Chief Executive Brian Caldwell offers a lengthy update on players’ contact, new signings, renovation work and the proposed injection of investment.
News
Latest News
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Club
Chief Executive Brian Caldwell’s post season update
Wednesday 22 May 2024 -
First team
Stephen O’Donnell: Here’s to 500
Wednesday 22 May 2024
Stephen O’Donnell has become a name that most Scottish football fans will know. From clinching European football with Kilmarnock, to representing Scotland at the EUROs, he is a recognisable figure in the Scottish game.
But the success has came with the bad during his 500 professional games and even right back at the very start, the path to professional football was one filled with uncertainty and difficulty.
Stephen O’Donnell’s journey started with Aberdeen, a crucial part of the building blocks for his career. He spent eight years with the Dons and spent a year as a full-time player there.
“That was where I learned most of my trade,” O’Donnell said.
“I missed home a wee bit too much and my performances weren’t great. I moved away at 16, having just finished my standard grades. It’s only when you look back, you realise how much your family sacrificed because a lot of the time, my mum and dad would take me to games.
“But what was my other brother doing?”
It’s taking that time to reflect that has Stephen O’Donnell feeling privileged and fortuitous for the position he found himself in.
“Where I’ve been lucky is my family could always provide, so it bought me time,” O’Donnell explained.
“With time, it allows you to be as calm as possible. So when I was released by Aberdeen, you start to think you might not get to live your dream but when I signed for Celtic, I wasn’t naive.
“At Aberdeen, and at that age, you think you’re going to make it. The only thing guaranteed is what is in front of you. Celtic provided the best facilities and the best coaches to improve, so I knew if I was released there, I would still have a better chance of making it.”
The time would come for O’Donnell to depart Celtic and although he was yet to taste any first team action at this stage, he wasn’t concerned.
“There had been a bit of interest after Celtic,” he detailed.
“I went into Dunfermline, who had just been promoted. I went down to Fleetwood also. But you’re going into these clubs with no experience as a first-team player and it’s difficult.
“Fortunately, I played well in the Youth Cup Final for Celtic and that was where Jackie McNamara noticed me. He believed in me but just needed funds. Back then, he was actually putting a lot of his own money in to try and better things at Partick Thistle. When I got offered a deal, there was no hesitation.”
That was the start of a four year relationship between Partick Thistle and Stephen O’Donnell, where he made his first-team debut and represented the Jags on more than 100 occasions. Adding goals to his game and catching the eye of many, O’Donnell was ready for the next chapter after four years in Glasgow.
“I’d matured so much by this stage, I was 23,” O’Donnell added.
“I wanted to go to England to see if I was good enough and to see how far I could go. I didn’t have many offers that were appealing, so I could go top end of League Two or middle of the road League One.
“I thought top League Two would suit my attributes better so I went to Luton Town.
“My eyes were opened a bit when I went down, just the style of play wasn’t what I was expecting and it didn’t suit me. Nathan Jones came in, who I loved. But after two years, I was more relaxed.
“I knew I’d have options to come back up the road so I tried to be patient. I was in a stable position, was getting married in the summer and was in a good place.
“When I came back up, I went on my honeymoon and Lee McCulloch phoned and asked if I was interested in Kilmarnock. There was about six of us who he signed that weren’t fit- I was one of them.
“On my honeymoon, I lost eight to ten Kilos. I got ‘Bali Belly’, not ideal. So when I got into pre-season, I was in bits. By the time I got up to speed, Steve Clarke had came in as manager.”
Kilmarnock would go on to have a wonderful season under Clarke, where his side would finish third and qualify for Europe. All eyes were on the Ayrshire Killie and with that, comes added opportunity.
“I try to say to young players, the team comes first. To do well individually, you need the team to be successful,” O’Donnell stated.
“Player don’t get great moves after their team has a bang average season, you’re not getting talked about as much. The team always comes first and within that, you can show your quality. That’s what that side was like.”
The recognition would come in the form of winning the player of the month for the league and then the biggest bonus of all would shortly follow after.
“People started to mention Scotland, because we had a lack of right-backs at the time,” O’Donnell explained.
“I had been doing well but didn’t get in the original squad, which wasn’t a drama. Then I got a phone call out the blue for a late call-up to the Peru and Mexico squad.”
O’Donnell would make 26 appearances for Scotland in total, something he keeps close to his heart. But as football operates, the time came once again to move on from Kilmarnock which would bring him to ML1.
“Everything was up in the air,” O’Donnell said.
“I was hoping to go down to England. It was such a tough decision to leave Kilmarnock. Then it went quiet.
“One day, I was golfing and the phone went.
It was Craig Hinchcliffe and he asked if I was interested in Motherwell. It was quite simple for me, I was playing golf in the middle of the day instead of playing football. Of course I was interested.
“I came in and Stephen Robinson really helped me play wing-back, I actually used his knowledge to play for Scotland in that role. I’ve played over 140 games for Motherwell now, some good and some bad.
“The club is close to a lot of my family and I’m proud to play a part in the community. And now to play over 500 times, I’m proud of myself.
