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It’s December and the countdown to Christmas has already begun. If you’re struggling to think what to get for the Motherwell fan in your life, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Gift membership of the Well Society is back!

Adult membership is available at the discounted price of £50, whilst Junior Steel membership is £25.

Junior Steel membership (0-15 years old)

Sign up your wee one and they’ll receive:

• A Welcome Pack including Junior Steel certificate and keyring
• An ‘I Own MFC’ scarf exclusive to Junior Steel members
• A personalised birthday card
• A personalised Christmas card

All this plus a chance to be a mascot on matchday!

You can purchase a Junior Steel membership online.

Adult membership

Adult members also receive goodies, as well as the knowledge that they’re helping represent the interests of the community in the running of the club. Members are entitled to:

• A Welcome Pack including Certificate of Ownership, keyring and pin badge
• One share in the Well Society, giving you a vote on Well Society issues and a say on some club matters
• An opportunity to shape the strategic direction of the Well Society and the club
• Be added to the weekly newsletter list

Adult membership is available to purchase online.

If you have any queries drop us a line, give us a call on 01698 338009 or contact the Well Society using our contact form.

Gift membership entitles the recipient to one year’s membership of the Well Society, after which they will be invited to renew.

Motherwell Women duo Paul Brownlie and Leanne Crichton have made one of their most important signings – by joining the Well Society, and taking membership past the 3700-mark.

They join thousands of others contributing to keep Motherwell FC in fans’ hands.

Head of Women and Girls at Motherwell FC, Paul said: “The Well Society have been supportive of the journey the women’s set up has been on, with recent funding of £10,000. So we’re delighted to give back a little in return.”

Douglas Dickie, co-chair of the Well Society, said: “Earlier in the year we set a target to get to 3700 members by Hogmanay, so we’ve hit that early. Now we’ll look to get to 4000 people actively supporting the club. Thank you to Paul, Leanne and everyone else who has signed up so far. Your contributions mean we can do so much more, as a fan-owned club, to ensure Motherwell FC thrives.”

Some of that work has been around ensuring football is a sport for everyone. Alongside the Motherwell FC Community Trust, the Society has organised events and opportunities for those interested in girls and women’s football.

The Society are continuing to work with Paul and Leanne to raise the profile of the women’s game. They are looking for events and marketing volunteers to help enhance matchdays and promote bigger crowds. Anyone interested should get in touch or call 01698 338009.

As well as receiving a welcome pack and other benefits, Society members have the opportunity to help shape the future of the club and get involved. Why not join today?

The first of our Junior Steel matches is almost upon us.

With more fun and excitement planned around the Ross County fixture we wanted to introduce you to our lucky mascots. Please give them all a big cheer as tomorrow as they undertake their duties.

Remember, the only way to be in with a chance of leading the team out on the hallowed turf of Fir Park is to join the Junior Steel Club. There’s lots of other perks of being a member, including four FREE tickets per season and the chance to be involved in the match build up and half-time fun.

With the Family Fun Day also taking place from 12noon, we hope you’ll come and visit the Well Society stall in front of the Phil O’Donnell Stand for some stickers and other goodies. Look out for Steelman too!

Three Motherwell fans have been appointed as Supporter Liaison Officers (SLOs) at the club, to help enhance the match day experience for all fans.

Russell Hepburn, Kate Kelter and Graham MacNair will share the UEFA-approved role after the Well Society cast the net for volunteers.

As well as providing a point of contact for any issues on match days, the SLOs will encourage the involvement and engagement of supporters and feed their views into the club decision making process.

Ticketing and travel information for away games will be communicated through a new, dedicated X (formerly Twitter) account: @MotherwellFCSLO. Further information is available on the SLO page of the website.

Tom Feely, co-chair of the Well Society, said: “As a fan-owned club, the SLO role is something we have wanted to develop. We’re looking forward to working alongside Russell, Kate and Graham to ensure better two-way communication, and a good experience – home and away – for all fans.”

Kate’s background in nursing gives her a level-headed, practical approach. She said: “I’m a life-long fan of Motherwell, through thick and thin. I want the very best for fans and club alike. I have years of experience both personally and professionally, and am looking forward to the opportunity to put these skills into practice for the benefit of the club I love.”

Russell is the youngest of the three, but has already notched up experience in the communication sector, acting as a social video journalist and editor.

He said: “I’m confident that my experience, and the fact that I am a normal fan, will ensure I’m approachable for fans to come to with any issues. I’m passionate about getting to know more of our fan-base and to help ensure communication is a two-way process.”

A former senior manager in Financial Services IT for more than 30 years, Edinburgh-based Graham can’t wait to get involved.

He said: “I was born a stone’s throw from Fir Park. I am a life-long supporter and have seen the ‘good, the bad and the ugly’ through the years.

“I try to get to as many away matches as I can, and was one of the founding members of the East of Scotland MFC Supporters Club, and continue to play an active role in the branch three decades on.

“I am well versed in the kinds of issues that fans face when they live far from Fir Park, or when they travel to games, and I look forward to the start of a new initiative to improve communications between fans and the football club.”

