fbpx
News

Latest News

  • Archive

    Added incentive to buy/renew early

  • Archive

    The Foreign Legion: Dirk Lehmann

  • Archive

    Squad Update: May 2017

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Caledonian Stadium

  • Archive

    Robinson: Annoyed by defeat

  • Archive

    Inverness CT defeat in pictures

  • Archive

    Inverness CT 3 – 2 Motherwell

  • Archive

    Inverness CT: A closer look

  • Archive

    Update: ICT tickets

  • Archive

    Robinson: We owe fans a performance

  • Archive

    Added incentive to buy/renew early

    With just 8 days to go until the end of the early bird offer supporters are reminded to snap up their 2017/18 season ticket to not only secure their seat but to also be in with a chance of winning some great prizes.

    Ten season ticket holders, and ten junior season ticket holders, will have their ticket hand delivered by a player or the manager ahead of next season.

    You never know, you or your child could be the lucky one to receive that chap on the door, but you can only be in with a chance if you purchase on or before May 321st.

    As further added incentive the club have put up other money can’t buy prizes to ensure those that buy early guarantee maximum value when buying their season ticket.

    Any Junior (15 or Under) that secures their 2017/18 season ticket will be benefiting from one of the following prizes.

    • Playing against a Motherwell XI at our summer open day at Fir Park
    • 20 juniors will be chosen to be mascots next season*

    Anyone else that secures their 2017/18 season ticket could be benefiting from one of these great prizes.

    • 5 season ticket holders per home game will be chosen at random and invited with 3 friends to watch a game in the South Stand “Fan Box” during the 2017/18 season.
    • A meal out with Tam Cowan and a player as part of Tam’s food review in association with the Scottish Sun.

    To buy your 2017/18 season ticket and to be in with a chance of securing one the above prizes visit www.MyMFC.co.uk or call us on 01698 333 333.

  • Archive

    The Foreign Legion: Dirk Lehmann

    The bulk of striker Dirk Lehmann’s career at Fir Park was at a crucial period in Motherwell’s history with the club in administration. The German would make a vital contribution when the club’s need was at its greatest. 

    Dirk was brought to Fir Park a few months into Eric Black’s reign in charge as a replacement for former Ireland striker David Kelly.

    Signing for the Steelmen in early 2001, Lehmann was already well known to Motherwell fans from his time with Hibernian. Indeed it was against ‘Well that Dirk made his Hibees debut, where he netted twice in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Easter Road on the opening day of the 1999’00 season.

    Following his spell with Alex McLeish’s side the German moved on to Brighton. His stay on the English south coast was brief and he made a speedy return to Scotland with Motherwell after little more than six months in England.

    Having made his debut from the bench against Dunfermline four days earlier, Dirk netted on his first start for ‘Well on 23rd January 2001 as the Steelmen beat Kilmarnock 2-0 at Fir Park. He would develop an excellent understanding with the emerging talent James McFadden and the duo’s goals did much to ease Motherwell away from the relegation zone.

    Before the close of the season, Lehmann would net a further three goals including one against his former club Hibs in a 4-0 romp, and one on an emotional day as Dundee were beaten 2-1in the final game of the season.

    As the team walked from the park that May afternoon, the future of the club was uncertain. But Lehmann would return as part of a core of experienced pro’s in a streamlined squad under the command of Terry Butcher.

    Season 2002’03 was a season of struggle for Motherwell but Dirk’s goals helped ensure Motherwell remained competitive throughout. He netted at both Tynecastle and Parkhead and scored in the memorable 6-1 thrashing of Hearts in December 2002. He also found the net in the Scottish Cup Quarter Final win over Stranraer that helped take ‘Well to Hampden to face Rangers in the Semi Finals.

    As the season progressed however, Dirk found his place under threat from another youngster in the shape of David Clarkson with Steven Craig, brought in from Raith Rovers, providing further competition still.

