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  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Loan report: Goals and clean sheets for youngsters

  • First team

    Craig Hinchliffe on life with six goalkeepers

  • First team

    Next up: St Johnstone

  • Club

    Davie Cooper inducted to Hall of Fame

  • First team

    Motherwell draw St Johnstone in Betfred Cup

  • Women

    ‘Well claim SWPL1 win over Hearts

  • Club

    Stress and emotional eating e-clinic from Paycare

  • Women

    Hearts next in SWPL1

  • First team

    Gallagher and O’Donnell make Scotland history

  • First team

    Inside Motherwell // Overcoming October’s obstacles

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Loan report: Goals and clean sheets for youngsters

    Loan report: Goals and clean sheets for youngsters

    Motherwell’s young loanees have been in action across the international break.

    With Betfred Cup and Lowland League matches continuing, there was a chance for the four fit players to get valuable game time. Harry Robinson is currently injured.

    Ross MacIver

    The forward got a big goal for his club Greenock Morton in the Renfrewshire Derby match with St Mirren.

    The game – the first of two Betfred Cup ties for the Ton – saw the player climb off the bench in the 60th minute and then score immediately to level the tie at 1-1.

    He also scored his penalty in the shootout for a bonus point in the group stage fixture, but his side lost out 6-5.

    Ross’ award would be a start in the crucial trip to face Partick Thistle in the final match, where a win could potentially send the Championship team through to the knockout stages.

    However, a 0-0 draw and a loss in the shootout would ensure they finished fourth in their group.

    Jamie Semple

    A trip to Dundee in Cove Rangers’ penultimate group stage match would prove a stern test, even for a side flying high in League One.

    Jamie played the first 45 minutes as his team went in 1-0 down at the break, before eventually succumbing to a 3-0 loss through two goals in the last five minutes.

    An appearance from the bench with 25 minutes left would come next for the midfielder in their final home match with Forfar Athletic.

    Rory McAllister’s penalty two minutes after Semple’s introduction would prove the difference, but Cove’s elimination from the competition was already secured.

    A trip to face Falkirk – and come face to face with fellow loanee PJ Morrison – lies in wait this weekend.

    PJ Morrison

    Falkirk had one remaining Betfred Cup match over the international period – a trip to face fellow League One side Dumbarton.

    Victory would put the Bairns in with the chance of progression to the knockout stages as an unseeded team and they did exactly that, routing the Sons 4-0.

    The win would give PJ the clean sheet, to add to his penalty save in the 2-2 draw at Partick Thistle last weekend. And the reward for progression for Falkirk was a home tie with Rangers in the last 16.

    Sam Muir

    A win and a defeat would come for Gretna 2008 in the Lowland League, defeating Caledonian Braves 5-0 away and then losing 1-0 at Civil Service Strollers.

    Central defender Sam was an unused sub for the game against the Braves, before coming on for the last five minutes in the second match.

  • First team

    Craig Hinchliffe on life with six goalkeepers

    Motherwell’s goalkeeper coach Craig Hinchliffe has had plenty of challenges of the 2020/21 season so far.

    Having started the season with Trevor Carson as number one and Scott Fox as his deputy, the team have had to contend with injury to both, as well as trying to get vital experience for youngsters PJ Morrison and Matty Connelly.

  • First team

    Next up: St Johnstone

    Next up: St Johnstone

    A trip to St Johnstone kicks off a run of games which takes us through to the close of 2020.

    If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game is available to buy on a pay-per-view basis from St Johnstone for £17.50.

    International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

    Kick-off on Saturday at McDiarmid Park is at 3pm.

    Tale of the tape

    Motherwell have won three of the last five encounters between the two sides, with St Johnstone winning the other two.

    An early Allan Campbell goal was the difference in the last meeting in September this year.

    At McDiarmid Park last time out, a last-minute Chris Kane goal broke Motherwell hearts in a 2-1 victory.

    Form guide

    Motherwell have won three of their last five Scottish Premiership fixtures, with defeats coming against Celtic and Rangers.

    St Johnstone were in Betfred Cup action during the international break, drawing with Dundee United and then winning 3-1 at Peterhead to top their group, and set up a last 16 clash with the Steelmen.

    Watch live

    If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game is available to buy on a pay-per-view basis from St Johnstone for £17.50.

    International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

  • Club

    Davie Cooper inducted to Hall of Fame

    Davie Cooper inducted to Hall of Fame

    Our third inductee to the Motherwell FC Hall of Fame in 2020 is Davie Cooper.