The trio will share match day duties across the season, with Kate Kelter on duty at McDiarmid Park in Perth this Saturday as we get back to SPFL league action against St Johnstone.

Three new faces will be on the Well Society Board, alongside three re-elected members, following the Society’s bid to strengthen its board.

New members Sean Baillie, Amber Johnstone and Philip Speedie were elected to the board, with Douglas Dickie, Maureen Downie and Jay Henderson returned. They will join sitting members Tom Feely, Markus Schieren and Derek Watson to make up a board of nine elected members.

Amber Johnstone works in human resources and anticipates helping the Society progress its business aims. She said: “I am excited and grateful to have been selected to serve as a board member and look forward to the opportunity to work closely with the other members to continually improve our wee club.”

Project manager Philip Speedie has been involved with the club for the past 10 years as matchday host. He said: “I am delighted to have been elected to the board of the Well Society. It is particularly exciting to have the opportunity to work alongside board members and the wider membership to drive forward fan ownership of our club. Thank you to all those who lent me their vote; I will do all I can to repay your support.”

Sean Baillie is a regional organiser at GMB Scotland, responsible for growing and supporting over 6000 members employed by Glasgow City Council. He said: “Thank you to everyone who voted. I am looking forward to being able to play a larger part in the next phase of fan ownership. By continuing to improve our structures off the park, we are building on the foundations for success on it.”

Following the election, Society co-chair Tom Feely said: “Part of our role is to encourage and promote the principle of supporter representation on the board. The process attracted a number of strong candidates for the elected spots, which was a great position to be in. There were a number of high-quality individuals in the running and we want to thank them all for putting themselves forward.

“Thanks to everyone who voted. One area where we can perhaps improve is on encouraging a greater turnout, and we will look at what can be learned from this election for the future.

“We will welcome our new colleagues at the next board meeting on Monday 23^rd October, where there will be plenty on the agenda for everyone to get their teeth into.”

Doug Inglis, one of the longest-serving members on the board, will step down. Douglas Dickie said: “Doug has been a source of encouragement, positivity and drive on the board. His contribution to the Society and to the club as a whole is much appreciated and we wish him all the best.”

The new trio will join Douglas, Maureen and Jay, all returned to the board.

Douglas has been on the Well Society board since 2015, currently acting as co-chair, and vice chair of the club board. Jay, a policy and public affairs officer for the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, has served on the board for the past six years alongside Maureen, whose background is in account management and training.

The Well Society Board is now up to full strength in terms of elected members, with nine in post to help shape the future direction of the Society.

The next Well Society Board meeting is Monday 23^rd October.

Motherwell Women will receive a significant financial contribution following a £10,000 funding increase from the Well Society.

The club maintain aspirations of establishing Motherwell Women as a competitive outfit in the top-half of the SWPL, and that prospect was strengthened this week, as the side will receive a cash injection that will provide access to elite coaching and support staff for players from academy level through to the first-team.

“The journey we are on here at Motherwell is all about creating a pathway for young players and creating as professional an environment as we can,” Head of Women and Girls Football, Paul Brownlie, said.

“This funding will ensure players can maintain access to high level coaching, quality facilities and support staff – such as sports scientists – who can help our teams maximise their performance.

“On behalf of the players and the staff, we’d like to say thank you to members of the Well Society for this funding, and for their encouragement and support for our women and girls throughout the season.”

Motherwell Women currently sit eighth in the top-flight of Scottish women’s football with ambitions of progressing into regular top-six finishes. Paul and assistant coach Leanne Crichton, who are both undertaking their UEFA Pro Licence – the highest UEFA coaching certificate available – together strive for continuous improvement both on and off the pitch.

Motherwell FC Girls’ Academy has maintained an Elite Level status within the Scottish FA’s National Academy Programme, which governs the development of the game for those aged between 14-18. National Academy Programme status considers performance in areas such as coaching qualifications, sports science and medical setups, as well as domestic and international appearances for home-grown players. Maintaining this quality approach is vital to the club.

“Paul and his team are driving the women’s game forward,” Tom Feely, co-chair of the Well Society, explained.

“The Society believes that football is a sport for everyone, and when one part of the club flourishes, it impacts the whole club.

“They’ve built a terrific pathway and are striving to make the women’s team as competitive as they can be. We wanted to help by providing funding, but also practical support, to enhance match day experiences and promote the women’s game.”

The first-team squad will return home to K-Park this weekend, with Dundee United the visitors on Sunday 15th October. Kick off is 4pm.

“We’d love to see as many fans at that game as possible, to drive the team on in what is an important league encounter for us,” Paul added.

As well as featuring the women’s team on Junior Steel materials, and promoting games and initiatives, the Society is also seeking to recruit event and marketing volunteers to assist on match days. If you’d be interested in this role, please get in touch.

The Well Society this week invited its members to play their part in shaping the direction of the organisation, as it seeks to strengthen its Board.

As the majority shareholder of Motherwell FC, the Society has provision for nine elected members and three co-opted members. With three members currently in post and four members up for re-election or election, they’re hoping to attract a number of strong candidates for the elected spots.