    With the club remaining in the top flight, albeit on a technicality, and having had a hand in the development of a number of exciting young talents, it was a sense of “job done” for Lehmann who chose to move on to Yokohama in Japan upon the conclusion of his Motherwell contract.

    Retaining a place in the German’s heart, Dirk pledged his support to Motherwell’s fan ownership ambitions when he signed up as a ‘Well Society member in April 2016.

  • Archive

    Squad Update: May 2017

    Following the conclusion to the SPFL season, the club can announce the following squad updates for summer 2017.

    The following players are in discussions with the club with a view to extending their deal:

    • Lionel Ainsworth
    • Russell Griffiths
    • Keith Lasley

    —— (Under 20s)

    • Barry Maguire
    • Dylan Falconer
    • Shea Gordon
    • Peter Morrison
    • Adam Livingstone

    The following players will leave the club when their contract expires at the end of the month:

    • Craig Samson
    • Joe Chalmers
    • Lee Lucas
    • Zak Jules (loan end)
    • Craig Moore
    • David Ferguson
    • Stephen Pearson
    • Scott McDonald *

    —— (Under 20s)

    • Dylan Mackin
    • Tom Fry
    • Jordan Pettigrew

    *Scott McDonald has notified the club he does not intend to take up his contractual option for season 2017/18 and will leave the club.

    ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson said: “First of all, I want to thank everyone who will leave Fir Park for the last time as a Motherwell player.

    “There are a lot of lads there who have played a lot of football for this club or have came through the ranks here, and it’s important we acknowledge that. It is never a nice or easy part of the game when people leave, but I have sat down with every one of them to give them my thoughts, which is the least I can do.

    “At the moment, we have thirteen senior players contracted and the hard work has already started. I hope to have the first of the new arrivals in the door soon; I don’t intend to waste any time rebuilding as it’s a big job.”

    Motherwell Football Club would like to sincerely thank every player who is leaving for the last time and wish them all every success in their future career.

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Caledonian Stadium

    Extended Highlights from Caledonian Stadium as Motherwell sign off the 2016/17 with a 3-2 defeat to Inverness CT.

  • Archive

    Robinson: Annoyed by defeat

    ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson was disappointed to see his side lose their final game of the season 3-2 away to Inverness.

    And the Northern Irishman admitted that his side failed to take advantage of their chances after a positive first half.

    Speaking to MFC TV at full time, Robinson insisted he is not celebrating despite achieving safety – and he is now firmly looking ahead.

    [pullquote]I thought we played well in the first half and we controlled the game, but obviously we didn’t take advantage of our chances.[/pullquote]

    He said: “I thought we played well in the first half and we controlled the game, but obviously we didn’t take advantage of our chances.

    “We made some changes in the second half and had young boys on the pitch and maybe it cost us, but they’re there to learn from their mistakes and I think they’ll do well from us in the future.”

    He added: “The positive I can take from today is that my back four in the first half were excellent but I’m not here to celebrate getting beat.”

    You can watch the manager’s full post match interview on MFC TV’s official YouTube channel.

  • Archive

    Inverness CT defeat in pictures

    Images from today’s 3-2 defeat to Inverness CT in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

    [svgallery name=”invernessct200517″]

  • Archive

    Inverness CT 3 – 2 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

    Motherwell ended the 2016/17 season with a 3-2 loss away to Inverness this afternoon.

    And with Hamilton securing victory over Dundee, the ‘Well finished the campaign in 9th whilst the Caley Jags were condemned to bottom spot and automatic relegation to the Championship.

    ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson named youngster Shea Gordon in the starting line-up as he searched for a third consecutive victory and the chance to finish as high as eighth.

    And a hard-working first half performance saw the Steelmen quell what could have been a fired up Inverness side, with neither side creating much in the opening ten minutes.

    Ex-Well man Louis Laing was the first to hit the target when his low effort from 20 yards was pushed wide by Griffiths.

    Down the other end, Lionel Ainsworth went close with a similar effort, which beat Ryan Esson in the Caley goal but flashed wide of the post too.

