| 7 | Hibernian | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Kilmarnock | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Motherwell | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Rangers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | St Mirren | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Emmanuel Longelo explains his delight at being back involved on the pitch following his pre-season injury, and is looking to contribute to the team in the second leg of the Havnar Bóltfelag Conference League tie.
Longelo talks about his previous experience in European competition with West Ham, as well as explaining his willingness to play further up the pitch if needed.
Manager Alfred Johansson says his players will not be underestimating the task in front of them in the Faroe Islands on Thursday night, as Motherwell travel for the second leg of their UEFA Conference League tie against Havnar Bóltfelag.
Johansson reveals the team news ahead of the second leg, with Tawanda Maswanhise included.
Those celebrations at Easter Road after the full-time whistle epitomised what qualifying for European football meant to the supporters and players at Motherwell Football Club.
For supporters, it’s looking forward to creating more memories following the club they adore across Europe. Trips to Nancy, Odense and Dortmund live long in the memory for fans who made the trips, and home matches at Fir Park feel extra special when the game is played in European competition.
For players, it’s the chance to compete against some good teams, experience something they don’t often feel when playing domestic football and a chance to make it a memorable occasion for everyone involved.
Regan Charles-Cook is looking forward to ticking off European football off his bucket list. He has played in Belgium but is yet to play in a UEFA competition, so as our Conference League campaign continues against Havnar Bóltfelag, the Grenadian international is brimming with excitement.
“The first time playing in European competition is pretty cool,” Charles-Cook said.
“I’m hoping it’ll be a good start. From my time in Belgium, I’ve had that experience of playing against players from different countries. I think you can expect Havnar Bóltfelag to be a team that is good on the ball, doesn’t rush things and is patient in the build-up. So, we’ll have to be quite disciplined and will have to be in the right shape to work off the correct triggers.
“People might say that they won’t be a physical team, but European teams are very physical, so I expect it to be a tactical but physical game.”
When the draw was made, supporters and players alike started their research on our UEFA Conference League second qualifying round opponents. Some may remember the first match between the sides back in 1994, but Charles-Cook headed straight to Google to do his own research.
“I mean, I looked on the map and saw it was a bit past Inverness,” the forward laughed.
“It’s going to be cold up there, I reckon! They’re a team with some good experienced players and are used to playing in this competition. I’ve also found out that there is an ex-Motherwell player playing there. I’ll leave the research to the analysts and coaches, and then we’ll follow the plan they make.
“The first leg has set the tempo for the tie. We wanted a good result and to play well to stamp our authority down early on. That will help us for the away leg, and ideally, we can take an advantage over there. Some may have wanted the away leg first, but actually, I think it was quite nice to have the home leg first as we got all our fans behind us, and it felt special.
“They have been the 12th man in my time here.”
Pre-season training is difficult for the players. A programme designed to push the team to their physical limits to ensure everyone is match-fit come the first competitive match.
But for the second pre-season in a row, the Motherwell squad have had the added layer of getting to know and understand their new boss and his ideas. But Charles-Cook believes the last three weeks have been incredibly productive for the squad.
“There’s no doubt it’s been intense, but we’ve got a lot out of it,” he explains.
“We’ve gone into a lot of detail about how we want things to look, but we’ve also just got to know the manager too on a personal level. He’s an incredibly nice person, but he demands standards, which is what you want from any manager.
“For me personally, this pre-season has been crucial for me. With the way things worked out last summer, I didn’t have a pre-season and just had to come straight in. It’s nice to have the last few weeks under my belt, so I just want to keep the momentum going.
“As a squad, we’ve worked hard. It hasn’t felt like a major adjustment to what we were doing last year. Fans can expect to see us still playing the same style of football we have played in the last year. They can probably expect to see us more directly as well, with more counter and physical pressure, which we’ve already been doing. We just want the fans to have an entertaining game to watch. The way the manager has come in and gone about everything the right way.
“The squad has formed a lot of connections, and the way we played last year helped us become really close as a group. So, if he were to come in and flip everything straight away, it would make things difficult. There are lots of new details, but we’ve still got most of our team from last year. It’s working because we’re seeing the progress. With the new players coming in as well, when they get up to speed and start to get comfortable with the way we play, it’s going to be even better.”
Charles-Cook’s first season in claret and amber had its highs, but it also had its lows. Playing 27 games in total, he started ten games across all competitions. Injury hampered his playing time, and just when he felt like he was building up some momentum, injury would strike again and disrupt his progress.
