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He joined in 2021 and instantly became a fan favourite. 

Kevin van Veen is adored by the Motherwell fans after his two year stint at the club has brought goals, flair and excitement so far.

Currently on 26 goals with three games remaining in the season, he is breaking all sorts of post-war records at Motherwell, which in turn meant he was nominated for the PFA player of the year.

Although eventually missing out to Celtic’s Kyogo, Van Veen will look back on this season as one of his most successful ones to date.

However, it wasn’t always plain sailing for the Dutchman who actually stepped away from football in his younger years. Despite this, he couldn’t shake the football bug and was eventually scouted in the lower leagues in Holland before joining the PSV academy where he nurtured his trade.

Now at 31, he is feeling better than ever and has had time to reflect on the support he has received from the Fir Park faithful which only spurs him on more to keep them excited at his performances.

Motherwell signed off the Reserve League campaign with a 1-2 win over Livingston.

The win at Tony Macaroni Stadium means the Steelmen finish second in the cinch Reserve League.

Jack Aitchison scored last week and was first on the scoresheet this week after half an hour. A ball into the box wasn’t properly cleared and the striker was on hand to apply the finish.

Daniel Hunter doubled the lead five minutes into the second half with a fine strike from 25 yards.

Livi pulled a goal back just moments later but Motherwell held on to claim all three points.

Motherwell:  Oxborough, Garcia, Blaney, Dunachie, Mugabi, Speirs, Wells, McKinstry, Aithchison, Hunter, O’Donnell

Motherwell subs: Bogan, McDermott, Ferrie, Gould, L. Ross, Adam, Tambwe

Our very own Max Johnston has been shortlisted for the Scottish Football Writers’ Association Young Player of the Year award. 

The 19-year-old spent the first half of the season on loan at Cove Rangers before returning to his parent club in January.

Scoring twice and assisting three times in 15 appearances for Motherwell this season, the youngster has quickly established himself as first choice right wing back under Stuart Kettlewell.

Alongside Johnston, the Writers association has Lyall Cameron of Dundee, Charlie Reilly of Albion Rovers and St Johnstone’s Adam Montgomery.

Only twice in Motherwell FC history has a player scooped the accolade.

David Turnbull won this award back in 2019, following in the footsteps of James McFadden, who won in season 2001/02 with Johnston now in contention to become the third player.

Kevin van Veen has been nominated for the PFA cinch Premiership player of the year. 

Voted by the players in the league, the Dutchman was the first Motherwell player in ten years to be named in the PFA team of the year.

Van Veen is one of four players nominated for the prestigious award, with the awards night taking place this coming Sunday.

Reo Hatate, Kyogo and Calum McGregor of Celtic are also up for the award.

Darren Randolph, Shaun Hutchinson, Nicky Law and Michael Higdon were all named in the 2012/13 team of the year however it would be only the latter who was nominated for the player of year.

Higdon scooped the award, having scored 27 goals throughout the course of the season.

Kevin van Veen has bolstered a similarly impressive tally this season, with the Dutchman sitting on 25 goals in all competitions with four games left to play.

Scoring in the last seven consecutive games, Van Veen has equalled Dixie Deans’ seven game consecutive goalscoring record in the 1968/69 season, however this was set in the second division.

The last player to score in seven consecutive games in the top flight, was Ian St John in 1959/60 campaign.

“To be nominated for the award is an incredible achievement in itself,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“Since my arrival, Kevin has shown determination, enthusiasm and 100% focus to everything that we have tried to do.

“We are lucky to have him leading the line up front but he is also an excellent team mate.

“When you look at the players who are also up for nomination, they are some of the best in the league.

“With the season that Kevin has had, he has every right to be in that illustrious group.

“I want to personally congratulate Kevin on this magnificent achievement.”

Van Veen’s prolific goalscoring form this season has seen him move into the top ten, all-time goalscorers at the club, just two goals behind James McFadden, despite playing 31 games fewer.

“It’s a real privilege to be up for the award,” Van Veen added.

“I said at the end of last season that I knew I could score more than I did in 2021/22 and I wanted to follow through on that.

“This season has been tricky for a number of reasons and the full team has had to really stick together throughout it all.