    Liam Polworth’s tricky run was nearly matched by a fantastic finish, but the midfielder sent his curling effort just beyond the corner of the post and bar and it remained goalless.

    Carl McHugh came close to firing home his third goal in a Motherwell jersey and his second in two games when he sauntered forward unchallenged and struck a decent effort narrowly past the target from 30-yards.

    And just as it looked like the two sides would go in to the interval level, Chris Cadden had other plans as he picked the ball up on the right flank and drove forward past two challenges and blasted a terrific effort at goal from inside the box, but it flew narrowly over the bar.

    The hosts started the second half on the front foot and went close from a set piece, when Gary Warren’s back post header flew narrowly past the post.

    They took the lead after the hour mark though when Greg Tansey raced free in the middle of the park and struck a low effort past Russell Griffiths.

    And the opener saw Motherwell crumble defensively as the hosts bagged three goals in three minutes.

    Alex Fisher finished off a scuffed shot from Ross Draper by striking high in to the top corner from inside the box and two minutes later the same duo combined to put the hosts three in front.

    Stephen Robinson elected to change things by bringing on James McFadden for Louis Moult, and within seconds his decision was rewarded.

    Elliott Frear cut inside on to his left foot before striking a tremendous effort off the cross bar, but the awaiting McFadden was there to nod the ball past Esson to restore some pride for the travelling supporters.

    With just a couple of minutes remaining, Craig Clay was tripped in the box and the Fir Parkers were awarded a penalty and perhaps a chance of salvaging a point.

    Ryan Bowman made no mistake from the spot but it was too little too late for the travelling Steelmen.

    [tab:As it happened]

    FT: Inverness CT 3 – 2 Motherwell #ICTFCvMFCTranslate from German

     

    ..converted by Bowman!

     

    90+2’ | 3-1

    ‘Well have a penalty….

     

    Two minutes added on.

     

    88′ | 3-1

    McFadden lays it off to Hammell about 25 yards out but he fires just over the bar

     

    76′ | 3-1

    ICT sub, Mulraney on for Polworth

     

    73′ | 3-1

    GOAL! Frear hits the bar from distance and McFadden nods in the rebound!

     

    72′ | 3-0

    Motherwell sub, McFadden on for Moult

     

    68′ | 3-0

    Goal – Another goal for ICT. Fisher heading in at the backpost.

     

    66′ | 2-0

    Motherwell sub, Gordon off for Bowman

     

    66′ | 2-0

    Goal – Draper scuffs his shot straight into the path of Fisher who fires past Griffiths

     

    63′ | 1-0

    Goal – ICT take the lead through Tansey

     

    59′ | 0-0

    Free-kick to ICT on the edge of the box. Vigurs to take…straight at Griffiths

     

    56′ | 0-0

    Motherwell sub, Livingstone on for Ainsworth

     

    55′ | 0-0

    Corner to Caley…..Warren head just past at the back post!

     

    Second half underway.

     

    HT: Inverness CT 0 – 0 Motherwell #ICTFCvMFC

     

    41′ | 0-0

    So close! Cadden run the length of the pitch with the ball, skinning two in the process but blasts just over from 12 yards!

     

    25′ | 0-0

    McHugh drifts forward unchallenged and his shot from about 30 yards and it goes inches wide.

     

    20′ | 0-0

    Good chance for Draper as he gets the ball in the box but he curls it well over the bar. Should have hit the target.

     

    17′ | 0-0

    Polworth twists and turns and from a decent position blasts well over the bar.

     

    15′ | 0-0

    Close! Great play between Ainsworth and Moult sets the winger up on his left foot but it trickles past the post with Esson beaten

     

    12′ | 0-0

    Laing fizzes one from distance but Griffiths is equal to it, palming it wide for a corner.

     

    9’ | 0-0

    Both sides getting some crosses into the box but no opportunities as yet

     

    Gordon gets the game underway. COYW!!!

