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Tommy McLean’s side were improving year on year under his command and there was a definite feeling amongst supporters that the team was building towards something special. It came in 1991.

Aberdeen were beaten at Pittodrie for the first time in decades before hard fought victories over First Division sides Falkirk and Morton, which went all the way to a penalty shoot-out, pitched Motherwell against Celtic in the semi-final.

‘Well had already beaten Celtic twice in season 1990’91, including a 2-1 win just three days before the Hampden encounter, so a match-up against the Hoops held few fears. In a tousy clash, Iain Ferguson came closest to separating the sides when his venomous effort crashed off the woodwork (those Hampden posts again!) but the match would end in stalemate forcing a replay a week later.

Motherwell were immediately written off. “Celtic don’t lose replays” they all said. But they were wrong!

In an epic encounter, Celtic went ahead and ‘Well desperately struggled to stay in touch. Out of the blue, Dougie Arnott equalised but by the break the Parkhead side lead once more. Into the second half and Arnott netted his second of the night with momentum swinging completely Motherwell’s way. Colin O’Neill sent the Motherwell support wild with the goal of his life, rifling home from all of 40 yards, before Stevie Kirk put the seal on things in the dying moments with a deft finish to see the Steelmen into their first Scottish Cup Final for almost 40 years.

The events of 18th May 1991 remain etched in the memory of all fortunate enough to be present at what was heralded as the greatest ever Scottish Cup Final. As per the semi-final just a few weeks earlier it was another Hampden classic with Iain Ferguson heading Motherwell ahead only for Dundee Utd to level. Goals from Phil O’Donnell and Ian Angus appeared to put ‘Well on easy street but of course goalkeeper Ally Maxwell was suffering from what was later discovered to be a ruptured spleen and back came the Terrors to reduce the deficit then level in injury time. Step forward super-sub Stevie Kirk to head home Motherwell’s winner in extra-time leaving Tom Boyd’s last duty as Motherwell captain to lift the Cup aloft to the ecstatic Motherwell supporters after the 4-3 victory.

It would be more than a decade before the club would enjoy another Cup run of note when season 02’03 provided a hugely enjoyable run to the Scottish Cup semi-final for Terry Butcher’s youthful side. The run was only ended at the semi-final stage by Rangers who narrowly triumphed 4-3 with Motherwell having been 2-1 ahead and passing up a great opportunity to go 3-1 up before the interval.

Butcher’s side would go one better two years later making it to the final of the League Cup where again Rangers awaited. Having seen off Morton, Inverness and Livingston, all away from home, ‘Well were drawn to face Hearts in the semi-final.

With the tie scheduled to be played in the capital, there was an extra sense of motivation for all at Fir Park and the Steelmen roared out the traps going ahead through Stephen Craigan. Richie Foran’s penalty with around fifteen minutes left appeared to put ‘Well on the cusp of a Hampden final, but goals in the 85th and 90th minute from the Gorgie side took the tie to extra-time.

Somehow the Motherwell side managed to conjure up some extra reserves of courage and energy and refused to buckle under the onslaught by Hearts during the additional thirty-minutes. With time almost up and penalties looking inevitable, the game had a sting in the tale for the Tynecastle side when Marc Fitzpatrick burst through to score a dramatic 120th minute winner – sparking wild scenes of jubilation amongst the 5,000 or so ‘Well fans who had made it to Easter Road.

Perhaps the least said about the Final itself the better!

The following season also saw the Steelmen make it to the semi-final stages of the League Cup and lead through Richie Foran’s early goal. Sadly the tie would drift away from the Fir Parkers who, in another echo from the past, went out through a late goal that came following a rarely penalised free-kick inside the box for a pass-back.

Taking over from Craig Brown, Stuart McCall found himself in the rather fortunate position of having a League Cup semi-final to negotiate just a couple of weeks into his tenure. Whilst the tie against Rangers narrowly went against his side, it prepared them perfectly for a return to the national stadium later that same season in the Scottish Cup.

Dundee, Stranraer and Scottish Cup holders Dundee Utd were beaten as Motherwell made it through to face to St Johnstone at Hampden.

Even the most optimistic of Motherwell fans couldn’t have imagined the start of the semi-final going as it did with Stephen Craigan heading home after just five minutes, a wonderful run and finish from Jamie Murphy and a volley from John Sutton putting ‘Well 3-0 up at half-time.

Will we ever see the likes again?

The Steelmen comfortably saw out time to make it through to face Celtic, but once more another final against the Parkhead side would end in disappointment.

Let’s add a new story of success this coming Sunday!

For all supporters travelling with the club to the semi-final, we will have official car parking in the Purple Car Park at Hampden.

