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An under-rated but extremely popular player, midfielder Jamie Dolan played more than 200 games for the Steelmen in a decade plus career at Fir Park. 

A product of the Motherwell youth system Jamie made his first outings in Tommy McLean’s side during season 1988’89.

Used sporadically over the course of the next two or three campaigns it was only during season 1991’92 that he became a fully fledged member of Tommy McLean’s first-team squad.

By the time of McLean’s departure in 1994, with his carefully constructed squad heading for its peak Dolan was as key a figure as any within it.  Whilst it was his international midfield colleagues Phil O’Donnell, Paul Lambert and the creative Billy Davies who generally grabbed the headlines Jamie was the midfield lynchpin who allowed the trio to do what they did best.

In all his determined and battling displays in claret and amber there is however one which stands out above all the rest.  It was on 7^th December 1996 that ‘Well faced Celtic at Fir Park. Going ahead through Billy Davies, Motherwell were in command until a facial injury forced ‘keeper Scott Howie to go off.  With no substitute goalkeeper on the bench it was Jamie, the smallest man of the park, who took his gloves and went between the posts.

Performing heroics time after time the Salsburgh born player kept Celtic at bay and when the visitors did finally level it was through no fault of Dolan’s. having been left isolated by a short back-pass.

The day however was to be Jamie’s with his goalkeeping feats providing Motherwell with the platform to snatch victory in the final minute, ironically after his opposite number in the Celtic goal had spilled a shot allowing Ian Ross to slide home from close range.

It would prove to be something of a final flourish for Jamie in a Motherwell jersey. With his side struggling to find the net little more than a month later Alex McLeish sacrificed Dolan’s midfield tenacity for the striking prowess of Owen Coyle of Dundee Utd, where Dolan would work under  Tommy McLean once again.

Thereafter Jamie had something of a nomadic existence serving Dunfermline, Livingston, Forfar and Partick before dropping down to the junior ranks.

Sadly tragedy would strike when Jamie passed away aged just thirty-nine from a heart condition that had also struck his father at a similarly early age.

He remains fondly remembered by the Motherwell support.

Extended Highlights from the Excelsior Stadium where the Under 20s come from behind to beat Falkirk 3-2 in the Development League.

Referee for Saturday’s league clash with Inverness CT at Fir Park is the experienced Willie Collum.

One of Europe’s most recognisable officials, Willie will be handling his fourth ‘Well fixture of the campaign, after taking charge of the Lanarkshire derby back in September, the away trip to St Johnstone in December and the home loss to Rangers in January.

On that day, goals from Emerson Hyndman and Kenny Miller secured all three points for the Gers.

Against St Johnstone, an early own-goal from Saints keeper Zander Clark was cancelled out by an equally fortunate goal from forward Chris Kane as the two sides played out for a point at McDiarmind Park.

The clash before that, against Hamilton, was a historic day as star forward Louis Moult bagged a phenomenal four goals as the Steelmen stormed to a 4-2 victory over local rivals Hamilton.

Last season, Collum took charge on three occasions – all resulting in 2-1 defeats.

The first was a defesat to eventual Champions Celtic, who clinched a 2-1 victory on a day when the Steelmen put in a sound display.

The other two fixtures also ended in 1-2 home defeats. The first was at the hands of Aberdeen when Marvin Johnson’s early opener was cancelled out by Niall McGinn and Ash Taylor.

The second, at the end of January, ended with Ross County taking the points when Stephen Pearson’s late goal wasn’t enough to earn the Fir Parkers anything after Jackson Irvine and Brian Graham had put the Staggies into a commanding lead.

Those results are on the back of the six he took charge of in the 2014/15 campaign too.

His overall record in charge of the Steelmen reads ten wins, nineteen defeats and eight draws from thirty-seven matches (in all competitions).

In those games, Motherwell have scored 51 and conceded 67.