    The 1991 Scottish Cup winner joins John Hunter and Andy Paton in this year’s intake.

    We will honour the class of 2020 with a unique virtual induction event this winter by means of a special live, free-to-air, online event.

    We are also once again asking the fans to pick our fifth inductee.

    You can join in the vote by nominating any individual from any era in Motherwell’s past – player, manager or official – who you think is worthy of being included in the 2020 class.

    Click here to vote for who you want to see in the Motherwell FC Hall of Fame.


    Born in Hamilton on 25 February 1956, it is fair to say Davie Cooper would become one of the most popular post-war Scottish football players ever.

    He joined Motherwell in 1989 for £50,000, having lost his place at Rangers amid the bankrolled Graeme Souness era, and seemingly near the end of a most successful career. It was not to be and in his twilight years at Fir Park, he revealed himself to be a quite extraordinary player, whose guile and skill more than made up for his advancing years.

    The then-Motherwell manager Tommy McLean signed the prodigious and obvious talent for a relatively small fee, which history will tell you now was a stroke of genius. McLean had chased Cooper for some time, knowing fine that he would be the cherry on top of the workmanlike squad he had built to maintain the clubs’ status in the top flight of Scottish football.

    Those who thought Cooper was going to North Lanarkshire merely to play out his years were proved spectacularly wrong as he arguably produced some of the best football of his entire career whilst at Fir Park.

    All the wizardry and accuracy that characterised his time at Ibrox seemed undiminished by his veteran status. He was still the master of the dribble and, even more so, the weighted pass. Subtle tricky and endearing, he was a player fans of both sides could warm to.

    His debut in claret and amber came at Rugby Park in a midweek League Cup tie in August 1989. His performance was as good any he would produce for the club. Motherwell fans were aghast as Cooper set up three of the four goals the Steelmen scored that evening, as Kilmarnock were brushed aside 4-1.

    His first game at Fir Park turned out to be equally entertaining. Cooper again was the main man, being the architect of a 3-1 win over St. Mirren with two goals for Nick Cusack, and a clincher from Stevie Kirk.

    He continued to inspire those around him. He was the lynchpin of a terrific showing at Fir Park in September when Dundee were swept aside 3-0 with Cooper scoring his first-ever goal for the Steelmen. Attendances began to rise as the Lanarkshire public warmed to the Hamilton man. When Rangers came calling four days after the Dundee match, that warming grew into unconditional love for the winger.

    The big-spending Glasgow giants were humbled as the Steelmen went top of the league, as Cooper combined with another former Ger, Bobby Russell, to create and score the winner on a memorable night under the Fir Park lights.

    October saw another Cooper masterclass when Dundee United were defeated in a five-goal thriller. The national press began to speculate on whether Davie should be included in the Scotland squad for a vital upcoming World Cup qualifier against Norway. As it happens, he was included and produced a man of the match performance as the Scots won 3-1 to secure a place at Italia 90.

    Domestically, he would score seven times in his first season, a couple of which secured a draw at home to Aberdeen in another pulsating affair as Ne’erday approached. Motherwell finished a comfortable mid-table in a 10-team division, which most fans were happy with, hoping it would be a springboard to success in campaign 1990/91.

    Davie was integral to everything Motherwell produced that following season, missing only two league games, scoring another five times as the Steelmen replicated the previous year’s performance with a similar position in the final league table. Where the league form could be labelled workmanlike, the Scottish Cup seemed to spark the players into life.

    Cooper inspired a cup run that will never be forgotten around Lanarkshire. He was integral to the exciting victories over Aberdeen, Falkirk and Morton before being suspended for the two semi-final ties against Celtic, largely due to his inability to button his lip with match officials.

    Of course, he was back in the side come that wonderful day in May 1991.

    His presence and experience undoubtedly gave the confidence to his teammates and the belief that they could lift the Scottish Cup for the first time in 39 years.

    That belief turned to reality as goals from Ian Ferguson, Phil O’Donnell, Ian Angus and Stevie Kirk brought joy, not only to the 35,000 Motherwell fans on the slopes of Hampden Park but those with claret and amber in their hearts watching from afar.

    Despite approaching his mid-30s, Davie only missed five games of the 50 Motherwell played the following season, scoring five times. Two of these came in a great 2-0 win over St. Mirren at Love Street in early November. He, of course, was also part of the first-ever Motherwell side to take part in European competition on 18 September 1991 in Poland against GKS Katowice. The 2-0 defeat that day was witnessed by a sizeable support from Scotland and would’ve been bigger, had two supporter buses not missed all but ten minutes of the tie.