A spokesperson for the Society said: “Our Rules of Association state that part of our role is to encourage and promote the principle of supporter representation on the board. This is an opportunity for all adult members to take an active role in the Society, either by putting themselves forward to serve on the Well Society Board, or casting their vote when the time comes.

“We have recently looked at what our priorities should be, considering what skills and perspectives are currently missing around the table, and placing a particular focus on the need to increase diversity of representation on the Board. We would therefore particularly encourage nominations from women, young people, disabled people and people from ethnic minority backgrounds.”

Paid up members of the Society aged 18 or over, are eligible to put themselves forward. For more information, or to note interest in serving on the board, please email: well.society@motherwellfc.co.uk by noon on Monday 18 September.

GOT A QUESTION?

For more information, or to discuss the role informally, please get in touch with us this week by email or by calling 01698 338009.

FURTHER INFORMATION

You can download the Well Society’s Rules of Association or check out the current Society Board set up.

Your opinion matters – join our focus group.

Well Society members often ask if they can have input into kit designs. Now they can!

Shirts are one of the elements of football you can touch. Just seeing that claret band, or petrol blue can stimulate your brain and trigger memories. The design and style of the shirt is important – from the colour scheme, the placement of logos and sponsorships, to the overall aesthetic appeal of the shirt. This is no different at Motherwell, and who better to influence our future uniform than the Fir Park Faithful?

Interested?

In order to fully represent the views of our club’s diverse fan base, and to stimulate engagement with the club, The Well Society will oversee a consultation with members regarding their thoughts, ideas and opinions on what makes the perfect Motherwell kit. The feedback will be collated, and any prevalent themes, ideas or opinions will be passed to the designers at Macron to influence our Home and Away kits for the 2024/25 season. Whilst we’re at it, why not send us your thoughts on a third kit?

The Well Society will be holding two focus groups at Fir Park on Wednesday 6 September​ from 6pm-7pm and from 7.15pm-8.15pm.

If you would like to apply to be on the focus group panel, please send an email to well.society@motherwellfc.co.uk with your full contact details and your preferred time slot by 5pm on Thursday 31 August. Please note this event is open to adult members of the Society only, and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

For those unable to attend in person, you can download Macron’s kit design app – My Macron Kit – to build your dream kit.

Junior Steel Members can also let their imagination run wild by sending us drawings of what they would like to see their heroes in. Email finished drawings to us or hand in their design to the Society at the Chapman Building.

Your design can be anything you like. However, please bear in mind the constraints the kit supplier may have in creating the kit, therefore anything too detailed or unrealistic may not be put forward for selection. Save and share your designs with us by emailing them to: well.society@motherwellfc.co.uk

Whilst this input will be considered, it is not in the form of a competition, and not binding in terms of the final design.

We look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Want to join the Well Society? Sign up here.

Motherwell FC interim CEO Derek Weir will be the speaker at August’s Business Breakfast.

Tickets for the event, which takes place on Wednesday 16th August, are now on sale.

As well as being a Motherwell fan and former Vice Chairman of the football club, Derek has held leadership positions with some of the UK’s best-known banking institutions (Barclays Bank, the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Cooperative Bank) and has a keen interest in urban regeneration. He has chaired a number of private companies and personally invested in seven start-ups. He has a wealth of business experience to share.

Derek will also give attendees a “behind the scenes” look at the challenges and joys of being in the hot-seat at Fir Park.

Doug Inglis of the Well Society said: “The Business Breakfast offers the opportunity for people to get together over a coffee and take away some knowledge or top tips to put into practice in their own line of work. We’re looking forward to learning from Derek’s rich business experience, and to seeing friends old and new on the 16^th August.”

Join us from 8.30am. Tickets are £10, are available on the website (please remember to sign in to your account if you have one).

Alternatively, please contact Sally Hall on 01698 338009 or email sally.hall@motherwellfc.co.uk to secure your place.

Membership of the Well Society has now passed the 3600-mark, with newcomers signing up from afar afield as Nashville, Tennessee.

American radio host Chris Chilvers has been watching the Well and couldn’t wait to become part of the club’s story. He said: “I’ve been taking in the games via the Paramount Streaming services that made the games available over the pond. I just fell in love with Motherwell.”

Chris is one of 20 members living in the US. He’s looking forward to receiving his welcome pack and hanging his Well Society certificate up in the radio booth. He’ll help get the message across the airwaves to his listeners too, boosting the overseas contingent of members.

Sisters Anna and Thea were our newest Junior Steel members to join up. They love MFC, enjoy the games and want a shot at being match day mascots, a chance all Junior Steel members have through our regular draw.

As well as receiving a welcome pack and other benefits, Society members have the opportunity to help shape the club and get involved.

Tom Feely, co-chair of the Society, said: “I’m delighted to reach this number, now we set the next target of another 100 members by the end of the year. Collectively we can do so much more. Thank you to everyone who continues to contribute and welcome to all the new members on board.”

Find out more about membership by contacting the Well Society.

Join here.

More information of Junior Steel membership is here.