| 2 | Celtic | 35 | 23 | 4 | 8 | 27 | 73 |
| 3 | Rangers | 35 | 19 | 12 | 4 | 33 | 69 |
| 4 | Motherwell | 36 | 15 | 13 | 8 | 23 | 58 |
| 5 | Hibernian | 36 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 54 |
| 6 | Falkirk | 36 | 14 | 7 | 15 | -4 | 49 |
Matt Penney is your player of the month for November.
The full-back on loan from Ipswich scoops his second player of the month award since arriving at the club in August.
He has played every minute since his debut against Inverness in the Premier Sports cup.
It was Penney’s touch that setup Louis Moult at Tynecastle, when the striker won the penalty against Hearts.
It was a derby day to remember for Motherwell as they thumped Hamilton 3-1 on Sunday in SWPL.
First half goals from Georgie Rafferty, Kaela McDonald-Nguah and Carla Boyce was enough to secure three points for Motherwell.
It was a close opening 20 minutes with Katie Rice having the only real chance. After being fouled on the edge of box, she then got up and took the free kick from 25 yards and skimmed the top of the bar.
Despite few chances, Motherwell controlled all the boy and made it count on the half hour mark. Hamilton failed to clear their lines from a corner and Georgie Rafferty picked up the ball on the left edge of the box and curled an effort into the back of the net.
It was 0-2 on 37 minutes. McDonald-Nguah managed to back heel the ball over the line from a Motherwell set piece.
Motherwell continued their ruthlessness on 43 minutes. Boyce picking up the ball from 20 yards and swivelled and smashed an effort on the volley to make it 0-3 at half time.
Hamilton came out the traps flying in the second half and pulled one back on 52 minutes. Tara McGonigle finishing from a cutback.
McDonald-Nguah almost restored the three goal lead straight after. Good work from Lori Gardner driving in from the left hand side, she found the striker who seen her effort gathered by the keeper.
The rest of the half played out with very few chances until the 80th minute, when Katie Rice fouled in the area and Accies were awared a penalty kick.
Megan Quinn would step up but she blazed over the bar and the game finished 3-1 to the women of steel.
Fan ownership at Motherwell FC goes from strength to strength, with membership of the Well Society this month exceeding the 3500 mark. And to celebrate we’re giving one lucky fan a day to remember.
We’ll draw one member’s details from the hat on Wednesday 14 December. They’ll win a hospitality package for two for the Ross County game on 14 January 2023 at Fir Park. They’ll also have the opportunity to meet former and current players and receive a signed shirt.
Doug Inglis from the Society board said: “Reaching 3500 members on the books is a significant milestone, and we’d like to thank each and every fan who has become part of the Society. This achievement is especially pleasing against the economic backdrop we are all facing.”
Any fan can become a member of Motherwell FC through the Well Society from as little as £5 per month. As well as holding a reserve fund for the club, the Well Society, as majority shareholder, have made almost £10,000 available this year to further Society objectives. This has included covering travel costs for youth teams, promoting football coaching roles for local women and helping the Walking Football team take part in European competition.
Doug added: “We’re proud that we have been able to promote the game of football and uphold the values the club through a number of initiatives. This is only possible through the support from members’ contributions.”
If you haven’t yet done so, here’s how you can support the Well Society and add to the 3500 who play their part in owning Motherwell Football Club.
NEW MEMBERS
Join the Well Society. Pledges start at just £5 per month (or £3 per month for those aged 16-26 in full time education or low-income employment).
EXISTING MEMBERS: UPPING YOUR PLEDGE
We’ve had several existing members increasing their pledge, for example from £5 to £10 per month. To do this simply click here, set up a new pledge and cancel your existing direct debit. Alternatively drop an email to well.society@motherwellfc.co.uk and we’ll cancel your existing pledge for you.
EXISTING MEMBERS: MAKE YOUR ANNUAL RENEWAL PAYMENT
If you’ve not paid any membership fees in the past 12 months please do so using whichever method is most convenient for you:
Please use your name or Well Society number (if known) as the reference.
If you’re responsible for a Junior Steel membership, you can renew here (scroll to the end and choose the £20 renew option or the £2 per month option).
ONE-OFF DONATIONS
One-off donations can be made through Paypal to: well.society@motherwellfc.co.uk.
Scott Fox has returned to the club having his loan to Queen of the South cancelled by mutual consent.