    The second leg witnessed a sublime display from Cooper as he dazzled under the Fir Park floodlights. Over 10,000 fans roared the home side on from the kickoff as the Steelmen looked to overturn the first-leg deficit.

    After incessant pressure, the visitors fell behind when a sumptuous pass from Cooper set Kirk up, who finished with aplomb. Early into the second half though, the Steelmen were caught with a breakaway and Katowice equalised on the night briefly silencing the home support.

    Back ‘Well roared back with Cooper at the helm, as he crossed first for Nick Cusack to score, and then minutes later for Stevie Kirk to notch his second of the evening. Despite the atmosphere reaching fever pitch, Motherwell failed to score for a fourth time, and we were eliminated on the dreaded away goals rule.

    Davie’s final full season at the club was the 1992/93 campaign. However, it proved to be something of a disappointment for the fans, again allowed Coop to display his talents time after time. Incredibly for his age, and position he played, Cooper was the only ever-present Motherwell player that season, turning out in all 46 competitive matches. Indeed, his final goal in our colours came in the April of that season at Fir Park against Celtic, in a memorable 2-0 win over the Glasgow side.

    After the summer of 1993, it became apparent that Cooper’s appearances for the club would be mostly from the bench. Indeed, his final sighting in a Motherwell kit was as a substitute in mid-December, contributing to a terrific 3-2 win at Tynecastle Park over an excellent Hearts team, with goals from Tommy Coyne, twice, and Rab McKinnon.

    With his chances of regular football at Fir Park diminishing somewhat, Davie decided to continue playing, and more significantly perhaps contributing, to football matches, and returned to serve his first club, Clydebank.

    Many had assumed that Cooper’s move to Fir Park would see him treating the move as a form of early retirement. But Davie proved he was bigger and better than that by not only winning a Scottish Cup winner’s medal with Motherwell but also resurrecting his International career. In fact, had he not gone over on his ankle as he ran through Strathclyde Park shortly before the squad was announced, Cooper would’ve been the first-ever Motherwell player to play on the World Cup Finals stage in Italia ’90.

    In the 15 months since Davie had left Fir Park, life had been good with Motherwell narrowly losing out in a title fight with Rangers in 1994 and going toe to toe again with the Light Blues the following season eventually finishing runners-up.

    However, everything was put into perspective when news broke of Cooper collapsing at Broadwood Stadium in March 1995 whilst filming a television show and coaching youngsters.

    The following day as the Motherwell squad and fans were travelling through to Easter Road to take on Hibs in a vital league match, it was confirmed that Davie had passed away of a brain haemorrhage aged just 39.

    Given the impact he had had during his time in North Lanarkshire, quite understandably, neither the players nor the fans seemed capable getting themselves up for the game, and the home side ran out comfortable 2-0 winners. It is no exaggeration to say that the whole Scottish nation was both stunned and deeply saddened by his untimely death, as floral tributes were left at Ibrox, Fir Park and Kilbowie in abundance.

    The Motherwell FC board decided to name the newly constructed North Stand after him.

    Davie Cooper inspired a team of footballers and supporters of this club, giving everything he had for the cause. 165 appearances and 17 goals for Motherwell may be the facts and figures of his time at Fir Park, but they barely scratch the surface of his life and times at the club.

    His range of ball skills and sheer entertainment value made him instantly recognisable. Cooper was clearly a match-winner, a skilled craftsman and an almost unique talent. He had a cultured left foot, amazing dribbling skills, precision crosses and truly stunning dead-ball accuracy. He was a player that literally had you off your seat when on the ball, dictating play to his preferences, and his teams’ advantage.

    Motherwell has been fortunate to have a list of quite outstanding left wingers throughout history. From Bobby Ferrier, Johnny Aitkenhead and Pat Quinn are just some of the big names to have played in that position through the years.

    Cooper rightly deserves his position near the top of such a list for the way he almost single-handedly raised the spirits of the area and the perception of Motherwell Football Club within the game that his contribution is hard to measure subjectively.

    Off the pitch, he was a terrific ambassador for the football club and the wider community, contrary to the perceived “Moody Blue” persona which was portrayed during his time at Rangers.