The Cooper Bar will open at 11am on Sunday for food and drink and will be open to all supporters travelling on club buses. For access, please show your bus ticket.

To create more space and allow more fans to join us at the pre-match party, we will have an additional bar area to the back of the Cooper Bar selling bottles and draft only.

Fans purchasing from this bar will have access to the Cooper concourse area to enjoy their drink.

Weather permitting, fans will be able to drink outside the Cooper concourse entrance too. Supporters will be able to consume alcohol within the footprint of the stadium. (It is an offence to consume drink outside the footprint of the stadium on the public footpaths, roads and also on the buses).

Kiosk 7 will be open and serving food, confectionery, soft drinks and hot drinks in this area.

Buses will leave in order of bus number from 12.20 at the bottom of Knowetop Avenue. Again, please show your bus ticket to gain access to your bus. Supporters must travel on the same bus to and from Hampden.

The Cooper Bar will reopen post-match.

We have limited bus tickets remaining so please contact us today on 01698 333 333 to book. Only £8pp.

‘Well skipper Carl McHugh hailed the hard-work around the club as he turned his sights to Sunday’s Betfred Cup semi-final.

The Irishman spoke to the press at Hampden this afternoon ahead of the showdown with Rangers, and the captain admitted he “can’t wait” to vie for a place in the final.

But he also added that him and his teammates are making sure to take one game at a time, with the focus now fully on Pedro Caixinha’s Rangers.

[pullquote][/pullquote]

“We’re all looking forward to it now and we’ve worked hard to get this far in the cup. It all started back here [at Hampden] in the group stages so we can’t wait to get going,” McHugh said.

“It’s been a positive atmosphere [among the squad] and we’re on the back of a few good results and that’s what we’ve done well this year – just taken it one game at a time.”

He added: “We’ve got full belief in ourselves and we know how we play, we know what we’re good at and everyone in the squad and at the club works hard from top to bottom and that’s been what’s got us our success this season – we just have to keep going and take it one game at a time.”

There are just three days to go until the Steelmen travel to Hampden for the Betfred Cup semi-final!

And ‘Well fans can buy and collect their tickets for the showdown now, with the Fir Park Ticket Office open until 6pm tonight (Thursday).

After a convincing 3-0 win over last years runners-up Aberdeen, supporters will be eagerly awaiting Sunday’s clash with Rangers at the National Stadium.

Join us in counting down the days until one of the biggest games of the season so far, and don’t forget you can get your travel tickets now too, with exclusive and official Hampden parking for just £8. Only one bus left!

The Cooper Bar with an additional bar and extended concourse drinking area will be open on Sunday ahead of the match at 11am, with last orders at 12.30 and buses due to leave at 12.45. Please show your bus ticket to gain entry.

Buses will be lined up in numerical order from the bottom of Knowetop Avenue with the Double Decker buses at the end.

Please show your bus ticket to gain access to your bus. Supporters must travel on the same bus to and from Hampden.

The Cooper Bar will reopen post-match.

Prices
Motherwell FC has been allocated over 10,000 seats with the option for more if required, with prices set at:

East Stand
Adults: £25
Concessions*: £10
Wheelchair User Adult: £10
Wheelchair User Concession: £5

South Stand
Lower Section J1: £35
Lower Section I: £30
Wheelchair User Adult: £15
Wheelchair User Concession: £5
*Concessions are listed as Over 65s and Under 16s.

Hospitality packages are now SOLD OUT.

Ticket Office opening hours
Thursday: 9-6
Friday: 9-4
Saturday: 10-2

‘Well boss Stephen Robinson is not playing down his sides semi-final clash with Rangers on Sunday, but insists he hopes to give the fans something to shout about.

The Northern Irishman admitted that, whilst his side have been billed as underdogs by the majority, that ethos does not exist within the Fir Parkers dressing room.

Speaking to the broadcast press this morning, Robinson looked ahead to Motherwell’s last-four showdown with the Glaswegian outfit.

And with a spot in the Betfred Cup final up for grabs, the manager admitted he does not need to worry about motivating his players.

[pullquote]A trip to Hampden, which we’re hoping to make sure isn’t the last one of our season, will hopefully give [the supporters] something to really shout about.[/pullquote]

“I don’t think you can play it down, it’s a big game for us and it’s one that we’re very much going to enjoy and we’ll enjoy the occasion,” he said.

“Playing-wise, I’ve never enjoyed a game that I’ve lost so our intention is to go there and make sure that we come out with a result.”

He added: “It would be huge for the football club because there have been a lot of years that we’ve spent fighting relegation and that’s all the fans have looked forward to.

