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Our players have stopped taking the knee before matches, effective immediately from our Scottish Premiership match on Saturday 20 March.

Motherwell Football Club stands united with this collective decision and their reasons. We fully endorse the following statement from the players. It is time for action on racism, not empty gestures.

The players of Motherwell FC said:

“When we started taking the knee at the start of the season, it had an impact. For the first few weeks, the message was loud and clear. Now it has been lost.

“Taking a knee has become something someone does now for the sake of it. It has completely lost its meaning.

“As a squad, we spoke and asked ourselves ‘why are we doing this anymore? Is it having any impact at all?’. The answer was a clear no.

“Taking a knee has become an empty gesture. Instead, we want those in power to take real and immediate action on racism.

“Apathy and complacency have set into the routine. We want our actions to cause a realisation and a reaction.

“Racism is apparent everywhere in the day-to-day life of society. People need to realise change is required.

“Players, clubs, authorities and society now need to unite, and fight for a level playing field for all.”

Win a share of cash and other great prizes with our new, free-to-play Steelmen Selects predictor game.

Every Motherwell match week, we’re giving away £500.

To play, head to our dedicated Steelmen Selects game page and create an account.

Supporters compete on a peer-to-peer basis, predicting a series of match outcomes including goals scored, corners taken and saves made.

The more predictions you correctly make, the more points scored and higher up the leader board you move.

Steelmen Selects is in partnership with Low6.

“We are excited for the launch of Steelmen Selects and our partnership with Low6, Suzanne Reid, head of commercial and marketing at Motherwell FC, added.

“In the current climate, it is more important than ever to ensure our supporters remain connected to the club.

“The partnership will provide an additional revenue source for the club and with the game free to play and a £500 minimum prize pot from each game, it really is a win-win.”

Low6 Commercial Director Chris Hector added: “We are delighted to be partnering with Motherwell FC to produce the new free-to-play Steelmen Selects game.

“Bringing together an innovative, gamification-styled product to a brand with such an engaged audience is very exciting.”

*18+. T&Cs apply. Please play responsibly. Begambleaware.org.

We’re raising funds for SAMH by selling off programmes from ‘the game that never was’ against Aberdeen on 13 March 2020.

The fixture at Fir Park was cancelled on the day football shut down due to the Covid-19 outbreak, with Motherwell ending the curtailed season in third spot in the Premiership.

We’ve 300 copies of the programme that was printed to give away in exchange for a donation of your choice to SAMH, Scotland’s largest mental health charity.

The cover price was £3, but you’re welcome to donate as you see fit for a great cause. All monies raised go directly to SAMH.

To donate and get your hands on a copy, head to our JustGiving page.

Once you’ve received a receipt of your donation by email, forward it on to us at tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk, and we’ll hold you a copy for collection when it’s safe to do so.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ian St John.

Aged 82, the legendary Ancell Babe was a local boy who made waves at Fir Park and went on to great things after starting his career with the club.

Born in Motherwell, St John was at Hampden as a 13-year-old to witness the Steelmen lift the Scottish Cup for the very first time in 1952.

Five years later he would sign for his boyhood heroes. Over the course of the next four years, he would torment defences across the country, netting 80 goals in 113 league games.

His hat-trick in a League Cup tie against Hibernian in 1959, which was despatched in little more than two-and-a-half minutes, gained St John massive exposure.

But his consistent rate of finishing had already alerted the attention of the international selectors and a host of interested managers, and it was in that same year he was awarded the first of his caps for Scotland.

Making his international bow at the age of just 20, Ian would go on to net nine times in 21 appearances for his country.

In 1961, St John signed for Liverpool for £37,500, then the Anfield side’s record transfer fee paid. That sale would help finance the reconstruction of the main stand at Fir Park.

He would go on to enjoy a glorious decade with Bill Shankly’s side as they were transformed from the Second Division also-rans that Shankly inherited.

A Scottish Football Hall of Fame member, Ian was tempted back to Lanarkshire in 1973 as manager, putting together one of Motherwell’s most famous front-line partnerships in his former team-mate Bobby Graham and Willie Pettigrew.