    History will dictate that Davie Cooper’s legend is more famed for his stint at Ibrox and although his time with us may have been relatively short, no one could ever question the effect, nor the passion he had for this our club. A modern-day footballing genius and a man who inspired a group to achieve immortality.

  • First team

    Motherwell draw St Johnstone in Betfred Cup

    Motherwell draw St Johnstone in Betfred Cup

    Motherwell will face St Johnstone in the second round of the 2020/21 Betfred Cup.

    The last 16 of the competition will see the Steelmen host the Perth side.

    ‘Well were seeded for the draw, with our opponents topping their group.

    Ties are due to be played on the weekend of 28 and 29 November.

  • Women

    ‘Well claim SWPL1 win over Hearts

    ‘Well claim SWPL1 win over Hearts

    Motherwell picked up their first win of the SWPL1 season with a convincing 3-0 victory at Hearts on Sunday.

    Goals from Lori Gardner, Katie Rice and Chelsie Watson secured the three points on the road for Eddie Wolecki Black’ side in Edinburgh.

    An unchanged squad took to the pitch at the Oriam, where both teams were looking to get their first points on the board.

    Motherwell were the team who started the brighter, with Claire Adams and Georgie Crooks finding themselves with most of the ball.

    The better start turned into a lead when Kacey Watson won the ball on the left. A pass to captain Katie Rice saw her thread a perfectly timed and weighted ball through to the onrushing Gardner, who calmly slotted past the goalkeeper.

    Motherwell then continued to have the better of the play but with no real end product, with final passes and crosses only finding the Hearts ‘keeper.

    Hearts started to find themselves getting back into the game with some aggressive and direct balls. However, Ailey Tebbett was a match for everything they came up with.

    Then, 10 minutes before half-time, Rice intercepted a cross pass from the Hearts goalkeeper and slotted into an empty goal.

    The second half saw a change of shape from Hearts and a more of an even game, with both teams cancelling each other out with few chances for either.

    A momentary lack of concentration saw Tebbett having to deal with a one-on-one situation, spreading herself big to save the effort and pounce on the rebound to keep the score as it was.

    After that, Motherwell began to get a hold of the game. And with the game entering the final quarter, a free-kick was awarded after a handball on the edge of the box.

    Centre half Watson stepped up and expertly lifted the ball over the wall and into the top corner give the Hearts keeper no chance to stop it.

    The visitors held on to keep a clean sheet and most importantly all three points, their first of the season.

    Spartans lie in wait next Sunday at the Penny Cars Stadium in Airdrie.

    Motherwell: Tebbett, Connor (Reside), C Watson, Crooks (Roberts), Adams, Rice, Baillie, Sinclair (Swanson), Gardner, Callaghan (Skelton), K Watson.

    Subs not used: Pollard, Ramsay.

  • Club

    Stress and emotional eating e-clinic from Paycare

    Stress and emotional eating e-clinic from Paycare

    Stress and emotional eating are set to be explored in the next free e-clinic from Paycare Wellbeing.

    It’s part of a varied series of hour-long webinars, focused on a different aspect of mental health each time.

    Virtual attendees will be able to join the session, running from 10am to 11am on Thursday 26 November, to find out about current research, and tips around stress management.

    Topics to be covered include the effects of cortisol and weight loss on the body, emotional and binge eating, stabilising the blood sugar rollercoaster, and referral pathways for stress and eating disorders.

    Paycare’s wellbeing manager, Kerry B Mitchell, will be joined by friend of Paycare, guest speaker Laura Butler, a lifestyle intervention consultant and health coach.

    Kerry, a mental health first aid qualified trainer, said: “Our free sessions have been offering attendees lots of information, examples of best practice and plenty of time to ask questions about the topic.

    “Stress awareness is so important, especially mid-pandemic, and many companies and individuals will find themselves either directly or indirectly impacted by the pressures of 2020.

    “Our team also deliver a range of mental health training courses designed for companies who wish to delve further into wellbeing strategies and invest in their employees’ wellbeing.”

    Laura added: “Many of us recognise the link between stress and emotional or over-eating, feeling the need to comfort ourselves with food.

    “But what is often not talked about is the effect on our health when we eat in a stressed state and how certain foods can also make us feel stressed.

    “I am thrilled to have been asked by Paycare to discuss these topics at their upcoming e-clinic as when people have a better understanding of these, they can use this knowledge to transform their eating habits and overall wellbeing.”

    To book a place on the stress and emotional eating e-clinic, simply email wellbeing@paycare.org.

