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The final captivating pages turned, the unfolded drama to remember, and memories to be celebrated in an enthralling finale to the 2025/26 campaign.

Whether suntanning on the Spanish coast, sandboarding on the Moroccan desert or taking in the sights of the Empire State building – our squad have been well rested, as the return to the training pitch emerges closer every day.

From the beaches of Santa Ponsa, we caught up with defender Shannon Leishman, who reflected on her summer break, and the opportunity to recharge ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

“It was great to have that week or two, where I could fully switch my mind off of football, at least as much as I could anyway, with the World Cup on every TV-screen,” Leishman joked.

“I’m just back from holiday with my family in Santa Ponsa. I think it’s important once you finish the season, you can use that opportunity to rest and recharge before getting back into the routine of training and playing week to week.

“Pre-season preparations are probably the few weeks every footballer dreads, but I’m obviously looking forward to meeting back up with the squad and the staff again, before getting back into some running and gym sessions.

After significant changes in the team throughout last year, there was a sense that rebuilding was needed. Rival relegations, post-split dominance, and heart-breaking farewell’s soon followed, as the 2025/26 Scottish Power Women’s Premier League campaign left much to remember for the women of steel.

As the imminent sound of pre-season echoes firmly in the not-so-distant future, defender Shannon Leishman reflected on the final chapter of a campaign to remember.

“It was a difficult season overall, but we ended the season on a real high,” Leishman professed.

“At times it was difficult, we ended up in the bottom-four which became a bit stop and start. We’d play a game one week, then we’d be off for two-weeks.

“Although we had a lot of players leave in January, and a transition period with a new manager where we had to rebuild, I felt as we reached the end of the season; we ended on a real high.

“We didn’t lose in six-games, we finished top of the bottom-four, and we can really understand and are buying into how Iain wants us to play. It was a difficult start, but we ended it strong. And I think you could see a lot of the girls were playing for each other; we were wanting to go out and win games… and just playing the game how we want to play the game.

“It’s a real positive going forward which we can hopefully continue to build momentum heading onto next season.”

Despite a difficult initial transition period, with an expected change to the playing squad, the women of steel successfully adapted to a new coaching staff, their style of play, and what they envisioned for the club.

Leishman has committed to Motherwell for the forthcoming season, and the former Hibernian captain detailed that the connection to playing consistently and gaining confidence is a personal drive for her to remain in ML1, as well as the strong connection she feels from coaching staff as a major reason she wished to return for the forthcoming season.

“Playing consistently allows you to gain and develop more confidence within yourself,” Leishman emphasised.

“When there’s trust built from managers to players, there is that element of respect. Iain allows you to play the way you want to play, and express ourselves.

“I feel right now, playing game time is what I need as a player, and towards the end of the season, I was playing every week, and I feel that is what I need right now within my career.”

As the squad begin preparations this week ahead of their pre-season campaign, Leishman reiterated the demand for returning to the top-six of the Premier League.

“We’re hoping to progress, and do better than we did last season,” Leishman noted.

“We want to achieve top-six. Anyone playing within the league, that’s what their expectations would be to be playing against the top-sides in the league. That should be any clubs ambition, and as players, you should be wanting to challenge yourself to be playing against these teams week in week out.

“We need to continue the run we were on, and I think with a good pre-season and league cup behind us, that’ll allow us to build a steady pace for the season coming. For us as a team, we have been there before, and we can do it again. We need to set those standards as high as we can.”

Alfred Johansson was unveiled to the media this morning, as he laid out his expectations and plans for the coming week. 

The new Motherwell manager was questioned around his journey in coaching, recruitment at Motherwell this summer, the upcoming UEFA Conference League tie and his knowledge on Scottish football.

Match details have now been confirmed for our UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tie against Havnar Bóltfelag.

The first leg will take place at 7:45pm on Thursday 23 July at Fir Park. The second leg will take place in the Faroe Islands on Thursday 30 July, with the match taking place at Tórsvøllur, the national stadium. Kick-off time is 6pm for the second leg.