Sadly St John’s time in the dugout at Fir Park would last little more than a year when he was lured to Portsmouth by promises of finance and support that well outstripped what Motherwell could offer.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

Paying tribute

“Like so many of us I was introduced to Motherwell and Fir Park by my dad,” Motherwell chairman Jim McMahon said of St John’s passing.

“The Saturday regime of catching the Law and Carluke supporters bus at the cross, then the journey down and the walk into the ground, is one I can still recall vividly. It is a memory I treasure.

“That was the era of the Ancell babes – a fabulous collection of players. But my hero, and in my view the greatest player I have seen in our colours, was Ian St John.

“I was lucky enough to see almost all his games and his technical skill, pace, vision and ambition cemented him as the player I wanted to be

“I was even luckier to get to know Ian in later life and to play golf with him as a special present for my 50th birthday. It’s often said that’s it dangerous to meet one’s heroes, but in my case, he was everything I expected – funny, charming, courteous and true to his roots and upbringing. He was a gentleman.

“I will miss him – he was a big part of my childhood.

“I am really sorry that we can’t have a crowd at our next home game to honour him but we will do that as soon as we get back to normality.

“Lots of words are in danger of being devalued – Ian St John is a legend.”

In a statement, his family said: “It is with a heavy heart that we have to inform you that after a long illness we have lost a husband, father and grandfather.

“He passed away peacefully with his family at his bedside. We would like to thank all the staff at Arrowe Park Hospital for their hard work and dedication during these very difficult times.

“The family would be grateful for privacy at this extremely sad time.”

Maurice Ross has left Motherwell Football Club to pursue new opportunities.

The first team coach departs after two years at Fir Park, having originally joined as Head of 18s to 21s, before taking up a role on the senior staff.

“I feel the time is right for me to pursue other challenges in my career, given how my role has changed here in recent months,” Ross said.

“I wish the new management, the team and the club all the best, and thank everyone for the time I’ve spent with Motherwell.”

Ross, who also made seven appearances for the club during his playing career, arrived at Fir Park with coaching experience as a manager in Norway, where he won back-to-back promotions with FK Sola, and in the Faroe Islands.

“First of all, I would like to thank Maurice for his commitment and professionalism since I joined the club,” manager Graham Alexander said of the departure.

“I can understand why he’s made this decision. I have nothing but good wishes for him going forward. I am sure he will continue to have a successful coaching career.”

Here’s an offer to get you in the mood for the derby. 

We’ve teamed up with Uber Eats to secure you a great deal for the weekend. You can get £10 off your first order at a whole host of local establishments.

Just use the promo code MOTHAM10 to get your discount.

To pick your items, head to ubereats.com or download the Uber Eats app.

Terms and conditions

£10 off offer available until 11.55 pm on 19 February 2021, valid on one (1) order made via the Uber Eats app in the UK (check the Uber Eats app for availability of deliveries and restaurants) when you spend a minimum of £15 per order on food and drink, excluding the delivery fee. Delivery fee applies. Other fees (such as a service fee) may apply to order. Offer is not valid on any basket that includes alcohol or tobacco products.

To be eligible for the promotion, apply code MOTHAM10 in the Uber Eats app at the checkout before completing the order. Offer available for first time users of the Uber Eats app only. Code can be applied for a maximum of 5000 users on a first come, first served basis. Read more at t.uber.com/EATST&Cs.

Motherwell Football Club acknowledges the report of the independent review into historic sexual abuse in Scottish football.

We sincerely apologise to anyone personally affected by historic sexual abuse within the Scottish game. We recognise that the impact of abuse on survivors and their families is not historic and continues.

As noted in the report, Motherwell FC undertook an internal inquiry in 2016 relating to the matters raised, which included hiring additional external help to try and uncover as much information as possible.

All of the findings were passed to the independent review, as well as Police Scotland, at that time.

The safety and wellbeing of children and young people, whilst in the care of Motherwell Football Club, was, is and will remain a priority for the board.

With reliance on technology soaring during the pandemic, our main partners Paycare are joining forces with Techtimeout to help people understand more about the potential wellbeing impacts of too much screen time.

Their wellbeing manager Kerry B Mitchell is set to host the latest in a series of monthly e-clinics on Wednesday 17 February at 10am.