“For anyone reading this who is trying to make it in football, don’t get too down when someone says you’re not good enough. Football is opinion. I was told so many times I wasn’t going to make it.
“To play 500 times, most of which have came in the Premiership, 26 caps for Scotland and European appearances, is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
“The best moment in my career was my first call up for Scotland, nothing would have came after if it wasn’t for those two games. My favourite Motherwell moment was my debut at Easter Road. I hadn’t played in three months but I just went for it.”
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First team
Liam Kelly named in provisional EURO 2024 squad
Wednesday 22 May 2024
Liam Kelly has been named in the Scotland provisional squad that will travel to Germany this summer and compete in EURO 2024.
Kelly is one of four keepers named in the squad, alongside Angus Gunn, Zander Clark and Craig Gordon.
The Motherwell stopper and skipper hasn’t missed a minute of Premiership action in the last three-and-a-half years.
Kelly made his Scotland debut in October of last year against France.
Scotland have two friendly matches before they travel to Germany.
They take on Gibraltar on Monday 3 June before facing Finland on Friday 7 June. Following the Finland match, this 28-man squad will be cut by to a 26.
They will open EURO 2024 seven days later against hosts Germany on Friday 14 June.
In match day two, they take on Switzerland on Wednesday 19 June before their final group match against Hungary on Sunday 23 June.
- Gibraltar v Scotland
- Monday 3 June
- 5pm Kick off
- Estádio Algarve, Portugal
- Scotland v Finland
- Friday 7 June
- 7.45pm Kick off
- Hampden Park, Scotland
- Germany v Scotland
- Friday 14 June
- 8pm Kick off
- Allianz Arena, Germany
- Scotland v Switzerland
- Wednesday 19 June
- 8pm Kick Off
- RheinEnergieStadion, Germany
- Scotland v Hungary
- Sunday 23 June
- 8pm Kick off
- MHPArena, Germany
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First team
May player of the month vote
Tuesday 21 May 2024
It’s time to vote for your G4 Claims May player of the month.
Sam Nicholson, Theo Bair, Blair Spittal and Georgie Gent are all up for nomination.
To vote, head over to the Motherwell Facebook page.
Games in May
- Motherwell 4-1 Livingston
- Ross County 1-5 Motherwell
- Hibernian 3-0 Motherwell
- Motherwell 1-2 St Johnstone
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Archive
Bringing the curtain down on season 23/24 // Motherwell 1-2 St Johnstone
Monday 20 May 2024With the final match of the season here, Motherwell would round off their campaign in front of the Fir Park faithful. Security might have already been in the bag for the hosts but St Johnstone needed a win and hope other results went their way in order to avoid the relegation playoffs.
The Perthshire side took the lead when Nicky Clark got on the end of a cross into the box.
It looked as if the script had been written when Theo Bair was awarded the chance to score from the spot against his former side, but the St Johnstone keeper guessed the right way to make the stop.
St Johnstone doubled their lead before the break and despite allowing Motherwell to create chance after chance in the second half, it would take until the 94th minute for Moses Ebiye to find the back of the net, but it was too little too late.
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First team
Motherwell return to Delden for Pre Season
Monday 20 May 2024
Motherwell will return to Delden, Netherlands for their 2024/25 pre season camp.
Stuart Kettlewell and his side will travel on Monday 24 June for a seven day camp.
The Steelmen will participate in two pre-season matches during their stay.
First off, they will face Eredivisie side FC Twente on Friday 28 June.
In their second match of the trip, Motherwell will take on DSVD Deuringen on Sunday 30 June. Both matches will take place at DSVD Deurningen’s stadium. Kerkweg 14, 7561 PT Deurningen, Netherlands.
Entry for supporters price of entry will be confirmed in due course.
- Friday 28 June 2024
FC Twente – Motherwell, 19:00, Deurningen, Netherlands.
- Sunday 30 June 2024
- DSVD Deurningen – Motherwell, 14:00 Deurningen, Netherlands.
- Friday 28 June 2024
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Women
Dundee United 0-1 Motherwell
Sunday 19 May 2024
The women of steel rounded off the 2023/24 SWPL campaign with their third straight victory and eleventh consecutive unbeaten game to secure a seventh-place finish in a narrow 0-1 victory over Dundee United at Foundation Park
The women of steel travelled to the city of discovery with the understanding that victory over the Tangerines would mathematically secure a seventh-place finish ahead of nearest league rivals Aberdeen. Player of the Year Louisa Boyes netted the solitary goal moments before the half-time break, as Motherwell head into the forthcoming campaign on a high.
Head Coach Paul Brownlie made four changes from the side that cruised to their third Lanarkshire derby victory under the K-Park floodlights midweek. Emily Mutch returned in the Motherwell goal, with Kayla Jardine, Brooke Nunn and Murron Cunningham all returning to the starting XI.
Despite Dundee United requiring a victory to escape the automatic relegation-place, Motherwell started firmly on the front foot, with goalscorer on the previous meeting Jo Addie almost netting within the opening few minutes. Latching onto the ball from a corner, Addie tried to pick out the near side of the goal, but the defender couldn’t convert from close-range.