Allocation numbers for away tickets in Torshavn will be communicated once confirmed, with all ticket information regarding both legs being communicated in due course.

The imminent sound of pre-season echoing above the settling dust of a campaign rich in unfolded drama, established legacies, and the assurance of top-flight survival reflects the fast-paced nature of professional football.

Whether suntanning on the Spanish coast, sandboarding on the Moroccan desert or taking in the sights of the Empire State building – our squad have been well rested, as the return to the training pitch emerges closer every day.

As Head Coach, Iain Robinson relishes the final few days of respite in New York before returning to competitive action, he discusses the well-earned rest for the squad, the importance of the reformatted League Cup first round, and the opportunity to build on the first chapter of his tenure at the club.

“I’m certainly loving the time away from the pitch for a few weeks,” Robinson said.

“I’m currently catching some of the World Cup atmosphere in the States whilst also exploring Brooklyn and Manhattan, with perhaps a pint or two to celebrate if Scotland can overcome Morocco on Friday.

“The squad have also been enjoying a well-earned rest, they’ve been posting their holiday pics in the squad group chat, and I think they are all eagerly awaiting the opportunity to get back on the training pitch, once a few have recovered from some sore heads…

“All jokes aside, the start of the new campaign never feels far away, and even since finishing our season against Aberdeen, we have been quietly working away behind the scenes to build towards this year.

“Despite the break, many within the squad have still been working independently or in small groups outside of their work, and are gearing up for the first week of pre-season.”

The demands of competitive action come thick and fast at the pinnacle of women’s football in Scotland, and with the introduction of a reformatted Sky Sports League Cup Round One Group Stage, the women of steel will face four competitive fixtures shortly after returning from the summer break.

Motherwell will face recent bottom-six rivals, Montrose, with three ties against Scottish Power Women’s Premier League 2 sides, Livingston, Kilmarnock and Gartcairn.

“We are really excited by the changes to the [Sky Sports] League Cup,” Robinson explained.

“It is a really positive change for us in terms of establishing a competitive target within pre-season, to work alongside the traditional pre-season friendlies we have already arranged.

“Having competitive football so early in the season will give everyone in the squad that motivation to really work their hardest in the coming weeks to be prepared for what will be a difficult, but achievable ambition of achieving our place in the next round.

“We know from our meeting’s with Montrose last season, that it will be a close game, and despite the tough conclusion to their campaign – Kilmarnock showed throughout the season that they are a very difficult opposition too, so it is a run of fixtures we aren’t taking lightly.

Motherwell will face another squad rebuild this summer following the departures of eight first-team players. Skipper, Gill Inglis brought the curtain down on her remarkable tenure in professional football after announcing her retirement following the birth of her son – Louie.

Rangers loanees, Sophie Townsley and Mia McArthur both returned to their parent club, with Edinburgh-based duo Keri Halliday and Milly Boughton returning to Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian respectively.

Long-serving players Katie Rice and Jo Addie also both departed shortly before the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign. Midfielder, Amy Bulloch also departed after spending the second-half of the season on loan to Kilmarnock. Youth academy graduate, Sarah Petherick also left the club after being awarded the Player of the Year in her recent loan spell in the third-tier.

“We have lost a lot of talent and experience within the squad, but we have retained a strong core of the team,” Robinson reiterated.

“We don’t require an overhaul of new players, and a total squad rebuild, which many teams struggle with at this point of the season. Whilst we are obviously in the market for new additions, we still have a strong core structure behind us, and aren’t concerned about that initial period of integrating the team.

“Our Player of the year, Carla Boyce – who was recognised and nominated by the supporters, our Players Player of the Year, Lucy Ronald, and our young Player of the Year, Mason Clark are all signed up for the season, so we are really pleased with where we are at.

“We want to be in a position where we have the majority of the squad secured ahead of the [Sky Sports] League Cup, but we understand that a lot of deals, especially loans typically happen later on in the window once other clubs have accessed their own squads.

