaj could only parry his fizzing shot out where Steven Higgins was lurking. The eighteen-year old kept his cool to slam home from close range.

    Leyden and Hamilton both had half-chances for Thistle, none of which troubled Currie in the Steelmen goal, before the Fir Parkers doubled their advantage on the 41st minute.

    After a patient, passing move, Paul McCafferty collected on the left flank. He turned his marker before sending an inviting ball towards the front post. Higgins went for it, missed it, but it carried on and into the far corner.

    Incredibly, ‘Well made it 3-0 seconds before the half-time interval. Craig Moore was again the creator, his free kick again parried out by Basalaj, but this time it was Dom Thomas who was on hand to force the rebound home.

    Into the second half and Johansson’s men made a barnstorming start, with Thistle having their goalkeeper to thank for keeping them within touching distance.

    He made three excellent saves, from Higgins, Moore and Cadden, all of which came after Ross Meechan had hooked a Paul McCafferty shot off the line.

    However, it was only a matter of time before the Steelmen added to their lead and the fourth eventually arrived on the 64th minute.

    Max Currie’s kick out was flicked on by McCafferty, allowing Higgins to burst clear of the home defence; the striker kept his composure to slide under Basalaj for his second of the evening.

    ‘Well continued to attack and passed up several chances to add a fifth. Thomas fired wide after industrious wing play by Cadden, before Shirkie and Higgins carved open the Jags defence with a lovely one-two, only for the former to watch on and his shot was again well saved by Basalaj at point-blank range.

    Thistle’s first shot on target came on the 72nd minute when Lee Gallacher fired a shot from distance, but it presented no problems for Currie who comfortably plucked it out the air.

    Two minutes passed before ‘Well added their fifth and final goal. Thomas showed great feet in the Thistle box before being crudely tripped by Mick McMullen. Although Higgins was on a treble, regular penalty taker Dale Shirkie coolly stepped up and slotted it past Basalaj, who couldn’t keep it out despite going the right way.

    Thistle’s best chance of the match again came from Gallacher, the little midfielder doing well to get a shot away from the edge of the area and although it beat Currie, it clipped the outside of the post on the way past.

    Five minutes before the finish, Higgins almost grabbed his hat trick with an audacious lob over Basalaj, but the Thistle keeper scrambled back onto his line before tipping over.

    Motherwell: Currie, Cadden, Ferguson, Murray (Hall – 58mins), Neill, McCall, McCafferty, Shirkie, Moore (Johnstone – 63mins), Thomas (Mackin – 77mins), Higgins

    Subs: Long, Watt, MacLean

  • Archive

    Moore has height for the fight

    Craig Moore has always classed himself as a determined person but his edge has been further sharpened by some major challenges in the early part of his career.

    After being told he was too short to be a footballer when he was released by Hearts at Under 15 level, he quickly bounced back and scored his first Motherwell goal against the Edinburgh club seconds into his Scottish Premiership debut at the age of 19.

    Moore had already proved he could score at senior level during a prolific spell with Cowdenbeath, as he helped the Fife club avoid relegation from the First Division.

    And this season he has recovered from a cracked rib to regain his place in the Motherwell team as they fight for a European place.

    His next challenge is to rediscover his goalscoring touch – and experience has taught him that determination and hard work are the key.

    Those attributes came to the fore when, in an era when Barcelona’s diminutive trio of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta have dominated world football, he became the latest Scottish youngster to be wrongly told he was too small to make the grade.

    As with the likes of Pat Nevin before him – who suffered the same fate at Celtic – Moore fought back to prove his doubters wrong after then Motherwell youth supremo Gordon Young picked him up.

    The teenager, who spent six years with Hearts, said: “They let me go because of my height. I was gutted. I didn’t know what to do. It was the first time I had really been knocked back from anything.