Fox made four appearances for the Doonhamers following his arrival in early September.
A short illness meant Max Currie regained the number one spot which left the Motherwell man watching his teammates from the bench.
Motherwell take on Hamilton Accies on Sunday 27 November at New Douglas Park in SWPL 1.
Kick-off is 4pm.
Tickets for the game cost £5 for an adult, with children and concession tickets costing £2.
It’s the first meeting between the two sides this season as the Women of Steel look to build on a fine win over Aberdeen last weekend.
Both teams have one win in their last five, with Motherwell sitting two points above Accies.
Accies have shipped 13 goals in their last three home games, against high-flying Glasgow City, Partick Thistle and Hearts.
A win for Motherwell would help them stay in the chase for a position in the top half of the league.
Motherwell take on Aberdeen on Sunday 20 November at K-Park in SWPL.
Kick-off is 4pm.
Tickets for the game cost £8 for an adult, with children and concession tickets costing £3.
Card and cash payments are accepted at the ground. There is no option to buy tickets before the match.
Motherwell have had a two week layoff since their last outing against Partick Thistle.
The women of steel came up short on that occasion, losing 1-0. The ‘Well’s last victory came back at the start of October against Dundee United.
Aberdeen have had a tricky start to their season and sit 11th in the table.
They picked up their first win of the season in their last match against Glasgow Women at Pittodrie.
In what had already been a successful season for Max Johnston, the full-back received the call every player wants.
One from his country saying he has been called up for international duty.
Although this was his first time in the Scotland Under 21 squad, the 19-year-old was more than up to the task and got straight to work in camp.
With a friendly match against Iceland at Fir Park ahead, Johnston found out he was not only in the match day squad but starting.
Despite a mixture of nerves and excitement, the Cove Rangers loanee netted the opener for Scotland in the first half in front of his parents and friends in the crowd.
Although it was defeat for Scotland on the night, it was a victory for Max Johnston who made the next step in his already promising career.
Make it a December to remember!
We are delighted to unveil its amazing festive programme for 2022, bigger and better than before!
Whether you are catching up with friends, family or colleagues, celebrate in style in the Centenary Suite at Fir Park. Combining your favourite Christmas classics with dance floor fillers, and bringing a live saxophone to the party, this will be a Christmas party your guests will never forget.
Our party nights are now open to book and run from 7pm – 1am.
Available dates are as follows:
LIMITED AVAILABILITY
We also have an earlier option, with our Boozy Brunch.
Enjoy a shot on arrival and a delicious 3-course meal in addition to the live entertainment listed above.
Tickets can be secured with a £10 deposit at the time of booking.
Call our events team on 01698 338003 to book or for more information.
Our party nights are for over 18’s only!Our events are non refundable & non transferable.
Motherwell got back to winning ways with a thumping 4-1 win over Aberdeen at K-Park.
The women of steel returned to form with arguably their best performance of the campaign, with the win edging them close to the teams in the top six.
The hosts raced into a three-goal lead at the interval courtesy of Gill Inglis and Kaela McDonald-Nguah. Aberdeen pulled one back early in the second half through Bailley Collins, but McDonald-Nguah quickly restored the three-goal advantage, and that’s how it would stay as ‘Well picked up their first league win since late September.
Paul Brownline named just one change to the side that lost to Partick Thistle 18 days previous, with Lori Gardiner replacing Kodie Hay, who had to be content with a place amongst the substitutes. During the warm-up, Jo Addie picked up a niggle, and Georgie Rafferty replaced her in the heart of the back four before the teams kicked off.
Motherwell looked in the mood and after hitting the post in the opening three minutes through Inglis, who got on the end of McDonald-Nguah’s cross from the left, but her deft flick came back off the inside of the post before eventually being cleared.
However, it was only delaying the inevitable as Motherwell got their noses in front not long after. Rice picked up on a loose ball twenty-five yards from goal and send an effort crashing off the Dons cross bar. It bounced out to Inglis who wouldn’t be denied this time, bundling the ball home from close range to give the hosts a deserved lead.
‘Well doubled their advantage just ten minutes later with a really well-worked team goal. A throw-in deep in Dons territory was collected by McDonald-Nguah inside the area. She flicked it on to the supporting Carla Boyce, who cleverly pulled it back for Rice, who took a touch before reversing a low shot into the bottom corner.
