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  • First team

    Keith Lasley looks ahead to Dumbarton

  • Club

    Sponsorless shirts as Paddy Power become main sponsor

  • First team

    Dumbarton provide next Betfred test

  • First team

    Highlights as Motherwell beat Morton

  • First team

    Manager: There’s more to come

  • First team

    Motherwell hit four past Morton

  • First team

    Rohan Ferguson loaned to Linfield

  • First team

    Manager speaks ahead of Morton

  • Club

    Robinson and Lasley sign new contracts

  • First team

    Watch a live stream of Motherwell v Morton

  • First team

    Keith Lasley looks ahead to Dumbarton

    Keith Lasley spoke on Motherwell’s strong start to the season, making changes for the trip to Dumbarton and signing a new deal when he addressed the press on Monday.

    Here’s the best quotes from his press conference.

    On the start to the season

    “It’s been encouraging. Good start. A lot of new faces and a big turnaround in the squad.

    “But the guys who have come in have worked hard and blended in with the group we had there already.

    “It’s been an encouraging start. We know it’s early days.

    “But certainly in terms of players taking on information and getting themselves ready physically for what we know is going to be a tough season ahead. I think it’s been encouraging.

    “So, we keep going. Another tough game on  Tuesday night at Dumbarton. We keep the process going  of getting through this League Cup first and foremost. That’s the main target. Then obviously with a few to starting the league campaign.”

    On making changes for the trip to Dumbarton

    “We’ve got a competitive squad. A really competitive squad.

    “The guys that have not started are really chapping at the door. We put a big emphasis on that here.

    “It’s not about the 11. It’s about the guys behind there, driving the guys on lucky enough to get those shirts.

    “There will be some changes in the next couple of games. But it won’t be for change’s sake. It will be guys that are deserving of a chance and really pushing to nail down a first team jersey.

    “A good indication of that were the  substitutes the other night. The subs that came on –  Grimmy, Christian and Barry Maguire – came on and you wouldn’t have known there was any change there. If anything, they came on and enhanced the game.

    “There’s guys that are ready,It’s testament to how they train, how the group trains as a whole. I think when we are at our best, that is the case at this club.Everybody is pulling together and ready to take their opportunity when they get it.

    “So yeah, there will be changes. But it will be done for the right reasons. It’s guys that are really hungry to come in and make an impact.

    On signing a new deal

    “It’s not a word that you associate with football a lot is it? Stability?

    “Delighted to be given the opportunity to be able to continue working alongside the manager. It’s a couple of years now.

    “In that time,  there’s been a lot of progress made. As always, there’s big squad turnarounds. Every year presents its own challenges. Certainly since I’ve came into the job.

    “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. It has been challenging, but certainly the experience of working alongside the manager, who has done a fantastic job, has been great for me.

    “I just want to continue learning and I am delighted I have been given the opportunity to do that.”

  • Club

    Sponsorless shirts as Paddy Power become main sponsor

    Sponsorless shirts as Paddy Power become main sponsor

    Motherwell Football Club will wear sponsorless jerseys in the 2019/20 season, thanks to Paddy Power coming on board as our main sponsor.

    We’re now part of the betting firm’s Save Our Shirt campaign, dedicated to removing sponsor logos from the front of jerseys.

    Having launched the campaign with Huddersfield Town last week, our club is the next to benefit from the initiative. The front of both our home and away jerseys will be sponsor-free for the duration of the season.

    The deal with Paddy Power is the largest in Motherwell FC’s history, and it is a massive boost to the club to be linking up with such a prominent and innovative brand.

    Our 2019/20 home kit is now available to buy online or in store.

    “We’re delighted to be associated with Paddy Power’s Save Our Shirt campaign,” Motherwell chairman Jim McMahon said.

    “This partnership represents our biggest shirt sponsorship in history, and the chance to team up with a renowned brand. It’s a fantastic achievement by our commercial team to get them on board.

    “Paddy Power are forward thinking and innovative, and it is a mark of how our fan-owned club is perceived in the world that we were able to attract such a high-calibre partner.

    “We thank them for their support and look forward to working with them over the course of the season.”

    Paddy Power will also be our official gaming partner for the 2019/20 season.

    Spokesman Paddy Power said: “Motherwell are the second club to join the Save Our Shirt campaign, which sees us give something back to the fans – namely, their shirt.

