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John Sutton revealed he still has unfinished business at ‘Well after admitting he had reservations about leaving the club in the first place.

The 29-year old departed Fir Park for Hearts in the summer of 2011, but did so with a heavy heart.

‘Well had just got to a Cup final but, similar to this summer, had question marks over the future of some of the squad with players like Jamie Murphy, Steve Jennings and Darren Randolph all touted for moves elsewhere.

In the season he left, the Steelmen fell at the final hurdle both in Europe and in the Scottish Cup and that is Sutton’s motivation as he prepares for the forthcoming campaign.

[pullquote]We never quite managed to win that Scottish Cup Final and never managed to get into the Europa League group stages, which would be an incredible achievement for a club of our size and, you never knew, this may very well be our year.[/pullquote]

“When I said last Friday that I didn’t want to leave, I suppose I should say that I choose to go,” he admitted to the broadcast media at this afternoon’s press conference.

“I remember sitting with the manager (Stuart McCall) in his office. He had not long arrived at the club and we had just got to the Cup Final. I was asking about the future of some of the players in the squad.

“I asked after a number of players as contracts were up and, a bit like this summer, it was a bit of an upheaval. At the same time, Jim Jefferies at Hearts had made it quite clear that he wanted me to go there.

“Obviously I made the choice that I did and I must say that I did so with a heavy heart. You can’t say that you regret things in life because you do things that you think are the best at the time and I enjoyed myself at Hearts.

“But I have unfinished business here. We never quite managed to win that Scottish Cup Final (versus Celtic) and never managed to get into the Europa League group stages (versus Odense), which would be an incredible achievement for a club of our size and, you never knew, this may very well be our year.”

-WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE ON MFC TV–

Former Birmingham City defender Fraser Kerr has become the fourth signing of the summer after completing a two-year deal this morning.

The Scotland U21 International, a product of the Motherwell FC Youth Academy, was on loan at Fir Park from the St Andrew’s club last season and performed well when called upon.

In particular, matches around his debut, including the UEFA Europa League tie in Levante, is where he shone most. In total, he featured nineteen times in Claret and Amber including twelve starts.

At just 20-years old, standing 6ft 3 in and deceptively quick, Kerr has all the tools to develop and Stuart McCall wants the youngster to form part of his new-look squad for 2013/14.

[pullquote]My aim is to try and establish myself as a first-team player. The second half of last season was interrupted by injuries so I am hoping to stay injury free and play some more regularly this season.[/pullquote]

Although he signed a deal some weeks ago, the club had to wait until today to register the player following his contract expiring with the Blues on June 30. He will wear the number 20 shirt this season.

Speaking exclusively to MFC TV, Kerr said: “I am absolutely delighted to sign for Motherwell. When I was up on loan last season, I knew even then this is the place I wanted to be when my contract at Birmingham City expired.

“I am really grateful for the manager for showing faith in me. My aim is to try and establish myself as a first-team player. The second half of last season was interrupted by injuries so I am hoping to stay injury free and play some more regularly this season.

“Pre-season has been great so far; I just can’t wait for the games to get going again.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Motherwell FC is this morning delighted to confirm John Sutton has re-signed for the club on a two-year contract.

The 29-year old was made redundant by Hearts yesterday, paving the way for his return to Fir Park after two seasons in the Capital.

Sutton, of course, was a Motherwell player between 2008 and 2011, recruited by the then boss Mark McGhee from Wycombe.

The Englishman netted 44 times in 115 appearances in Claret and Amber, his most prolific return during his professional career.

His hottest run of form followed Stuart McCall’s arrival in January 2011 – Sutton netting eleven times as the season drew to a close.

[pullquote]Most of the fans were kind to me when I left and were brilliant with me when I was here so it was a no brainer. I felt at home here last time, I enjoyed coming to work every day and I am sure that will be the case again now.[/pullquote]

He becomes Motherwell’s third signing of the summer after the arrival of Iain Vigurs and Paul Lawson from Ross County and will wear the number nine shirt at Fir Park.

Speaking exclusively to MFC TV, Sutton said: “Obviously there has been plenty going on over the summer but I am just glad it has been sorted out now.

“It’s good to be back, good to season some familiar faces and there’s a lot to look forward to.

“I wasn’t desperate to leave here last time and I was glad the opportunity to come back again and work with the manager and the staff who always made me feel welcome any time I returned.

“Most of the fans were kind to me when I left and were brilliant with me when I was here so it was a no brainer. I felt at home here last time, I enjoyed coming to work every day and I am sure that will be the case again now.”

-WATCH HIS FIRST INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

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Summer signing Paul Lawson says he can’t wait to take the step up into European football this summer.

The former Ross County and Celtic midfielder has yet to experience coming up against continental opposition in a competitive match.

But he’ll get his chance when the Steelmen are in the hat for third round of the Europa League draw on July 19.