82 players have gone into the book, 37 wearing Claret and Amber, while eight players have been dismissed – Ian Murray of Hibs at Easter Road seven years back, Jerard Aafjes at Falkirk seven seasons ago, Paul Dixon at the end of 2009/10, Henrik Ojamaa at the Caledonian Stadium and Fraser Kerr down at Rugby Park. Stephen McManus was shown a red card against Aberdeen but that was later rescinded after an appeal. O’Halloran and McDonald were both shown red in the referee’s last match involving the Steelmen.

Willie will be assisted by Frank Connor and David McGeachie with Steven Reid listed as fourth official.

Stephen Craigan was pleased with the way his team managed to overcome Falkirk tonight as they secured a 3-2 victory at the Excelsior Stadium.

And a tough Falkirk side, who looked content to sit in and frustrate the Fir Parkers, nearly sparked a late comeback, but the ‘Well held on to take their points tally to their highest ever of 54.

Speaking to MFC TV at full time, the Northern Irishman praised his youngsters.

He said: “We did well because Falkirk sat in a little and went with a 5-4-1 initially, so they smothered our space.

[pullquote]We had a lot of the ball without really hurting them and when you play against a system like that and then you concede it becomes even more frustrating.[/pullquote]

“We had a lot of the ball without really hurting them and when you play against a system like that and then you concede it becomes even more frustrating.”

He added: “So I’m pleased that we were able to play against a team who were quite negative in their set-up, which is fine because there’s no right or wrong way to play, it just made it harder for us to crack and I’m pleased we did.”

Supporters have a chance to win Hospitality for Saturday’s clash with Inverness CT – courtesy of Carabao.

Energy drink, Carabao, offers a premium great tasting energy boost, designed to give hard working men and women a boost of energy to help them get through their busy lives.

The drink takes inspiration from the ‘Carabao’, the revered Asian water-buffalo.

The brand is fully involved in football, partnering with a number of Scottish and English Club’s and are delighted to be supporting Motherwell FC as one of our brand partners.

Carabao will be offering Motherwell and Inverness supporters the opportunity to sample their product pre-match on Saturday and in addition, they are giving away 2 Millennium hospitality tickets for the match.  Hospitality includes:

·         Arrival 2pm for snacks and complimentary bar

·         Half-time refreshments

·         Complimentary bar for one hour following the match

·         Dress code: collar and tie (no jeans or trainers permitted)

To enter, simply email your name, address and contact number to Graeme Clark: Graeme@scot-serve.co.uk

The lucky winner plus guest will be selected on Friday at 12 noon and will be able to select and present the man of the match award. Good luck to everyone!

Motherwell under-20s secured their highest Development League points tally with a 3-2 win over Falkirk tonight.

A Dylan Mackin brace and Jack McMillan’s second goal in two games was enough for the Fir Parkers to break down a resolute Bairns side.

Stephen Craigan included senior players Jacob Blyth, Joe Chalmers, David Ferguson and Russell Griffiths in his side as the youngsters looked to extend their run of form following last weeks 4-0 victory over St Mirren.

But they endured a difficult opening ten minutes to give themselves an uphill task.

Blyth went down injured after just six minutes and had to eventually make his way off the park and then down the tunnel in crutches. That forced the Fir Parkers in to a hasty change as Jake Hastie came on.

Just a few minutes later though and matters got worse when Reis Peggie fired a thunderous effort past Griffiths from just inside the area.

From that point onwards, Craigan’s side grew in to the game and enjoyed long periods with the ball but couldn’t break down a resolute Bairns backline.

Hastie summed up the Steelmen’s frustrations with an ambitious effort from distance, but McMinn could only push it wide.

From the resulting corner, Falkirk again turned it away from danger but at the expense of yet another set piece.

Adam Livingstone swung a terrific ball in to the area for the head of Mackin, who leaped highest to head beyond McMinn.

On the stroke of half time, Hastie could have nodded the Fir Parkers in front but, on the stretch, couldn’t get over it and it sailed over the bar.

The half time whistle came at a time when Motherwell seemed to be growing in to the game, but the break didn’t halt the youngsters – who came flying out the traps at the start of the second period.