“There is a real togetherness at the club and that’s why I thank all my teammates, staff and fans, all of whom have helped me reach my targets this year. The support I have had this season has been incredible.

“I wouldn’t be nominated if it wasn’t for them.”

With Premiership football secured for next season, we are looking to finish the season as strongly as possible.

Season ticket holders are able to bring a friend for a fiver to our match with Ross County on Saturday 20 May.

This offer will be in operation in the John Hunter, Davie Cooper and Phil O’Donnell stands.

To take advantage of this offer, please follow the online steps below:

• Visit our ticketing platform by clicking here
• Sign-in
• Select ‘All Events’ at the top right-hand side of the page and then ‘All Matches’
• Select your seat.
• Add ‘Bring a Friend’ ticket to your basket.
• Complete the checkout process.

Your additional ticket will be sent via email for you to pass to your chosen friend.  Alternatively, you can print at home.

Prior to the match, the club and Motherwell FC Community Trust are hosting a joint family fun day at the front of the Phil O’Donnell stand.

Free to all attending the match, the family fun will begin at 12pm and will run until 30 minutes before kick-off.

Come down early and enjoy:

• Giant inflatables
• Beat the goalie
• Face painting
• Meet players

We travel to Perth to take on St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Saturday 13 May.

Kick-off is 3pm.

Tickets

Supporters are able to buy tickets online here.

Ticket Office open from 9am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility

Travel information

Due to the ongoing roadworks outside Tesco on the A85 Crieff Road, all Motherwell supporters are encouraged to take the following route to McDiarmid Park on Saturday:

Visiting Buses, coaches and cars are to head north from Broxden Roundabout to Inveralmond Roundabout.

Take the 4th exit signposted ’football traffic”

Take the first slip road signposted “Crieff/Crianlarich (A85) & Perth A85”

At the traffic lights, turn left and take the filter lane turning right through the blue North Gate at McDiarmid Park where stewards will direct you to the West side of the artificial pitch.

Ticket Prices

• • Ticket sales are online only (with the exception of the wheelchair & PA tickets – see attached).
  • Disabled/ambulant supporters must be in receipt of PIP/DLA and will be asked to verify this when purchasing online.
  • Personal assistant tickets cannot be added to an order without the age appropriate ambulant disabled ticket being added first.
  • U12 tickets cannot be purchased without an adult/concession ticket (max 2 x U12 per order), the adult/concession ticket must be added first.

How to follow game online

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.

Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only.

The Story of the Match

Saturday’s fine win over Kilmarnock gives Motherwell a nine point cushion over the relegation play-off place but work remains to be done to guarantee safety.

Saturday’s opponents are five points from safety after their crucial win over Dundee United last weekend.

The Perth side sacked Calum Davidson mid April and have shown signs of life under Steven MacLean with four points from their last two games.

The last game at McDiarmid ended as a draw after Blair Spittal’s free-kick cancelled out Drey Wright’s opener.

McDiarmid Park has proven to not be a happy hunting ground for the Steelmen, with their last win coming in September 2019.

Match Officials

• • Referee: Grant Irvine
  • AR1: Calum Spence
  • AR2: Michael Banks
  • Fourth Official: Scott Lambie
  • VAR: Gavin Duncan
  • AVAR: Dougie Potter

Motherwell knew that a win against St Johnstone would guarantee Scottish Premiership football for next season. 

Travelling north to a sun-soaked Perth, 750 ‘Well fans also made the journey, as Stuart Kettlewell’s men looked to take a step closer to securing seventh place and the ‘best of the rest’ tag in the bottom half of the table.

Apart from Kevin van Veen netting in the first half, only for it to be ruled out by VAR as offside, the half remained largely quiet and the Motherwell manager wanted to see more in the second period.

Van Veen was looking to break a post-war record, scoring in eight consecutive Motherwell matches, and he was presented with the perfect chance after Stephen O’Donnell was brought down in the box on his 100th appearance.

The Dutchman stepped up but was denied by Remi Matthews in the St Johnstone net.

However, VAR intervened and a retake was awarded as the goalkeeper was off his line. With even more pressure heaped on Van Veen, he had the audacity to Panenka the penalty down the middle to make it 26 goals for the season.