Speaking to the broadcast media as ‘Well returned for pre-season training, the 28-year old is hopeful the summer recruits can fill the void left by the recent departures.

[pullquote]”European football is a massive step-up for me in my career.[/pullquote]

“When I left Celtic a few years ago, I moved down a couple of division and I would like to think I’ve progressed every year since.

“This is another step up for me and it’s a challenge I am really looking forward to.

“Obviously people are talking about the players who have gone and yes, it will be difficult to repeat the sort of season we had last term, but it’s about to myself and the other boys who come in to fill the boots of those who left. We are well up for it!”

-WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON MFC TV–

Motherwell boss Stuart McCall has admitted he has given up hope of keeping Michael Higdon and Tom Hateley.

Both players were out of contract and were offered extended terms to stay on at Fir Park.

However, McCall told the gathered press at Motherwell’s return to pre-season news conference that both players have notified him they do not intent to return.

The former Scotland International was a bit more hopeful of James McFadden who is still to decide where his future will lie.

He said: “We now think of them (Hateley and Higdon) as ex-players.

“Their agents have made it clear they won’t be coming back. I’ve spoken to both of them. They were both great servants for the club and I’ve no worries about them going south.

[pullquote]But I’ve got belief in the players we’re targeting now and that we’re speaking to. We’ve got to aim as high as we can to bring in the quality we need. If we can’t get them then you move down your list.[/pullquote]

“But there is always a chance with James. We had him in for training at this stage last year, but he went to Sunderland. Then he came back to us in the Christmas period but we didn’t know what was going to happen.

“He ended up coming knocking on the door and signing with us. He played really well and it was a good fit. He did well for us and we gave him a platform to get fit.

“With James, as with all good players, he will have options. But you are not going to wait forever for any player. We will see over the weekend where James decided is best for his future, whether it’s abroad, England or another Scottish club.

“But we would love to have him back. If it can happen, we will try to make it happen.”

-WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON MFC TV–

Motherwell can confirm their second pre-season friendly with an away trip to face Morecambe on Saturday 20 July.

The Steelmen will make the journey across the border to Lancashire to face the League Two side at their impressive new Globe Arena stadium.

Managed by Jim Bentley, the Shrimps finished sixteenth in the table last season and will provide another stiff test for Stuart McCall’s side as they prepare for domestic and European football.

Admission prices will be announced as soon as it is confirmed.

CONFIRMED PRE-SEASON INFORMATION SO FAR:

9th – 12th July: Pre-Season Training Camp in Spain
16th July: Newcastle Utd (h): 7pm KO
20th July: Morecambe (a): 2pm KO

Picture courtesy of 100 Football Ground Blog

Motherwell Football Club is today delighted to confirm they have been granted associate membership of the European Club Association (ECA).

Leeann Dempster and Derek Weir both attended the ECA General Assembly in Doha, Qatar back in February and were officially notified of their membership by General Secretary Michele Centenaro last week.

It means club representatives will be able to rub shoulders and share information with football heavyweights such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, AC Milan and many more.

The Steelmen were invited to join the elite group after consistent qualification for European football between 2008 and 2013 and join Celtic, Rangers, Hearts and Aberdeen as the only representatives from Scotland.

The ECA is the sole, independent body directly representing football clubs at European level. It replaced the G14 Group and the European Club Forum, both dissolved at the beginning of 2008. ECA was fully recognized by UEFA and FIFA in a formal memorandum of understanding, which was signed in January 2008.

As the representative of 207+ clubs (drawn from every one of the 53 National Associations within UEFA), they are the nuclear family of the football society.

The association is made of competitive friends, who face each other on the pitch to win the game, but also face each other in meeting rooms while working together for the benefit of all. They promote the interests of European club football.

ECA Objectives:

• To safeguard and promote the interests of European club football in particular, and club football in general;
• To represent the interests of the clubs as employers and to act as a social partner where appropriate;
• To contribute to the healthy development of European club competitions organised by UEFA, by taking part in the relevant decision-making process;
• To contribute to the good governance of European football, in particular by participating in the appropriate bodies established within UEFA;
• To foster the exchange of information and expertise between clubs and other football stakeholders;
• To support and uphold the sporting values and principles on which European football is based;
• To maintain contacts, cooperation and negotiations with any football-related organisations, or with any relevant public and private institutions as well as with non-member clubs.

Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been granted membership to the ECA, it’s a real feather in our cap and a boost for Scottish football to have another club involved.

“I must pay tribute to everyone at the club who has managed to keep us at such a consistent level for a prolonged period which has allowed us this invite.

“We are really excited to be taking part and hope to learn and grow with some of the very cream of European football in the next three years.”

Motherwell FC Community Trust, in partnership with the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, will again host their successful Summer Soccer Camp for the six weeks throughout the holidays.

The Summer Camp, which takes place at the fantastic Astroturf facility at Fir Park stadium, is for boys & girls of all abilities aged 5-15 years.