The home side were relentless and were constantly knocking on the door for a third goal, before it finally arrived six minutes before the half-time interval. A loose pass in midfield was picked up by Inglis, who immediately drove towards goal. She timed her pass to McDonald-Nguah perfectly, who took aim from 25-yards, squeezing a shot through Annalisa McCann and into the net.
To their credit, Aberdeen came out of the blocks much improved in the second half. They made a triple sub and changed the shape, and it certainly gave the Reds more impetus, particularly as an attacking threat.
They hit the post through substitute Ogilvie before Eva Thompson came close with an effort from the edge of the area following industrious striker play from Hutchison, who had capitalised on a short back pass and had gone round the goalie before cutting the ball back, only for the shot to be saved on the line by Emily Mutch.
The Dons did eventually get one back though. A ball over the top created a foot race between Hutchison and Mutch in the ‘Well goal. It squirmed loose to the supporting Collins, who did well to lift her shot high into the unguarded net to give Emma Hunter and Gavin Beith’s side some hope.
However, that was quickly dashed when, within just one minute, Motherwell had restored the three-goal lead.
Collecting from deep, full-back Lauren Doran-Barr sent a superb pass down the right flank, setting Inglis scampering towards the penalty box. With McDonald-Nguah taking up a space inside the box, the skipper’s cross was perfect for the striker, who made no mistake, drilling home from close range to put the game beyond the visitors.
Motherwell could have added to their lead late in the game, but substitute Kodie Hay’s goal bound looking effort was bravely blocked by Eilidh Shore, before Boyce was denied by the fingertips of McCann, who had got her head to a teasing Amy Anderson cross from the right.
It finished 4-1, with ‘Well now facing a Lanarkshire derby against Hamilton at New Douglas Park next Sunday.
Legendary ‘Ancell Babe’ winger Willie Hunter is the final name to be inducted in the 2022 Motherwell FC Hall of Fame.
Hunter, or Billy to his friends and family, would become the darling of every Motherwell fan of a certain generation.
Following a few years of typical Motherwell Football Club inconsistency a major decision was taken between the boardroom and the manager’s chair during the summer of 1956.
After a year in the Fir Park hotseat, Bobby Ancell implemented a policy of no longer signing ready made “seasoned” football players from other clubs, and going back to pursuing a strategy of developing talented youngsters from Scotland’s central belt in true Motherwell tradition.
That close season would see the first moves to support the new thinking at Fir Park. Youngsters Bert McCann, William Cowie, Pat Holton and ‘keeper Alan Wylie all arrived from Queens’ Park, Kilsyth Rangers, Hamilton Accies and Penicuik respectively.
Whilst the named four signings went on to contribute to a decent season for the Fir Parkers, it was probably the youngster who had signed on from Edinburgh Norton a year later that would go on to make his name in claret and amber shine more brightly than most others.
That man was the aforementioned Willie Hunter.
Within months it had became clear that the manager had snapped up a dazzling footballer who was both a brilliant ball player and a determined performer. Willie began his Motherwell career playing, and starring, for the Fir Park reserves alongside fellow teenager Ian St. John.
He was brought into the first team at Dens Park in mid-October 1957. Although the result didn’t go to the liking of the travelling ‘Well fans, they had taken some solace from the performance of the young Edinburgh lad who had made the jump from amateur football to top division action within a couple of months with ease.
His first appearance on Fir Park came a fortnight later when Falkirk visited and left with the points following a 5-2 defeat of the hosts. Despite the loss, the name of Willie Hunter was on the lips of every Motherwell fan as they made their way home the wet Saturday evening.
His first goal came at Parkhead in April when netted the opener in a thrilling 2-2 draw between the teams. Eleven appearances for Motherwell was a good debut season for Hunter, as he tried to earn a berth in a terrific developing Fir Park squad under the guidance of Ancell.
When the team was announced for the opening day of the new season at home to Partick Thistle, Hunter’s name was included. Although it was goals from Ian St. John, twice, and Jim Forrest which won the game, it was Hunter who was man of the match having produced a sublime display.
The start of the season had been promising, with only one defeat in the first six fixtures before Third Lanark arrived in North Lanarkshire. The team that day would always be remembered as a typical Ancell Babes XI: Hastie Weir, McSeveney, Holton, Aitken, Martis, McCann, Hunter, Sammy Reid, St. John, Quinn and Andy Weir.