Mikael Mandron made sure of the points with his first league goal since joining in January to round off a good day’s work in Perthshire as Motherwell climbed to seventh in the table above Livingston with three games to go.

With only fives games remaining, Stuart Kettlewell wanted to see his team continue to reach the high standards that his side have set themselves. 

Kilmarnock were the visitors to Fir Park and Motherwell got off to, what is becoming a trademark, fast start.

Blair Spittal got the ball rolling after just four minutes giving his side the lead and after Sam Walker making numerous saves in the Killie goal, and a couple of chances missed from Motherwell, it took until stoppage time for the second Motherwell goal to come to seal the win. But it was worth the wait.

Scoring in his seventh consecutive match and reaching 25 goals for the season, Kevin van Veen continued his electric run of form with a world-class touch and finish.

With Motherwell moving 10 points clear from the bottom of the table, Kettlewell still has eye on the ball and wants to see his team rack up the points and finish strongly this season.

It was an afternoon to forget for the Women of Steel, as a clinical Rebecca Galbraith dashed Motherwell’s faint hopes of sustaining a challenge for seventh place.

A quickfire first-half hat-trick had Spartans firmly in the ascendency, despite Tiree Burchill narrowing the deficit before the break.

Following a serious injury to Amelie Birse, the game was temporarily suspended as the midfielder received treatment.

Upon the restart, Kayla Jardine pulled a second goal back with a composed finish, but this proved to be a consolation, as Spartans held out to ensure all three points returned to the Capital.

Manager, Paul Brownlie made four changes from the side that ended their recent winless run with a commanding 3-0 victory away to Glasgow Women midweek. Lauren Doran-Barr, Chelsie Watson, Katie Rice, and Kodie Hay all returned to action, replacing Emma Lawton, Niamh Noble, Kayla Jardine, and Lori Gardner.

Motherwell’s recent run of conceding early unfortunately persisted, as the visitors netted the breakthrough after nine minutes.

Julianne Ross’ dangerous through ball was shifted by Galbraith onto her stronger right-foot, and the striker drilled a powerful strike beyond the reach of Katie Andrews.

Seven minutes later, Spartans had their second. Lurking in the box, Galbraith escaped her marker with relative ease before connecting with Mya Bates’ floated delivery, dispatching it into the bottom-left corner.

Less than two minutes later, Motherwell narrowed the deficit. A hopeful cross from the right sailed accurately into the path of Louisa Boyes, who was initially denied by the Spartans keeper, but Burchill was the quickest to react, prodding home the rebound.

The hosts momentum proved to be short-lived, as Spartans regained their advantage on the stroke of half-time. Galbraith again capitalised on the hosts defensive indecision, lifting a cool effort over the head over Andrews.

The game was temporarily suspended for a lengthy period of time in the latter stages of the second half, as Spartans’ Birse received medical treatment following a serious injury.

Play resumed over 20-minutes later, with Motherwell chasing a route back into the game.

Moments after the restart, substitute Kayla Jardine netted after volleying Gill Inglis’ floated delivery into the bottom-right corner.

However, it proved to only be a late consolation, as Spartans stood resolute to leave K-Park with the three points.

This result confirms an eight-placed finish for the women of Steel, with only one remaining fixture against Aberdeen at K-Park next Saturday.

Motherwell continue their hectic SWPL schedule with a Tuesday night match against Glasgow Women at John Cummings Stadium. 

Kick off is 8.15pm.

How to follow the game

Adult tickets cost £6, with Under 16s entry costing £3.

Under 12 entry is free.

Story of the match

Glasgow Women are yet to pick up a point this season in SWPL.

The two sides last met at Fir Park, with Motherwell winning 4-0 in front of a bumper crowd.

Jemma Hughes netted two that night, with Niamh Noble and Chelsie Watson also getting on the scoresheet.

The women of steel will be looking to bounce back from back-to-back defeats in the league.

Consecutive defeats against Hamilton and Dundee United has meant Spartans have leapfrogged the ‘Well in the table, with the Edinburgh side now sitting in the seventh position.