This session is focused around ‘Tech-Life Balance’ and will feature guest speaker Stephanie Henson, founder of Techtimeout, a movement which encourages people to put down their phones and laptops regularly and enjoy some digital-free time.

“Technology is a huge part of our lives,” she explains.

“Most of us have no choice but to spend hours online – especially now work, homeschooling and socialising is mainly being done through screens.

“What’s worrying is that research indicates that the overuse of technology can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety and depression.

“Technology is essential but it’s so easy to become addicted – ever lose track of time scrolling, or experience an overwhelming desire to check your phone multiple times a day, even when you don’t need to?

“In a world where it’s near enough impossible to quit technology if it’s not supporting your mental health, it’s time to learn healthy habits and set boundaries.

“I’m looking forward to sharing an insight into the impact of technology in the workplace and I’ll be providing actionable tips employers and employees can take to support mental wellbeing and productivity.”

Kerry adds that all technology has a purpose and, now more than ever, it is extremely beneficial in keeping connected to enable those experiencing mental and physical health conditions to reach out to loved ones and to charities or professional support.

However, everyone has to find a balance between technology usage and living a wholesome life.

“We’ll be sharing information about the most up-to-date research on the topic, top tips for employers on how to support their teams to work productively from home, and suggestions about how to manage the pressure to be always online.

“Getting the right balance between being on and offline is tricky, but it can be done – as Steph and the Techtimeout team are proving – so I’d love for people to join the session to find out more.”

To book on to the free webinar, simply email wellbeing@paycare.org.

In addition to monthly e-clinics, Paycare Wellbeing offers a range of training opportunities including a two-day virtual accredited MHFA course. Visit paycare,org to find out more.

We are saddened to learn of the news of the death of Johannes Edvaldsson at the age of 70.

The former Iceland international played for Motherwell between 1982 and 1984, arriving from German side Hannover 96.

An uncompromising defender, “Shuggie”, as he was known, made 65 appearances in claret and amber, netting six goals. Primarily playing at the back, he could also be deployed to great effect further up the pitch.

Prior to arriving at Fir Park, he played with Valur, FC Metz, Celtic and Tulsa Roughnecks. He was capped 34 times by his country.

Everyone at Motherwell FC’s thoughts are with his family.

January is traditionally the month when we all resolve to start moving more, with new members queuing up to join the gym and more health and fitness related internet searches than any other month.

But with the UK now in lockdown for the rest of January, and leisure centres and swimming pools closed to the public, it looks likely that 2021 will be a little different.

Yet we know that exercise can dramatically enhance our wellbeing and positively impact our mental health – alongside all of the physical benefits.

Running for just 15 minutes a day, or walking for an hour, has been shown to reduce the risk of major depression by 26%.

Studies have also found anxiety and other mental health conditions are improved most by rhythmic, aerobic exercises including running, swimming and cycling.

In fact, there’s a whole campaign around the links between mental health and exercise – Red January – which encourages participants to get moving every day this month.

And since the current lockdown was announced, they’ve been using the motto ‘As we can’t be together in person, let’s be together in purpose’.

Our main partners Paycare are sharing their top tips to help everyone with their health and wellbeing and to beat those January lockdown blues:

• A lunchtime walk helps you take your eyes off the screen – and is sure to have you feeling more productive when you return to your desk.
• Joe Wicks is likely to spring to mind when you think about YouTube workouts, but there are thousands more to explore so you could try a different type of exercise every time to keep things fresh and exciting.
• Exercising outdoors with one person outside of your household or support bubble is allowed under the current rules – and this can include an outside personal training session as long as you are at least 2m apart at all times.
• Why not join together with your friends, family, or colleagues to try an online exercise class or take it in turns to lead a session during a weekly video call? At Paycare, different team members are setting up HIIT and Yoga sessions for us all to join in if we want to.
• Walking for 20 minutes a day consistently through the month will be much more beneficial than doing a 10-mile run once. So do remember to keep your goals realistic and manageable, scaling up the time and intensity of your workouts as you become fitter and stronger.
• You’ll need to up your water intake to account for the fluid you use while exercising, so remember to keep sipping away during the day.