“So a trip to Hampden, which we’re hoping to make sure isn’t the last one of our season, will hopefully give [the supporters] something to really shout about.”

“Rangers are a big club with some big players, but we’ll concentrate very much on ourselves.”

Buoyed by their 1950 League Cup success earlier in the season, Motherwell wasted no time in plotting a course back to the national stadium in the Scottish Cup. Peterhead, Hamilton and Ayr Utd (after a replay) were beaten in the early rounds of the 1951 Scottish Cup to set up a fourth game of the season against Hibernian.

The Hibees of course were the losers when ‘Well triumphed in the League Cup Final and were afforded an opportunity for revenge in the capital with 46,000 cramming into Tynecastle to witness an exciting semi-final. Kelly gave ‘Well an early lead before Hibs were reduced to ten-men through injury. They battled back to level before Kelly restored Motherwell’s lead before the interval. McLeod made it 3-1 to ‘Well before the Leith outfit reduced the deficit once more. It wasn’t to be however, and Motherwell were in their second cup final of the season.

More than 131,000 made it to Hampden as ‘Well sought to secure a momentous Cup double but it wasn’t to be as, not for the first time, or indeed the last, Celtic edged out the Steelmen in the Final.

Happily the Scottish Cup success that supporters of the Steelmen craved would not be long in coming with the old trophy finally wrapped in claret and amber ribbons in April 1952.

Forfar, St Mirren, Dunfermline (after a replay) and Rangers (also after a replay) in the match that attracted Fir Park’s largest ever attendance were beaten as Motherwell made it to the semi final. Hearts would be Motherwell’s opposition in an arduous contest that stretched over three games and was witnessed by a mind-boggling 238,000 spectators.

The first encounter saw ‘Well come from behind to draw 1-1 with Watson netting. In the replay, the roles would be reversed with the Gorgie side requiring to equalise Watson’s opener to retain their place in the competition, with not an even another thirty minutes of extra-time able to separate the sides.

Incredibly the teams were required to lock horns for a third time just two days later when to the great delight of the Fir Park faithful Motherwell were able to strike a telling blow. Goals from Kelly and Humphries appeared to put Stevenson’s men on the cusp of another final place but the capital outfit fought back doggedly with a goal to stay in the tie. Their luck was to be out however with Redpath’s last minute strike taking ‘Well through to the final.

Ten days later and Motherwell would be back at Hampden where they triumphed, beating Dundee 4-0 in front of more than 136,000 fans, and avenging a humiliating 5-1 League semi-final defeat from earlier in the season that had ended Motherwell’s hopes of retaining the League Cup.

Although Motherwell’s league form had been somewhat up and down in the early fifties there was no question the Steelmen were a terrific cup team and only a semi-final replay loss to Celtic in 1954 prevented the Fir Park side making another Hampden final.

The following season would see that rectified however as Motherwell made it to the 1954 League Cup Final. Escaping from a group containing St Mirren, Kilmarnock and Raith Rovers, Rangers were beaten over two-legs to set up a tie with the League Cup holders East Fife.

The Fifers took the lead at Hampden after just three minutes but the Steelmen would fight back and a double from Bain saw them into the Final. Unfortunately by the time the Final came around Motherwell found themselves with something of an injury crisis to contend with and were far from at full strength as they went down 4-2 to Hearts.

For the best part of the next three decades, semi-finals would prove to be tough going for those of a claret and amber persuasion with loss after loss leading supporters to wonder if their favourites would ever make a Hampden final again!

St Mirren (League Cup 1955), Clyde (Scottish Cup 1958), Rangers (Scottish Cup 1962), Celtic (Scottish Cup 1965), St Johnstone (League Cup 1969), Airdrie (Scottish Cup 1975), Rangers (Scottish Cup 1976), Celtic (Scottish Cup 1985), Celtic (League Cup 1986), Rangers (League Cup 1987) would all put the Steelmen to the sword in varying fashions. From questionable refereeing, to plucky losses, to Hampden’s square goal-posts – it appeared no matter the circumstances it seemed things just wouldn’t fall Motherwell’s way.

Even newly established tournaments such as the Texaco Cup would bring heartbreak when ‘Well lost out to Hearts in the last four in 1971.

Suddenly, in the early nineties, things dramatically changed for the better…

The referee for Sunday’s Betfred Cup semi-final clash with Rangers is Steven McLean.

It will be McLean’s first involvement with either side as he steps in to the middle for the showdown at Hampden Park.

The referee took charge on six occasions last term, three of which have fallen in 2017, including a midweek away win to Ross County, a 3-2 home loss against Dundee and, most relevantly, the 1-1 draw at Ibrox back in April.