“We are all looking forward to the return to action, and are eager to welcome everyone back to [the Ross Commercial Finance Stadium at] K-Park.

As the squad returns for pre-season, we can provide the following update on our playing squad. 

Academy graduate Zander McAllister has penned a new two-year deal with the club, keeping him at Fir Park until the summer of 2028.

McAllister made four first-team appearances last season. Good to have you with us, Zander.

Liam Gordon will not be returning for the 26/27 season. Gordon made 57 appearances across two seasons, scoring two goals. We thank Liam for his professional attitude and strong work-ethic during his time at Fir Park. Best wishes for the future, Liam.

As 20 first-team players returned from their summer break, two are yet to return. Elijah Just remains on international duty with New Zealand at the World Cup.

Apostolos Stamatelopoulos has been granted additional personal leave following the birth of his child. He will join up with the squad next week.

Captain Paul McGinn missed the last three games of last season through injury. Further assessment on the injury concluded that the 35-year-old would require surgery on his knee. Having undergone surgery during the summer, McGinn has started his rehabilitation process and is expected to return in a number of months. Best wishes and see you back soon, Paul.

Callum Hendry is also set for a spell on the sidelines through injury. The forward picked up the injury in the latter stages of last season. He will also be out for a number of months. Wishing you the best, Callum.

The squad will now begin their preparations for the 26/27 campaign. We are still yet to get official confirmation of our match details for our UEFA Conference League matches against HB Torshavn. Once we have this confirmed, it will be communicated as soon as possible.

Alfred Johansson addresses his playing squad for the first time, outlining what he plans on doing this season.

Assistant Coach, David Brownlie has departed the club to pursue opportunities overseas.

Brownlie joined the club in December, 2025 alongside Head Coach, Iain Robinson, as the pair sought to lead the women of steel from the threat of relegation to the second-tier.

After successfully preserving our top-flight status for the forthcoming campaign, Brownlie will depart Lanarkshire to pursue a full-time coaching opportunity overseas.

“It’s a real moment of mixed emotions for myself,” Brownlie said.

“I’ve absolutely loved my time at the club. The squad have been an absolute pleasure to work with, and towards the end of the season, you could really see our ideas for the club coming to fruition.

“To have achieved safety for the club, finishing the season unbeaten in the split is a real proud moment, and I’m pleased to be departing the club on a positive note.

“After working on my UEFA A-license this year, an opportunity presented itself to me, working full-time in football overseas, and it was a decision I simply couldn’t turn down. I will be following the club’s progress closely, and I wish everyone all the best for the future.”

The former Rangers academy graduate concluded his playing career in the Southside of Glasgow, with Pollok before embarking on his coaching pathway. After departing Newlandsfield, Brownlie sought to utilise his vast experience, and integrate himself as a football coach, achieving his UEFA C-License in 2022 before upgrading to the UEFA B-License in 2024. Brownlie then undertook his UEFA A-License qualification process this year.

Graduating from University after the summer of 2023, Brownlie sought to experience his first academy coaching role, joining the Rangers academy before soon settling into the position of coaching the girls U17/18s academy team alongside Motherwell Head Coach, Iain Robinson.

With Robinson replacing the then departing Head Coach Craig Joyce in Glasgow after being headhunted to become the Head Coach of Queen’s Park, he sought to bring Brownlie alongside in the dugout.

In their final season in charge, Robinson and Brownlie had the Spiders sat comfortably in the final promotion-playoff position in the Scottish Women’s Premier League 2 table, one point shy of Boroughmuir Thistle in second, with ambitions of restoring the club’s top-flight status.

However, the sudden departure of Paul Brownlie after several years at the helm of Motherwell Women presented an irresistible opportunity in ML1.

“It’s absolutely gutting to see David depart the club, but we absolutely understand the importance of the opportunity available to him,” Head Coach Iain Robinson added.

“David has been a vital part of everything we have started to build this season, and has progressed the development of the playing squad at the club.