Morgan Cross almost netted soon after after shifting the ball onto her stronger right-foot, but the forward’s audacious effort was equally-matched by an excellent reaction save.
The breakthrough came three-minutes into stoppage time, with Boyes expertly escaping her marker to find space yards from goal, and the midfielder calmly placed a low effort into the centre of the United goal.
As the second-half resumed, chances from Berry and Anderson tested the United goal, but with Aberdeen conceding twice to Spartans and Hamilton three-behind Montrose, both sides were content to play out the remaining minutes with ease.
The women of steel now head into the forthcoming campaign with confidence and momentum in the pursuit of a top-six finish, as an eleven-game unbeaten run concludes the 2023/24 SWPL campaign in style.
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First team
Motherwell 1-2 St Johnstone
Sunday 19 May 2024
Motherwell suffered defeat in their final matchday of the 2023/24 SPFl campaign after St. Johnstone narrowly secured their Premiership Status after a closely-fought meeting at Fir Park.
Nicky Clark broke the deadlock with a composed finish from close-range, with the midfielder prodding home a whipped delivery across the face of goal. Adam Sidibeh capitalised on defensive in-decision to double the Saints advantage moments before the half-time break.
Theo Bair’s missed first-half penalty set the tone for the afternoon with the Steelmen able to only merit a late consolation through striker Mosses Ebiye.
Stuart Kettlewell made three changes from the side which disappointingly lost to Hibs in midweek. Bevis Mugabi started in place of Dan Casey to form a back three, while Harry Paton and Davor Zdravkovski came into the midfield.
With no other option than a win to avoid a relegation play-off, Craig Levein sent out his team to play on the front foot.
The Saints almost found themselves ahead within the opening few minutes. It would have been fortunate after Nicholson’s clearance rebounded off the back of Clark sending the ball high towards the net until Kelly produced a marvellous double save, clawing the ball back before completing the clearance with his feet as Graham Carey raced in on the loose ball.
Kelly had to beat another powerful drive from Cammy Macpherson before a water break midway through the half.
Motherwell struggled to find their rhythm as the first-half progressed, but were given a lifeline back into the game shortly after.
Georgie Gent’s corner into a packed box struck a hand and referee Colin Steven didn’t require a VAR check to confirm his decision to award a penalty.
Bair stepped up but similar to his missed spot kick at Dens Park, his low effort to the left allowed Dimitar Mitov to palm the ball off his line before Gent blasted the ball high over the bar.
Motherwell’s misfortunes persisted and in added time, Saints doubled their lead. Mugabi misread a bouncing ball at the edge of the six-yard box and with Kelly stranded, Sidibeth stooped to nod the ball into the net and leave his side two up at the break.
Motherwell looked livelier in the second-half, with Spittal’s corner reaching Miller’s head, but Mitov’s reaction save kept the scoreline intact.
With 15 minutes remaining and a last attempt to take something from the game Luca Ross came on to make it a three man attack with fellow sub Moses Ebiye.
And in added time, it was Ebiye who turned home another cross from Gent, to leave Motherwell with a late consolation to conclude the 2023/24 SPFL campaign.
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First team
Stuart Kettlewell reacts to season finale defeat to St Johnstone
Sunday 19 May 2024Stuart Kettlewell’s gives his reaction to the 1-2 defeat to St Johnstone.
- Disappointing end to season
- Reassurance on club vision
- A busy summer ahead
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Women
Match Preview: Dundee United (A)
Sunday 19 May 2024
The city of discovery will await the women of steel this weekend, as Motherwell prepare for the final challenge in their quest to finish at the top of the split, with victory in the season finale securing a seventh-place finish in the 2023/24 SWPL table.
The visitors travel to Dundee with the understanding that a solitary point would ensure a place ahead of nearest rivals Aberdeen on goal-difference.
Chelsie Watson’s 95th-minute winner at the Balmoral stadium last weekend opened up a two-point advantage over the Dons prior to a third successive Lanarkshire derby victory this season after two convincing four-goal victories over Hamilton across both sides of the river Clyde.
The Tale of the Tape
Motherwell
The hosts have firmly taken the post-split fixtures in their stride, maintaining an exceptional unbeaten run of 10-successive games. Five straight home victories throughout that spell have propelled the women of steel to the top of the split.
Victory in the Granite City last weekend ensured the women of steel’s momentum in achieving a seventh-place finish remained firmly within their own hands ahead of a highly-anticipated encounter with SWPL survival hopefuls Dundee United.
Striker Morgan Cross deservedly earned a place in the Scotland U23s squad to face Denmark in a double-header of friendlies this month after impressing in recent weeks, including a brace against Hamilton on Wednesday evening.
Dundee United
The hosts sit precariously above the automatic relegation spot, one point ahead of Hamilton who travel to face Montrose on the final day of the season.
Five points from their last four SWPL encounters have noticeably aided the Tangerines survival hopes after a run of 15-straight league defeats.
Ticket information
Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.
- Adult – £5
- Concession – Free to enter
- Under 11s – Free to enter
How to follow the action
Supporters can follow Sunday’s encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match. Kick-off from Foundation Park at 12PM.