    “We’re delighted that The Well are joining in the fun for the upcoming campaign and we’ve been impressed with their ability to keep their involvement top secret, despite all the noise of the past week.

    “We’ve been planning this with them for months, and it feels great to finally unveil their involvement and their beautiful home and away kits for next season.”

    “We know our place, and it’s not on your shirt.”

    For more information on the Save Our Shirt campaign, go to saveourshirt.co.uk.

  • First team

    Dumbarton provide next Betfred test

    Dumbarton provide next Betfred test

    With six points from six so far in the Betfred Cup group stage, Motherwell head to Dumbarton on Tuesday night in pursuit of another win.

    A 3-0 win over Queen of the South on matchday one was followed up by a 4-0 home victory over Morton on Friday, with a performance which has got the Fir Park faithful excited for what lies ahead.

    Fans can pay at the gate for £12 for adults and £6 for concessions. Motherwell fans will be accommodated in the west side of the main stand at the ground. Turnstiles are signposted for away fans.

    Tale of the tape

    Motherwell sit top of Betfred Cup group E on six points, having played two matches. Queen of the South are the nearest challengers on five, but they have played a game more.

    Dumbarton are second bottom in the group with three games played. A 1-0 away win at Annan in their first game was followed up by a 6-1 defeat at Morton, and then a 4-1 loss at home to Queens at the weekend.

    Team news

    Motherwell wait on news on Christopher Long and Devante Cole, who both missed the win over Morton.

    David Turnbull (knee), Craig Tanner (knee) and Casper Sloth (compassionate leave) will all miss the match.

    Getting there

    Dumbarton advise on the following directions for travelling to the C&G Systems Stadium.

    If travelling by car, you should follow the A814 into the town from the main A82 trunk road. Journey along Glasgow Road until you see Dumbarton East Station. Then, 100 yards or so along from the station, you will see a brown sign for the Castle (Victoria Street) and the ground is at the bottom of this road.

    By train, Dumbarton East Station is approximately five minutes walk from the stadium.

    Can’t make it? Listen live

    Wherever you are in the world, there’s live audio commentary available from the match.

    Just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk and subscribe. Packages start at just £12 a month if you’re abroad, or £5.99 if you’re in the UK/Ireland. You get every home Ladbrokes Premiership game live as part of the deal, as well as the majority of away matches.

  • First team

    Highlights as Motherwell beat Morton

    James Scott grabbed a double, with Jermaine Hylton and Liam Donnelly also netting, as Motherwell went top of their Betfred Cup group with a 4-0 home win over Greenock Morton.

  • First team

    Manager: There’s more to come

    “We’re only at the start of this. There’s a lot of improvement still to come.”

    Stephen Robinson speaks as Motherwell beat Morton 4-0 in the Betfred Cup group stage.

  • First team

    Motherwell hit four past Morton

    Motherwell hit four past Morton

    Motherwell topped their Betfred Cup group with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Morton at Fir Park.

    James Scott grabbed a double, before Jermaine Hylton and Liam Donnelly added further strikes to put further gloss on the win.

    With five summer signings making their home debut, it was an early opportunity for them to impress the Fir Park fans and the BT Sport viewers at home.

    And almost immediately Sherwin Seedorf, with some deft touches and a fierce turn of pace, caught the eye.

    After Morton had a couple of attempts wide of Mark Gillespie’s goal, Seedorf cleverly played in Scott. From a tight angle he forced the first save from Sam Ramsbottom.

    ‘Well’s teenage striker came closer a minute later when he redirected Jake Carroll’s powerful drive, with the ball clipping the top of the crossbar.

    In the 17th minute, Seedorf decided to go it alone and when his first angled drive was parried by Ramsbottom, the Dutchman fired in the rebound, producing a terrific save from the Morton ‘keeper.

    There was no surprise when the Steelmen opened the scoring five minutes later – with Seedorf the provider.

    Liam Polworth, who showed some wonderful vision and passing, released the flying Dutchman, who sped into the box. He squared the ball across goal, leaving Scott with a simple tap in to open his account for the season.

    Scott should have made it a double on the half hour mark, when a perfectly weighted pass from Polworth sent the striker through on goal. But once inside the box, he dithered allowing Jim McAllister to clear the danger.