     

    Both teams come out the tunnel. Cold and wet here in the highlands.

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson:

     

    Inverness CT manager Richie Foran:

     

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”324″]

    1. FT: Inverness CT 3 – 2 Motherwell

    2. ..converted by Bowman!

    3. 90+2′ | 3-1 ‘Well have a penalty….

    4. Two minutes added on.

    5. 88′ | 3-1 McFadden lays it off to Hammell about 25 yards out but he fires just over the bar

    6. 76′ | 3-1 ICT sub, Mulraney on for Polworth

    7. 73′ | 3-1 GOAL! Frear hits the bar from distance and McFadden nods in the rebound!

    8. 72′ | 3-0 Motherwell sub, McFadden on for Moult

    9. 68′ | 3-0 Goal – Another goal for ICT. Fisher heading in at the backpost.

    10. 66′ | 2-0 Motherwell sub, Gordon off for Bowman

    11. 66′ | 2-0 Goal – Draper scuffs his shot straight into the path of Fisher who fires past Griffiths

    12. 63′ | 1-0 Goal – ICT take the lead through Tansey

    13. 59′ | 0-0 Free-kick to ICT on the edge of the box. Vigurs to take…straight at Griffiths

    14. 56′ | 0-0 Motherwell sub, Livingstone on for Ainsworth

    15. 55′ | 0-0 Corner to Caley…..Warren head just past at the back post!

    16. Second half underway.

    17. HT: Inverness CT 0 – 0 Motherwell

    18. 41′ | 0-0 So close! Cadden run the length of the pitch with the ball, skinning two in the process but blasts just over from 12 yards!

    19. 25′ | 0-0 McHugh drifts forward unchallenged and his shot from about 30 yards and it goes inches wide.

    20. 20′ | 0-0 Good chance for Draper as he gets the ball in the box but he curls it well over the bar. Should have hit the target.

    21. 17′ | 0-0 Polworth twists and turns and from a decent position blasts well over the bar.

    22. 15′ | 0-0 Close! Great play between Ainsworth and Moult sets the winger up on his left foot but it trickles past the post with Esson beaten

    23. 12′ | 0-0 Laing fizzes one from distance but Griffiths is equal to it, palming it wide for a corner.

    24. 9′ | 0-0 Both sides getting some crosses into the box but no opportunities as yet

    25. Gordon gets the game underway. COYW!!!

    26. Both teams come out the tunnel. Cold and wet here in the highlands.

  • Archive

    Inverness CT: A closer look

    Motherwell travel north to take on Inverness CT in the final game of the season tomorrow afternoon.

    And having won back-to-back matches for the first time this campaign, the Steelmen will be keen to extend their winning run to three matches.

    But it will be a tough fixture for the Fir Parkers, who face an Inverness side fighting for a chance to avoid immediate relegation from the top flight.

    The Caley Jags sit just one point behind Hamilton heading in to the final fixture of the 2016/17 season, having picked up six points in their last three games to give Richie Foran’s outfit what seemed an unlikely chance to secure safety.

    And ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson is well aware that Inverness will be tough opponents to face tomorrow.

    Speaking to MFC TV, the Fir Park gaffer said: “We’re looking forward to it and it’ll be nice to play the game without too much pressure on it.

    “But on the other hand we really want to go there and put in a performance because the fans have backed us through thick and thin so we owe them and the people who travel up there a performance.”

    [pullquote]We really want to go there and put in a performance because the fans have backed us through thick and thin so we owe them and the people who travel up there a performance.[/pullquote]

    He added: “Also to the other teams involved in a relegation battle, I feel it’s important to put out the strongest team we have available to us to go there and try and win the game.”

    Motherwell will be without Stephen McManus, Richard Tait, Scott McDonald, Jack McMillan, Lee Lucas and Jacob Blyth – all out through injury.

    Inverness, on the other hand, will be without Owain Fon-Williams, Carl Tremarco and Josh Meekings.

     

    Three weeks ago, you would have been excused had you completely written off Inverness’ chances of avoiding the drop.