Mackin nodded his second of the game beyond McMinn in the 48th minute but took a hefty knock in the process – showing terrific bravery to head the Fir Parkers in front.

Five minutes later and the youngsters made it three when Hastie’s low effort was palmed in to the path of a grateful Jack McMillan, who made no mistake as he slotted home his second goal in his last two games.

With just over ten minutes remaining, Craigan gave Mackin a rest and brought on Alfredo Agyeman as his side looked to see the game out.

But with just a few minutes to go, Falkirk drew one back and made the final moments a little more nervy for the Steelmen.

From a freekick just outside the box on the right corner of the area, Kyle Johnson struck an unstoppable effort across goal in to the far top corner, right in the postage stamp.

It was too little, too late as far as the visitors were concerned, but for Craigan and the Motherwell under-20s, it was a good win, made sweeter by the fact it secured the club’s highest ever Development League finish.

Motherwell U20s: Griffiths, McMillan, Livingstone, Ferguson, Chalmers, Armstrong, Fry, Turnbull, Mackin (Agyeman ’78), Blyth (Hastie ‘6), Gordon

Unused subs: Pettigrew

Extended Highlights from Fir Park as a David Turnbull double helps the Steelmen to a 4-0 win over St Mirren in the Development League.

U20s boss Stephen Craigan believes it is hugely important for his side to maintain momentum as they head in to the final few games of the season.

And with Falkirk up next for the under-20s, the manager looked ahead to another interesting encounter, with Falkirk just one spot behind the Steelmen in the Development League table.

Speaking to MFC TV, the Northern Irishman said: “Players want to be involved with the first team and they want to step up but that’s a challenge for the players individually.

[pullquote]The challenge for us is to keep them going, but I haven’t really had a problem with them in that sense in the past, so I don’t expect that will come in now.[/pullquote]

“Some of the boys are still fighting for contracts and and some of them are fighting to stay in the game, and some of them are fighting to potentially get on the bench for the first team.”

He added: “The challenge for us is to keep them going, but I haven’t really had a problem with them in that sense in the past, so I don’t expect that will come in now.”

You can watch the full interview with the U20s boss on MFC TV’s official YouTube channel.

Under-20s boss Stephen Craigan was never in doubt that his youngsters would bounce back from last week’s semi-final loss.

And following tonight’s 4-0 victory over St Mirren at Fir Park, the Northern Irishman reflected on an impressive performance.

Speaking to MFC TV at full time, Craigan said: “We’re pleased, naturally, and of course things got a little bit easier when they went down to ten-men because the intensity of the game changed a bit.

[pullquote]I never really had any fears that the boys wouldn’t bounce back because younger boys are more resilient and there isn’t as much focus on under-20s football.[/pullquote]

“But I feel that even at eleven vs eleven we were good although we didn’t start the game too well.”

He added: “If you told me before the game that we’d have won 4-0 I’d obviously have taken it so I’m pleased.

“I never really had any fears that the boys wouldn’t bounce back because younger boys are more resilient and there isn’t as much focus on under-20s football.”

You can watch Craigan’s full post-match interview on MFC TV’s official YouTube channel.

Motherwell U20s are in league action tomorrow night as they take on Falkirk U20s at the Excelsior Stadium.

Following last weeks 4-0 against St Mirren U20s, Craigan’s side will be keen to carry on their run of form and extend their winning run in the Development League.

A brace from Davie Turnbull and goals from Jake Hastie and Jack McMillan sealed a comfortable victory for the youngsters last time out.

Tomorrow’s opponents Falkirk currently sit sixth in the table, just one spot below the young Steelmen in fifth, making for an interesting encounter between the two sides.

There is just five points separating the teams too, with Falkirk coming in to the match on the back of a 3-0 win over Dundee, having played a game more than the ‘Well.

For all the action, follow @MotherwellFC on Twitter for live updates and to catch the highlights, subscribe to the official MFC TV YouTube channel.