But the positives were there, and now with a strong pre-season under his belt, he is feeling optimistic for the 2026/27 season.
“Last year was very stop-start with the injuries,” Charles-Cook mentioned.
“I was coming in and out of the team and squads. But I made sure over the summer that I got my body in the right place to give myself the best chance of a strong pre-season. Last year was the first time in my career that I’d never really taken part in a pre-season.
“It builds your confidence and helps you through the long season that’s ahead of you. This year is a big one for me, and I’m looking to hit the ground running straight away and show the fans Regan Charles-Cook. The manager has been really helpful because he tells me little things that he wants me to do to improve my game. He’s obviously seen me train and play for a while now, and the staff here constantly want to help all players improve and develop. The manager is someone who wants to form that close bond with his players, and you’ll see him having little chats here and there with players, which is important.
“That bond is the same one we have amongst the players, and it creates that connectivity and family feeling around the club. Because we all need to be in it together. You can see from last season that, whilst it was incredibly successful and, for large parts of the season, positivity was beaming out from the club, it’s a long, long season now. Ups and downs are inevitable, and if the bonds are in place beforehand to deal with those scenarios head-on, it’s a smoother ride. Our connections as teammates were good, but what made it was the fact we were actually friendly off the pitch, which helped us go so far.
“Our first big test was against Havnar Bóltfelag, and it was our first competitive match, so we tried not to play the occasion. We’ll play our football and go over there and give it our best. I’d never played in Europe before, so I’m buzzing; the team is ready, and we all want to make it a night to remember.
“The new players are all such nice people, which has allowed us to keep things moving forward. When you bring nice people into the environment, it means minimal disruption, and they just join and help us progress. Willy [Vogt] and Martin [Moormann] have come in and are getting up to speed very quickly. Alex [Paulsen] and Jake [Girdwood-Reich] are working hard too. We’re making the squad stronger as we go, so it’s good times ahead.”
Motherwell travel to Tórshavn for the second leg of their UEFA Conference League second qualifying round match against Havnar Bóltfelag.
Kick off is 6pm at the Torsvollur Stadium.
You can buy online by CLICKING HERE.
The prices are 160 dkk for adults (£18.50) and 58 dkk for children (£6.701).
Motherwell Supporters should start purchasing for block 101, and when it is sold out, block 102 will become available.
The weather forecast currently for Tórshavn on matchday shows light rain at kick off, with the temperature sitting around 13 degrees.
This guide provides essential, practical information for Motherwell supporters traveling to the Faroe Islands for the second-leg qualifying match against HB Tórshavn. It includes transport routes, walking directions, stadium details, and local advice.
Motherwell supporters will be gathering in the Irish Pub Torshavn on matchday, which is around a 30-minute walk to the stadium. They will also be going back there after the match.
The Steelmen take a two-goal lead into the second leg, as they look to progress in a European tie for the first time in six years. The winners of the tie will take on HJK Helsinki or Coleraine in the next round, with the Finnish side winning 5-0 in the first leg of their tie.
Martin Moormann and Lukas Fadinger provided two wonderful goals last Thursday night, with Alfred Johansson picking up a win in his first competitive match in charge.
The Steelmen were boosted by the return of Emmanuel Longelo, who came on as a second half substitute.
Havnar Bóltfelag will come into this match knowing they’re still in the tie. European regulars, their record on home soil is much stronger to their away form.
HB are European regulars, having played in Europe, including this season, eight years in a row and 15 of the last 19 seasons. They have recorded notable wins over Red Bull Salzburg in 2010 and Maccabi Haifa in 2021 and drawn at home against the likes of Brøndby, Hajduk Split and HJK Helsinki in recent years, and a notable draw with Malmö in 2011.
The Faroese side have progressed through two European ties since 2014, a 6-3 aggregate win over Lincoln Red Imps from Gibraltar in 2014 and a 6-0 win over FK Budućnost Podgorica from Montenegro in 2021.
They’ll also be boosted with the return of former Motherwell man Moses Ebiye and midfielder Amidou Diop, who both missed the first leg due to Visa issues.
This guide provides essential, practical information for Motherwell supporters traveling to the Faroe Islands for the second-leg qualifying match against HB Tórshavn. It includes transport routes, walking directions, stadium details, and local advice.
Finally, we hope all supporters have a safe journey to the Faroe Islands and have a wonderful trip following their team. We can’t wait to see you in the stadium on Thursday night.