Participants will enjoy a wide range of football activities delivered by SFA Quality Mark coaches from dribbling, passing and shooting through to penalty competitions, and small-sided games.

Prices; £10 a day, £5 a half day, £45 for the week: 9am-3pm every day!

To book please and for more information on what to bring, please call the Community Trust on 01698 239926 or visit www.motherwellsoccerschools.com.

• Week 1: Monday 1st July-Friday 5th July
• Week 2: Monday 8th July-Friday 12th July
• Week 3: Monday 15th July-Friday 19th
• Week 4: Monday 22nd July-Friday 26th July
• Week 5: Monday 29th July-Friday 2nd August
• Week 6: Monday 5th August-Friday 9th August

Motherwell will kick off the new season with an away tie against Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday 4^th August.

The Steelmen will then face a home match with Aberdeen the following Sunday, away to Inverness CT, home to Partick Thistle before finishing the first month with another home tie against Kilmarnock.

The first match against Celtic is Saturday 5^th October at Celtic Park.

The festive period sees a home match with St Mirren the Saturday before Christmas, a long trip to Aberdeen on Boxing Day, Partick Thistle away on the 29^th December and St Johnstone at Fir Park on New Years Day.

Coincidentally, the last match before the split is the same as it was last term, St Mirren, although this season it will be in Paisley as opposed to Lanarkshire; Saturday 5^th of April for that one.

Our first UEFA Europa League ties will be sandwiched either side of the SPL opener in the Capital, with the first leg on Thursday 1^st August with the return a week later, Thursday 8^th August.

> FULL FIXTURE LIST

Motherwell Football Club is saddened to learn of the death of former defender Peter Millar.

Peter was a local lad, hailing from Wishaw, and was a Motherwell fan in his youth who eventually lined up for his boyhood heroes.

He started his senior career with Arbroath before making a £12,000 move to Dunfermline.

He was a regular for the East End Park side and even managed to score from the spot for the Pars at Fir Park in 4-1 win during season 1971/72. This must have been enough to impress the then Motherwell boss Bobby Howitt, who snapped him up in the summer of 1972.

It was thought he could add depth to playing squad, capable as he was of playing in both a defensive role as well as in midfield. In time he went on to establish himself in the starting eleven as a tough tackling midfielder alongside guys like Stewart McLaren, Willie Watson and Gregor Stevens.

This was a quartet who had a reputation, as the old saying goes, for “kicking their granny” to get to the ball. It was this tough tackling that built a platform for the ball players like Vic Davidson and Peter Marinello.

Millar was the man that the managers he played under, Howitt, Ian St. John and Willie McLean, would ask to stop the opposition’s best player from performing, including the likes of Kenny Dalglish at Celtic who suffered many a bruising encounter with the physical Millar.

He played a major role in the 1970s side as helped them qualify for the first ever season of the Premier League and reached two Scottish Cup Semi Finals. It was a side that promised so much but, unfortunately, in the end never actually delivered a big prize. Sadly the two semi-finals, against Rangers and Airdrie, ended in controversial defeats that are still talked about to this day.

His performances in Claret and Amber were rewarded with one appearance for his country, at Scottish League level in 1974, when he lined up against the English Football League. Sadly the result was a five-nil defeat for the Scots, with Denis Tueart, Trevor Brooking, Stan Bowles and Colin Bell scoring for England.

Teammate Peter Marinello also had memories of his teammate, which he detailed in his autobiography: “Peter ‘Doomie’ Millar was a good strong player but a born pessimist. He would have been brilliant in Dads Army as Private Fraser, the character who rushed around proclaiming, ‘Doomed, we’re all doomed.’”

With the club lurching towards relegation under the leadership of Ally McLeod at the end of the 1978/79 season, Millar was allowed to move on and join newly promoted Dundee with teammate Stewart McLaren. He played 238 games at Fir Park, scoring 22 goals.

He also had a short spell in the United States before returning to Scotland to take up a career in the Civil Service. He was also involved in the clubs’ Youth Development programme for a spell, working as a coach alongside current Academy Director Gordon Young.

A club spokesperson said: “Everyone at Motherwell FC is deeply saddened to learn of Peter’s death. He had been struggling with illness of late but his passing has still come as a bit of a shock to the system, being just 62.

“For ‘Well fans of a certain vintage, Peter played a big part in what is considered an exciting and entertaining period for the football club during the 1970s.

“He was renowned for being a committed, hard-working, tough-tackling defender who could also play football.

“He also played a part with the club after his retirement from the game; working alongside current Academy Director Gordon Young with the clubs’ pro-youths, directly coaching players like Mark Reynolds during his spell.

“He will be sadly missed by all and the deepest condolences of everyone at Fir Park are with his wife Jean, his children Nicola, Barry and Peter and the rest of his family and friends.”

Words: Graham Barnstaple