    “Thankfully I got another team quite quickly and came to Motherwell, so it didn’t affect me as much. If I had a wee bit of time off I might have been thinking about it more and wondering what I was going to do. But I came to Motherwell more or less straight away.

    “It’s just one of those things. You look at them now and they are not the biggest team. Maybe they used it as an excuse, I don’t know.

    “My dad just told me not to let it affect me, just go out and let my ability do the talking rather than worrying about my height.

    “When I came here, Youngy was brand new to me and told me I didn’t need to worry about my height at all, which gave me confidence.”

    Moore got his chance at first-team level in the second half of last season with a successful loan spell with Cowdenbeath where the goals flowed.

    “It should have been nine but it was seven because two got chalked off when a game got abandoned,” he said.

    “It was great experience, it’s a lot more competitive than the under-20s. It helped me push on.

    “We fought a relegation battle and won against Hamilton on the last game of the season and Dunfermline lost, so they went into the play-offs and ended up going down. We had to win and I scored in that game so it was good. It was a big relief.”

    Moving to the do-or-die situation of a relegation dogfight helped prepare Moore for his surge into the Motherwell first team this season.

    “We had to win every game, so you always had to be at your best.

    “It woke you up a wee bit, you thought ‘there’s a wee bit more to this’. The club could go down and lose a lot of money.

    “Fighting for something gave you a little bit more to work for.

    “No footballer wants to get relegated. As soon as I went there it sunk in, everyone is fighting for their life so we better make sure we stay up.

    “Colin Cameron was great, I thank him for giving me the chance to show what I can do.

    “It was a pleasure playing under him and I felt welcome as soon as I went up, and never really looked back from there.

    “The first game I scored against Partick, that was the game that got called off, but it gave me a confidence boost. Not just the goals, but playing a full game was a boost, it got me fitter and sharper.”

    Moore made his Motherwell debut in the away leg of the Europa League tie with Kuban Krasnodar in August and netted a sensational 30-yard equaliser moments into his league debut – against the team that knocked him back.

    The goal in a 2-1 win over Hearts was the perfect introduction to the Motherwell first team and he put in an impressive performance in a 2-0 win at Kilmarnock that marked his first start for the club.

    But Moore is always focused on improvement and wants to kick on from that goal and grab his second for the club.

    Speaking about the goal against Hearts, he said: “Don’t get me wrong, they treated me brilliantly, but they let me go so it was great to give that wee bit back to them.

    “But I have wanted to kick on a wee bit more since that first goal. I’ve had chances and I should have had more goals, but it will come.

    “I’m not going to lose confidence. I know I can do it.

    “I am a bit critical of myself, I am probably my biggest critic. When I get chances, I know I should be taking them. I am working on it.

    “You don’t let it affect you, you just keep getting in the positions, and you are going to take one at one point.

    “I’m gaining experience. Coming on and scoring that goal straight away has probably been a stone round my neck as well. People are expecting another goal, another goal. I’ve been expecting it as well, but as soon as it comes, more will come.”

    Moore’s chances of scoring again were not helped by a two-month lay-off with a cracked rib but he worked his way back into Stuart McCall’s plans last month and has made a significant contribution in recent weeks, setting up three goals in as many games.

    Moore is not satisfied with that though and he wants to get back on the scoresheet and do everything he can to help Motherwell achieve their goal of securing another season of European football.

    “I’ve been happy with getting a couple of assists as well but I think I should be scoring more,” he said.

    “I’ve been working on it in training. I know I need to work hard, I have that instilled in me and I always work hard anyway.

    “Even after training putting in extra work, going up the gym, that will help me. It’s all about hard work and determination.

    “I’ve always had that and getting let go by Hearts has made me a wee bit more determined to prove everybody wrong as well. They let me go but I’ll come back stronger.

    “I play every game as if it’s my last, like every game is the most important of the season. That’s the way I look at it.”

    Words: Gavin McCafferty

    Interview first appeared in the vs
    Celtic Steelmen Matchday Magazine