For all supporters travelling, if you need to contact someone at the club for any issues or advice required during your stay in the Faroe Islands, you can email david.brannan@motherwellfc.co.uk or phone/text 07884 991990.
There will be club officials in Torshavn on matchday who can help in-person. There will also be a MFC presence at the away turnstiles for any issues.
We want to remind all supporters that unacceptable conduct will not be tolerated. We ask all supporters to enjoy the match responsibly.
In UEFA matches, UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body can issue and distribute a range of punishments against the football club, including fines, partial stadium bans, away ticket bans, etc.
The use of pyrotechnics, pitch incursions, throwing objects, use of laser pointers and any discriminatory behaviour can result in any individual receiving a club ban, football banning order as well as harsher punishments. We encourage all supporters to get behind the team on what is a huge European night for the football club in a safe and responsible manner.
We have been drawn to face Stenhousemuir away at Ochilview in the Round of 16 of the Premier Sports Cup.
The tie will be place on the weekend of August 15/16.
Draw in full:
Aberdeen vs Dundee
Dundee United vs Celtic
Dunfermline vs Ross County
Hearts vs Inverness
Hibs vs Partick Thistle
Kilmarnock vs Ayr United
Rangers vs St Mirren
Stenhousemuir vs Motherwell
Forward Morgan Anderson has joined the club on a permanent basis from Gartcairn.
A product of Drumchapel United, Anderson soon joined partner club Partick Thistle – becoming the first player to make such a move through the pathway to first-team football at the club.
The then 17-year-old became a consistent presence within the ranks of the Partick Thistle squad – impressing former Head Coach, Brian Graham.
“I’m really pleased to have signed with the club,” Anderson said.
“Motherwell have got a strong reputation of playing and developing younger players, and giving them opportunities of experience in the Scottish top-flight.
“I’m ready to battle for a place in a really talented squad, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Anderson has since developed in Lanarkshire with Gartcairn, impressing in the Scottish Women’s Premier League 2.
“We are delighted to welcome Morgan to the club,” Head Coach Iain Robinson added.
“She is an extremely talented young footballer, who can add a new dynamic to our options in the squad.
“We are looking forward to watching her development this season.”
Midfielder Sophie Rutherford has completed a season-long loan deal from Rangers.
The young midfielder joins fellow Rangers loanees Mia McArthur and Saoirse Coyle-Morrow in ML1 this summer.
Rutherford has already gained a vast amount of first-team experience, featuring in successive loan spells for Queens Park in SWPL2.
“I’m really excited to be here at Motherwell,” Rutherford said.
“I obviously know Mia [McArthur] really well from Rangers, and she spoke so highly of the club, and were they were wanting to go this season.
“I just knew then that I wanted to be a part of it.”
Rutherford will be available for this afternoon’s encounter with Montrose.
“We are excited to welcome Sophie to the club,” Head Coach Iain Robinson added.
“For a young player, Sophie has already gained a strong level of senior experience, and we felt that she was more than ready to make the step into the top-flight.
“We are looking forward to watching her in a Motherwell shirt this season.”
The opening matchday of the 2026/27 domestic campaign is upon us, and the women of steel will welcome Montrose this weekend, as they contest the opening round of the Sky Sports Cup group stage at the Bumblebee Stadium at K-Park on Sunday.
Ticket Information
Tickets can be purchased through the matchday turnstiles at the Ross Commercial Finance Stadium at K-Park. Both cash and card payments are accepted.
Additional Information – no pets allowed within The Bumblebee Stadium – previously named The Ross Commercial Finance Stadium at K-Park.
Matchday Travel
Follow our live matchday coverage on the Motherwell Women X (formerly Twitter) account.
Midfielder Ellie MacDonald has joined the club on a permanent basis following her recent departure from Queens Park this summer.
The 2025-26 Queens Park Coaches Player of the Year will compete in the Scottish top-flight after supporting the Spiders to the Scottish Power Women’s Premier League Playoff Final last season.
“I’m really excited by the opportunity to play for Motherwell,” MacDonald said.
“After working with Iain previously, and understanding his style of play, I knew it was an opportunity that I simply couldn’t say no to.
“I can’t wait to meet up with everyone and get started.”
The 24-year-old became a standout performer in Glasgow last season, and has returned to play for Iain Robinson after previously working together whilst at Queens Park.
“I’m delighted to welcome Ellie to the club,” Head Coach Iain Robinson added.
“Ellie is a player that I’ve worked with previously, and she became an absolute standout for Queens Park last season.
“She really adds a new dynamic to our midfield, and plenty of competition for places.”