Now one of Scotland’s most recognisable whistlers, ‘Well fans will be familiar with the 36-year old.

His overall record in charge of Motherwell reads sixteen wins, nine defeats and six draws from thirty-one matches.

In those games, ‘Well have scored 56 and conceded 51. 93 cautions have been dished out, 51 flashed at those wearing Claret and Amber.

Four players have been sent off, two for ‘Well (Fraser Kerr and Keith Lasley in the same match against Killie in February 2013).

McLean will be assisted by Graeme Stewart and Stuart Stevenson, with Alan Muir on Fourth Official duties.

The nest of the action from Rugby Park as Alfredo Agyemna strikes late to give the Under 20s a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock.

Under-20s boss Stephen Craigan believed his side were deserving of their victory against Kilmarnock in the Development League.

The Northern Irishman, who fielded a young team to face an experienced Killie side at Rugby Park, reflected on the 90-minutes at full time.

Speaking to MFC TV, the under-20s manager admitted he felt his side looked “comfortable”.

[pullquote]Yes we got a little bit of a break but I just felt for the effort and the energy the lads put in that we deserved a wee break, so I’m delighted with the three points.[/pullquote]

He said: “I think if we’re honest, over the piece, we deserved it but maybe it was more from our first half performance and the chances we created.

“I felt that the longer the game went on that we weren’t going to get beat and [apart from Barry’s slip at the end] I felt we were reasonably comfortable.”

He added: “Yes we got a little bit of a break but I just felt for the effort and the energy the lads put in that we deserved a wee break, so I’m delighted with the three points.”

Motherwell under-20s determination paid off as the youngsters grabbed a last-gasp winner against an experienced Kilmarnock side in the Development League. 

Alfie Agyeman’s late goal secured a fifth win in seven league games for the Steelmen – who have started the campaign in fine form.

Stephen Craigan’s young starting line up, including a start for goalscorer Agyeman and Luke Watt, currently on a development loan with Airdrie, was in stark contrast to the hosts, who included Scott Boyd, Chris Burke, Lee Erwin and Eamonn Brophy in their line up.

It was a dominant first half for the Steelmen, who controlled possession and created the best chances of the game despite going in to the break goalless.

James Scott had two one-on-one chances denied by Curtis Lyle in fairly quick succession and Agyeman nearly marked his spot in the starting eleven with a goal when his effort from distance flew just over the crossbar in the 25th minute.

Davie Turnbull tried his luck from range too but his goal bound effort deflected over for a corner which ex-Well man Erwin managed to then hook clear.

Down the other end, Morrison enjoyed a quiet first period whilst Craigan’s youngsters continued to press for an opener.

And it nearly came in style, when Ross MacLean, Motherwell’s oldest player on the park at just 20 years of age, burst energetically through the middle of the park before striking a venomous effort on target, but Lyle was on hand to dive high to his left and palm away from goal, before smothering the loose ball at the second attempt.

The home side started stronger in the second half though, and nearly found themselves in front inside the first minute.

Some neat work from Burke nearly led to the opener when the midfielders cross ricocheted wide of Morrison’s near post.

A few minutes later, Higgins headed on to the roof of the net from a corner before Brophy glanced a headed effort narrowly wide as Morrison continued to have a fairly quiet night in the Motherwell goal.

The Fir Parkers started to get a hold on the game though against their experienced opponents and a fortunate opportunity fell the visitors way when a miscommunication at the back led Lyle to mistakingly pick up a back pass and gift ‘Well an indirect freekick just yards wide of the six-yard box.

With the angle too tight to work a shot, the ball was rolled to the more central Livingstone just inside the box, but the youngster couldn’t keep it down and a decent chance went a begging.

The home side looked to improve things by withdrawing Lee Erwin, who was kept quiet all night by the Fir Parkers back line, and bringing on Innes Cameron.

Craigan made some changes too, brining on Dylan Falconer and 16-year-old Jamie Semple in place of James Scott and Luke Watt, who picked up a knock.

And teenager Semple looked sharp as soon as he was introduced, linking neatly with his fellow substitute Falconer down the left flank before clipping in a neat cross which Lyle did well to read and pluck out of the air.

It looked like the hosts were set to stage a repeat of their late winner the last time Motherwell under-20s made the trip to Rugby Park, when Maguire’s first mishap of the evening fell kindly for Brophy just four yards out, but somehow the 21-year-old miscued his effort well wide.

That allowed 17-year-old Agyeman to punish the hosts down the other end with the last kick of the ball, side-footing past Lyle courtesy of a slight deflection as Craigan’s side moved to within a point of Development League leaders Dundee with a game in hand.