    At the other end of the pitch Gillespie was totally idle until a minute from the break. Former ‘Well striker John Sutton slipped the ball in front of Aidan Nesbitt and from the angle of the six yard box, his snap shot forced the ‘Well ‘keeper to stab out a foot to divert the ball away from goal.

    Fifteen minutes into the second half and seeking a second goal to kill the tie, Scott tried his luck with a dipping drive from 35 yards which forced Ramsbottom to push the ball over his bar. From the resultant well-worked corner, Polworth played the ball in front of Seedorf, who fired it narrowly over.

    That was the last action for the impressive winger who was replaced by Christian Ilic.

    As the Fir Park side continued to press the game towards the visitor’s goal, Hylton cut inside to fire a low drive from the corner of the box which the ‘keeper was glad to beat away.

    The Morton goal was finally breached for a second time after 66 minutes. Scott worked a neat one-two with Polworth at the edge of the box and, after taking a touch, the striker slammed the ball down the middle of the goal for his second of the night.

    A thundering drive from Allan Campbell forced another fine save from Ramsbottom but the Morton ‘keeper was helpless when ‘Well made it 3-0 after 76 minutes.

    Hylton showed quick feet to create space at the edge of the box, before curling a low shot beyond the ‘keeper and inside his right post to make it two goals in two games.

    Another quality goal arrived nine minutes from time. Ilic showed great skills on the left before floating over a teasing cross. Ramsbottom could only palm the ball out to Scott and although his effort was blocked, Liam Donnelly rammed the rebound home to make it four.

    Croatian midfielder Ilic came close to making it five when he collected a pass from Scott, stepped inside his marker only to see his low drive cleared off the line.

    Perhaps promisingly, ‘Well had to settle for a 4-0 win over Morton, a repeat of the scoreline at the same stage two years ago, when the Fir Park men progressed all the way to the Betfred Cup Final.

  • First team

    Rohan Ferguson loaned to Linfield

    Rohan Ferguson loaned to Linfield

    Rohan Ferguson is to join Northern Irish side Linfield on loan for the 2019/20 campaign, subject to international clearance.

    The goalkeeper, who made his Motherwell debut last season against Aberdeen at Pittodrie, joins the Danske Bank Premiership champions, with the option for him to be recalled in January.

    Ferguson, 21, will immediately be in contention to play for David Healy’s side in their UEFA Europa League second qualifying round match away to HB Torshavn next Tuesday.

    “We think it is important for Rohan to get back playing regular first team football again,” manager Stephen Robinson said of the move.

    “He obviously enjoyed significant game time when he first broke through at Airdrie, and Craig Hinchliffe has worked with him extensively over the last year.

    “However, there is significant competition for places at the moment with Mark Gillespie, Trevor Carson and Peter Morrison also vying for two spots.

    “This is a chance for him to fight for a number one spot and allow us to monitor how he develops.”

    Everyone at Motherwell wishes Rohan all the best during his time at Windsor Park.

  • First team

    Manager speaks ahead of Morton

    Stephen Robinson, fresh from signing a new contract, talks about the job of being boss, transfer targets and taking on tricky Championship opposition on Friday night.

    Motherwell host Greenock Morton in the second match of the Betfred Cup group stage, with both teams having won their opening fixtures.

    On signing a new contract

    ” I think it was always going to get sorted out. We’ve had a busy summer.A lot of things [have] been happening. So it’s good.

    “I’m very happy to commit my future It’s a fantastic football club.  People have been very good to me.It’s worked well and I still see us moving
    forward and developing.

    “We’ve got to cup finals.  We’ve developed a lot of young playersFinancially we’ve brought a lot of money into the football club that has put us on a steady footing.We are looking to keep doing that.

    “On the pitch is my main concentration to try keep moving us forward, keep developing our young players and bring in more exciting players to sell.

    “There’s lot of issues you’ve got to deal with as a manager. As I say, this is a football club that people do things together. I’ve got total support from the board.  The fans have been terrific with me.It does make life easier when that’s the case.

    “The model of the football club is to develop young players and sell them. And to make sure we keep trying to bring in good value players that we can create assets from. The football club exists on selling players. We don’t have a massive owner. We are fan-owned. And it has to be that case.