“The coaching staff, and the entire playing squad thank David for everything he has done for the club, and we wish him the absolute best in the future.”

It’s day one of 2026/27 pre-season for the Motherwell squad as they get back together after the summer break.

Alfred Johansson is the new manager of Motherwell Football Club. 

On his first day as the new boss, the Swede speaks about his journey in football, pre-season plans, the quick turnaround until competitive action and what he wants his team to look like.

Alfred Johansson is the new manager of Motherwell Football Club.

The 35-year-old Swede becomes the 31st manager of the club.

“We are delighted to welcome Alfred to the football club,” chairman Kyrk Macmillan said.

“Following the same data-driven process that we undertook to appoint the previous two managers of the football club, we believe Alfred is an excellent fit here at Motherwell. The data plays a key role to ensure the game model aligns with how we want to play and continues our evolution, but the process is also blended with ensuring we bring good people to the club.

“We met with Alfred on a number of occasions, and he stood out as the best candidate to continue our journey at the club. It became evident from our conversations that there was a clear alignment between both parties, and we have built a strong relationship already. Identifying and appointing someone that fits with the type of people we want to work with is equally as important.

“There is a strong belief that Alfred has the correct characteristics to lead and deliver on his ideas. He is a determined and ambitious young manager who wants to continue the success we had last season.

“It was important for the squad that we completed our detailed process of recruiting a new manager, but we were also conscious of time. With the players back in for pre-season this week, Alfred can begin working with his new squad ahead of a busy and exciting period for the football club.

“We were delighted with the connection our fans had with the team last season and we hope to take that even further this campaign”

Johansson arrives off the back of a two-and-a-half-year stint as manager of Norwegian top league side Rosenborg.

His coaching career began in Sweden, where he started out working with the youth squads at Enköpings SK in 2011 before serving as academy manager at Djurgårdens IF until 2015.

His strong academic results gave Johansson a strong grounding to begin his journey in football, despite not playing the game professionally.

He then moved to FC Copenhagen to work as youth manager and chief analyst for the under-19 squad. A brief spell back home in Sweden with AIK’s under-17 squad in 2018 was followed by a return to the Danish capital to take up the position of youth manager.

Impressing by guiding the Under 17 squad to the top of the DBU U17 Drenge Ligaen, he progressed to work with Copenhagen’s Under 19 squad in 2022, which saw Johansson build a strong, talented group that could compete at European level, defeating the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester United in the UEFA Youth League.

He then was appointed manager of Rosenborg in 2023 at the age of just 33. In his maiden season in professional management, he guided Rosenborg to a fourth-place finish in the Norwegian top-flight, securing a return to European football after a 12-month absence, by winning over half of their league matches.

In a strong first season that saw Johansson pick up the league’s manager of the month award in August, he guided Rosenborg to the cusp of Conference League league phase football, defeating Banga Gargždai and Hammarby in the second and third rounds. After defeating Bundesliga side Mainz at home in the first leg of the playoff round, the Germans won on home turf to progress to the next round in the second leg.

For the 2025 league campaign, Johansson and Rosenborg finished seventh in the standings, keeping 11 clean sheets in the process, the second highest in the division and also picked up a second manager of the month accolade.

Johansson departed the club seven league games into his third season in May 2026. Managing 131 matches in his tenure in Norway, Johansson accumulated 71 wins and 21 draws.

He will now begin work ahead of pre-season, with all football staff remaining at the club.

“This is a huge honour for me,” manager Alfred Johansson said.

“To work at this football club and to lead is a privilege. I’ve analysed the club closely, and the direction that it’s going in is of huge importance to me. Last season was hugely successful, and I want to be able to carry this success forward. The squad of players we have is exciting, and we will get to work straight away.

“There is no time to waste with European football next month and the league season starting in a few weeks. I can’t wait to get to know all the players and staff at the club, but most importantly, I’m looking forward to meeting the supporters. I’ll see you all very soon.”