    For more information on upcoming e-clinics and themes, head to paycare.org/mhfa

    In addition to the webinars, Paycare Wellbeing is also extending its online offering  o complement its pre-pandemic face-to-face mental health training programme, which now includes a two-day virtual accredited MHFA course. Visit paycare.org/mhfa to find out more.

  • Women

    Hearts next in SWPL1

    Hearts next in SWPL1

    Motherwell travel to Hearts next in SWPL1.

    After giving champions Glasgow City a contest last weekend, Eddie Wolecki Black’s side head to the capital in search of their first points of the season.

    Kick-off on Sunday 15 November at the Oriam Performance Centre in Edinburgh is at 3.15pm.

    The game is closed to supporters.

    Tale of the tape

    The two sides have faced each other five times on competitive business, with all fixtures coming in SWPL2.

    Motherwell have won three of the encounters, drawing one and losing the other.

    Form guide

    Both sides have started the new SWPL1 season with three defeats, albeit it’s Hearts who sit bottom of the table on goal difference.

    A 5-1 opening day defeat at Rangers was followed by a 10-0 home loss to Celtic, and then a 3-0 loss at Forfar Farmington on Sunday.

    ‘Well also lost at Forfar on the first day, suffering a 4-2 defeat. That was then followed by home reversals at the hands of Hibernian and Glasgow City.

    Manager seeing progress

    “We showed last weekend against Glasgow City that we are very capable,” manager Eddie Wolecki Black said.

    “The average age of our team in that game was around 19 years old, so it’s even more of a credit that such a young group are acquitting themselves so well.

    “This is an opportunity now against Hearts to try get our first points on the board. We’ll be ready for it.”

  • First team

    Gallagher and O’Donnell make Scotland history

    Gallagher and O’Donnell make Scotland history

    Motherwell pair Declan Gallagher and Stephen O’Donnell made history with the Scotland national team on Thursday night.

    A penalty shootout victory in their play-off final away to Serbia clinched qualification for UEFA Euro 2020, ending the country’s 23-year wait to participate at a major tournament.

    Both players started the match in Belgrade, in which Scotland took a second-half lead through Ryan Christie.

    Luka Jovic’s 90th minute equaliser looked to have put the nation on a predictable path to glorious failure but Steve Clarke’s men held firm, and then prevailed 5-4 in the shootout.

    Both Motherwell men were at the heart of the action in a dogged, outstanding performance, with Gallagher in particular coping brilliantly up against £22m Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrović.

    Skipper Gallagher now has six Scotland caps whilst playing in claret and amber, drawing him level with Andy Weir as the joint fourth in Motherwell history, with only Hall of Famer George Stevenson (12), Willie Redpath (9) and Ian St John (7) ahead of him. Stephen O’Donnell has earned four (from a 15 cap haul) whilst at Fir Park, drawing him level with Tom Boyd, Pat Quinn and James McFadden.

    Scotland will face Croatia, Czech Republic and England in UEFA Euro 2020 in June 2021.

  • First team

    Inside Motherwell // Overcoming October’s obstacles

    This is the last month in ML1.

    There have been many challenges for Motherwell to overcome in recent weeks.

    October started with a second late cancellation of a Premiership match, with our game with St Mirren being called off with just hours to go. That meant for a dramatic last-minute change of plans – and a month-long wait for a match.

    Another man without playing time recently is Liam Donnelly. The influential midfielder was sidelined with a meniscus injury early in the season, leaving him on the sidelines for months. It also meant he missed the club’s UEFA Europa League fixtures, as well as Northern Ireland’s crucial UEFA Euro 2020 play-off ties.

    The return to action would eventually come on 24 October, as Ross County visited Fir Park. With Motherwell eager to get points on board after a slow start to the season, it would be a test of character against a team who won when the two faced on the opening day of the campaign.

    That home fixture would also see the loss of a second goalkeeper from the original squad which started 2020/21. Another meniscus injury, this time to Trevor Carson, would see him join Scott Fox on the sidelines.

    Aaron Chapman and Jordan Archer have been added, with young goalkeepers PJ Morrison and Matty Connelly also developing under the coaching of Craig Hinchliffe.

    A trip to Livingston ended the month and it also marked the 50th appearance of club captain Declan Gallagher.

    The central defender suffered a blip when he was sent off in the UEFA Europa League match away to Hapoel Beer-Sheva. But he has responded well to be part of the Scotland team which stands on the brink of qualification to UEFA Euro 2020.