    “It’s frustrating at times because you think you’ve built a really good side and then it gets broken up. This is probably the third squad we’ve put together again with eight or nine players. It’s a challenge. It’s one that I very much enjoy. And there are no surprises. We know that’s going to happen.

    “Obviously within our coaching staff and playing staff we bring in, we’ve aspirations of getting into that top six and pushing on and still trying to play the football we played in the last six months of the season.”

    On transfer targets

    “We’ve got to a stage now where it has to be a starter we bring in.We don’t want a squad player.

    “We don’t want the same as what we’ve got. It has to be somebody who is going to be a starter who is going to be better than what we’ve got.

    “We’ve built our squad. We are happy with our squad. Now we are just looking maybe for that final bit of the jigsaw.

    “If it doesn’t come, I’m more than happy with what we’ve done.”

    On facing Greenock Morton

    “I think we always had that gameplan against  Queen of the South, that we would bring the two boys on.

    “When you bring the boys up from England, they are behind. It’s getting that right balance between giving them the game time and making sure they don’t get injured. That’s the difficult one for us.

    “We have got some decent players, we’ve got some very good young players who are on the verge of things. James Scott has been starting. David Devine, Adam Livingstone, Jamie Semple who started as well.

    “[That is] as well as the wide players we’ve got. Ilic has come in, he’s only been in the club a few days. He will get better and better.

    “Casper Sloth, we’ve given some time off for family reasons. I think once we get him going, over a period of time he will be a good asset as well.”

  • Club

    Robinson and Lasley sign new contracts

    Robinson and Lasley sign new contracts

    Stephen Robinson and Keith Lasley have agreed new contracts with Motherwell Football Club.

    The management team have signed until 2022, adding two years to their respective deals, which were due to expire at the conclusion of the 2019/20 season.

    Under their guidance, the club has reached both the Scottish and Betfred Cup finals, as well as narrowly missing out on the top-six in each of the last two seasons.

    The club has also generated significant revenue in player sales through players developed through their coaching, as well as progressing a significant number of players from the youth academy to regular first team football.

    “The board is delighted both Stephen and Keith have extended their contracts at the club,” Motherwell FC chairman Jim McMahon said.

    “We set clear targets for the management of our football club. Firstly, we ask them to put out a competitive team on the park every weekend.

    “We also ask that the to recruit and improve players, and marry that with developing and progressing our own young talent from the academy into the first team.

    “Effective player trading is also a big part of any football club. But for our fan-owned and fan-funded club, it is vital.

    “Both of them have pushed tirelessly to achieve those goals and we are delighted with what they have accomplished so far.

    “They have created a true culture at our club of hard work and continual improvement, an ethic that is evident in everyone they come into contact with.

    “We are excited to work closely with them as they continue their efforts for the betterment of Motherwell Football Club going forward.”

    Since his appointment in March 2017, Robinson has taken charge of over 100 games as Motherwell boss. He was joined in the dugout by Lasley in the summer of 2017, with the former ‘Well player retiring after 481 matches as a player.

    In the 2018/19 season, 8,181 minutes were given to players aged under 21 produced by the club’s academy, more than any other club in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

    “I’m delighted to have committed my future to the club,” said Robinson.

    “The club have been very good with me and we all feel we can keep pushing the club forward.

    “We work within certain parameters, but we feel we have had relative success in achieving our goals. I’m delighted to be staying.”

    Assistant manager Lasley added: “I’m obviously very happy to be continuing with the club. I’ve had a long association with Motherwell and I’m delighted to be able to continue working here.

    “I’ve learned a lot with the manager as I continue my development as a coach, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

  • First team

    Watch a live stream of Motherwell v Morton

    Watch a live stream of Motherwell v Morton

    Motherwell face Greenock Morton at home on Friday night in their first game at Fir Park of the 2019/20 season.

    Stephen Robinson’s men are already a match into the Betfred Cup group stage campaign, having defeated Queen of the South 3-0 away from home last weekend.

    Kick off on Friday is at 7.45pm and, if you’re outside the UK/Ireland, you can watch the game live on our streaming service.

    To subscribe for £12 a month, head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk. All home Ladbrokes Premiership games are available on the service, as well as the majority of away matches.

    If you’re in the UK/Ireland, you can get live audio commentary from every game, including Friday’s match with Morton for just £5.99 a month.