The Babes were on fire that afternoon, winning 8-1 as the Fir Park crowd began to realise their favourites were developing into something very special indeed.
The young inside forward Hunter only missed four games in that season, scoring 13 goals, which saw Motherwell narrowly miss out on the league title.
International honours were also on their way, with eight players being recognised in various squads, including Hunter who was capped for the Scottish league.
Willie had become a forward of uncommon grace, which had won over the Motherwell fans with performances that could not be measured merely in goals and assists, but that glistened with the flair of an artist who could deceive defenders with a subtle touch or shimmy.
Whilst these seasons were extremely entertaining for the Fir Park faithful, it was arguably two glamour friendlies that summed up that Ancell side.
18,000 punters clicked through the Fir Park turnstiles to see Athletic Bilbao despite torrential rain hammering down throughout the 90 minutes. A delightful Willie Hunter goal put Motherwell two goals up after just 25 minutes, before the visitors stunned the large crowd by levelling before the interval.
However, an Ian St. John shot two minutes into the second period was enough to give the home side a deserved win.
A couple of weeks later, it was Brazilian giants Flamengo who turned up at Fir Park on the back of an impressive 5-0 win over Manchester United. After the visitors opened the scoring six minutes in, the 25,000 crowd were saluting a wonderful goal by Hunter which seemed to inspire the Steelmen.
A St. John hat trick and a Pat Quinn penalty were soon forgotten when Hunter produced a sublime finish to leave the Fir Parkers 6-1 up, and thoroughly entertaining a by now ecstatic home support.
Another hat trick by St. John left the Brazilians shell-shocked as Motherwell trooped of the pitch having trounced the tourists 9-2. At the end of that season there was a definite air of disappointment that such a talented outfit could only finish fifth despite many memorable displays throughout the campaign.
Always amongst the goals for Motherwell, Hunter had in fact laid on far more than he had scored, which was a proud claim since he bagged more than 50 competitive goals for the Steelmen.
Whilst at Fir Park he won three full Scotland caps, four Under 23 caps and four appearances for the Scottish League. He managed 301 appearances for our club all in, scoring 61 goals.
He finally left North Lanarkshire in 1967, when Detroit Cougars paid £14,000 for his signature as the inaugural North American Soccer League was about to kick off. He went on to feature for his boyhood club Hibs before two more spells overseas at Hellenic and Cape Town City.
Following a coaching stint as Ian St John’s assistant at Portsmouth, he then had two brief spells as manager, firstly at Queen of the South then Inverness Caledonian in the Highland League.
Willie was a inside forward who played on the left hand side, with the experience and knowledge of playing as a winger; a real craftsman, skilled in ball control and distribution.
He had a brilliant football career in what was undoubtedly a tough school. His generous gifts to the game gave him little financial rewards, yet he continued to give to the game and his colleagues afterwards He was a man of substance and opinions, who was the subject of much praise from those who played with, against, or indeed, watched him.
This magical footballer was one of the most complete ever to pull our famous colours over his head, and is someone this club is proud to have played a large part in his life.
Willie Hunter is the twentieth entrant to the Motherwell FC Hall of Fame.
Our highly-anticipated Hall of Fame dinner will welcome its fourth batch of inductees later this Friday.
The event, launched in 2019, has already paid special tribute to the legendary names of the club’s long and distinguished history.
For the first time, the dinner will take place at Dalziel Park Hotel this Friday, 18 November, with host Tam Cowan inducted five new names, with Willie joining the already-announced Keith Lasley, Willie MacFadyen, Tommy Coyne and Bobby Graham.
There are only a handful of tickets left priced at £64 for adults and £30 for children aged under 12.
You can buy tickets for the dinner online here now or contact the commercial department on 01698 338 011.
The five legends inducted this year will join:
| 2019 intake | 2020 intake | 2021 intake |
| George Stevenson | John ‘Sailor’ Hunter | Bobby Ferrier |
| Willie Pettigrew | Andy Paton | John Martis |
| Ally Maxwell | Joe Wark | Tommy McLean |
| Phil O’Donnell | Davie Cooper | Stevie Kirk |
| James McFadden | Steven Hammell | Stephen Craigan |
* Please note that some of the colourful language on the night may not be appropriate for young children or those easily offended.