    But with one game remaining, Richie Foran’s side are within touching distance of achieving something that looked like they had next to no chance of achieving.

    Two wins in their last three games mean that the Caley Jags could potentially finish eleventh and avoid automatic relegation – depending on Hamilton’s result against Dundee tomorrow.

    It would be an impressive achievement given the turbulent campaign Inverness have had, and tomorrow’s opponents will be keen to try and secure their second win over Motherwell this season.

    A heavy 3-0 defeat for the Steelmen at Fir Park was followed up by an important 2-1 win at the Caledonian Stadium back in December, and the most recent clash, a 4-2 win for Motherwell, was one of the clubs most important victories of the campaign.

    Goals from Chris Cadden, Louis Moult, Scott McDonald and Allan Campbell wrapped up the win despite Alex Fisher’s double.

    The last trip to the Highlands saw Craig Clay score his first goal in Claret and Amber when he fired in a stunning effort from distance to put the ‘Well one up.

    Scott McDonald made it two with just three minutes remaining before a late goal from Greg Tansey made it a fairly tense few minutes as the Steelmen managed to hold on.

    The hosts will be full of confidence and, more importantly, fight, as they go out to try and stay in the top flight tomorrow afternoon.

    They come in on the back of a 2-0 win against Dundee, where they got off to an ideal start and found themselves two up inside ten minutes.

    Alex Fisher’s superb goal put the northern outfit 2-0 ahead after Billy McKay had fired them in front, and Richie Foran’s side were barely threatened from that point onwards.

    It was a must win match and with one big battle left on their hands, they will make for an extremely tough opponent tomorrow night.

    McKay came close to an opener inside a minute when he charged down Scott Bain’s clearance, with the ball sailing inches wide.

    It was a warning Dundee failed to take note of. McKay gathered the ball almost immediately after his earlier chance and fired home with a clinical finish after some poor Dundee defending.

    Iain Vigurs sent a ball in towards Fisher on ten minutes, who controlled it and produced a fabulous volleyed finish to double the lead.

    Foran’s side also earned a rare clean sheet which will add to their encouragement as they prepare for tomorrow’s game.

    Over the course of the last few seasons, matches have been tough to call between tomorrow’s visitors and the Steelmen, making for an intriguing fixture this weekend.

     

  • Archive

    Update: ICT tickets

    All under-16s can attend tomorrow’s clash with Inverness in the Highlands completely free of charge.

    As the Steelmen head north for their final league fixture of the season, the complimentary tickets make for a great deal for travelling ‘Well supporters.

    The match takes place at the Caledonian Stadium, with kick-off at 3pm and ticket prices as below:

    Admission prices are as follows: 

    ADULTS    £22  
    CONCESSIONS       £17
    UNDER-16    FREE 
    • Concessions are listed as 65 and over and 16-25 year olds
    • Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Darren  on 07722912666 or email darren@mfcdsa.com.
  • Archive

    Robinson: We owe fans a performance

    ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson admits that it will be nice to feel less pressure in the dugout during his side’s final match of the season.

    The Steelmen travel to face Inverness CT on Saturday afternoon, and while the Fir Parkers are safe from relegation, Robinson admits that they will go in to the match eager for three points.

    Speaking to MFC TV this afternoon, the manager looked ahead to the final match of the 2016/17 campaign.

    [pullquote]We really want to go there and put in a performance because the fans have backed us through thick and thin so we owe them and the people who travel up there a performance.[/pullquote]

    He said: “We’re looking forward to it and it’ll be nice to play the game without too much pressure on it.

    “But on the other hand we really want to go there and put in a performance because the fans have backed us through thick and thin so we owe them and the people who travel up there a performance.”

    He added: “Also to the other teams involved in a relegation battle, I feel it’s important to put out the strongest team we have available to us to go there and try and win the game.”

    You can watch the manager’s full interview on MFC TV’s official YouTube channel.

    MFC TV