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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:

1. Via GoCardless
2. Via bank transfer (contact us for details: well.society@motherwellfc.co.uk)
3. By card over the phone. Our number is 01698 338009 during office hours.

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.

Lanarkshire women are being offered free places on a football coaching course – even if they’ve never kicked a ball! 

Motherwell FC Community Trust and the Well Society have teamed up to offer the places in the hope that local women will step forward learn new skills, increase their confidence and make an impact on young lives.

“We’ve seen a huge interest in the women’s game, and the girls development centre at Motherwell FC Community Trust is going from strength to strength,” said Andy Thomson, Football Development Manager at the Trust.

“But we routinely see young girls drop out of teams because of a lack of female role models, and we want to address that. We want to change perceptions that football coaching is for men only.”

“The football will take care of itself,” Andy continued, “What we’re looking for is women who can adapt and grow, and who want to make a difference in their community, as well as their own lives. We want to give them the opportunity to be part of a team and help coach young female players, regardless of their own footballing ability.”

The Well Society have covered the costs of five spaces on the Scottish FA’s Level 1.1 Introduction to coaching course. Along with practical support from the Trust, individuals will learn aspects like being responsible, organised and disciplined – qualities which can prepare them for any area of life.

Douglas Dickie, co-chair of the Society said: “When people in the community take ownership of their future, it can have a profound effect, which goes beyond sport. We would encourage anyone who is thinking about a change, or a challenge, or who needs to take on this type of role for career development to get in touch.”

Women aged 16 or over in the local area who are interested in finding out more should contact Andrew.Thomson@motherwellfc.co.uk

A new community defibrillator has been unveiled at Fir Park Stadium.

The club wanted to install the defibrillator after a near miss a few weeks ago and thanks to the support of the Well Society, it is now a reality.

A local nearby resident ran into medical trouble and although club staff provided support with our own portable defibrillator, it highlighted the requirement to have one available for everyone to use in an emergency at any point of the day or night.

After the Well Society made funds available, the Kieran McDade Foundation, a local charity, assisted the club in purchasing the equipment.

Martin Holmes, one of the founders of the Foundation, joined representatives from Motherwell FC, the Well Society and the Scottish Ambulance Service to see the equipment now ready for public use.

Tom Feely, co-chair of the Well Society, said: “It’s important for the Society to represent the interests of the community in the running of the club. If putting the defibrillator outside the ticket office at Fir Park can save one life, it’s worth it. Anyone can use a defibrillator, and we need to make sure everyone knows it’s there.”

The defibrillator is sited outside Motherwell FC’s ticket office, on the wall of the Chapman Building on Firpark Street.

You recently had the opportunity to share your views on the Well Society. And now we’re ready to report back. The good news is that most of us are on the same page in terms of what we think the Well Society is, what can be improved, and what the benefit of being a member is.

But the Society needs to work on how we can better engage with members – and we need your help to find out how best to do that. Check out the survey where you’ll find:

• executive summary
• an in-depth look at the results
• what we’re doing about the issues raised.

It’s Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week.

What better way to mark it with a more detailed look at the long-term plan for Motherwell Women, and short-term steps they want to take?

Paul Brownlie, our head of girls and women, recently updated the Well Society board on progress.

He gave a great insight into how far the girls’ and women’s game has come in the past year, with the following achieved so far:

• community relationships which help inspire and identify talent
• a girls academy with 80 youngsters training every week
• a set up which provides positive role models for girls and young women
• a system which seeks to embed quality in every aspect
• a first team which is competing well with better resourced clubs
• engagement and growth in the women’s game

“We’d love to see supporters at our new home at K-Park in East Kilbride, backing the team,” Paul Brownlie added.

“Keep an eye on Motherwell FC’s website for game details.”

You can watch Paul Brownlie’s presentation here.

They thought their football glory days were behind them. But this week eight footballers aged between 50 and 70 will step onto the pitch, and represent Motherwell FC in European competition.

The club’s participation in the EFDN Walking Football Tournament, at Leverkusen in Germany, on Thursday 22 September, will see them in the mix with footballing giants such as Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica, Eintracht Frankfurt, Real Betis and FC Schalke.

Other UK clubs participating include Newcastle United, Rangers and Greenock Morton.

And it is a dream come true for Steelmen fans Derek Cunningham and Brian Douglas.

Brian said: “I was 13 and living in Glasgow I got my first full Motherwell kit. Joe Wark’s family lived round the corner and when he visited he’d see me, the only Motherwell kit amongst the others, and he’d make a point of chatting to me. The idea I’ll be running about at my tender age with my name on the back of my shirt. I must admit, I’m well made up. I’m excited.”

Despite surgery on both knees, Derek has been attending the Motherwell FC Community Trust activity for the past five years. He says: “Walking football is like a time machine – for an hour on the park you’re suddenly 16 again and we all behave like it!

“Motherwell is my team and any supporter would be proud to pull on the jersey. We’ll do our best. We hope we get the results to do the club proud.”

Walking football is really for anyone whose age or fitness levels would prevent them from playing normal football. The Community Trust team has taken part in many tournaments and competitions, but never one abroad.

Team coach Chris MacFarlane said: “The whole experience of going out as part of a team that’s going out to play for Motherwell, pull on a Motherwell badge, travel in Motherwell kit…that’s something really special for the guys.

“To be on that list with some of those massive clubs within Europe is really exciting.”

The team – comprising eight players and two coaching staff – have been supported to take part in the tournament by sponsors Blue Triangle.

Iain Macfarlane, CEO of Blue Triangle, said: “We are very proud to have done our small part in making some big dreams come true.

“It was a privilege to meet the team and see them presented with their strips and training kit, including an extra bag to bring the trophy home! It’s fantastic to see The Well still in Europe and I’m sure they’ll do us all proud.”

The Well Society have also contributed. Derek Watson, of the Society, said: “The Community Trust does a fantastic job of bringing people from all backgrounds and abilities together through football.

“We’re delighted to be able to support the team to take this step and promote the club, nationally and internationally. It’s a joy to see the pride these guys have in wearing the shirt and the ambition they have to do well for the club and the community it serves.”

Three young Motherwell fans, who used an old mayonnaise tub to create some matchday noise, have drummed up support from Orange Juice star Edwyn Collins.

Jack McGarry, Lyle Fleming and Fraser Johnstone had been using a variety of items as drums at Fir Park, including the seats and an old drawer.

But Collins and partner Grace Maxwell offered to buy them a brand new drum after seeing clips of the boys on social media. They asked the Well Society to put them in touch with the trio. And then invited them to Collin’s gig and sound check at the Kelvingrove bandstand.

“These lads are unstoppable. They show their support at every home game. I’m a Well Society member and a huge fan of the way Motherwell FC is constituted and run,” The singer, famous for hits such as ‘Rip it up and start again’, said.

“It was the greatest pleasure to meet the boys and hand over the tom tom. May they make a good din and boost the Well to great things!”

“The drum will make a massive difference. I feel like if we create enough atmosphere, it’ll get the team up and get results. It could be a good luck charm.” Jack said.

“It’s a lovely gesture. It’s an example of Motherwell fans coming together. As well as the drum they’ve got a carry bag, with drumsticks and beaters,” Derek Watson, who put the boys in touch with Collins, said.

“The kids were delighted, but I don’t know if the fans sitting round about them are going to be so happy!”

Motherwell’s hot prospects for the future will be able to play it cool, thanks to a donation from the Well Society. 

The players were gifted an ice-machine which will help them treat minor injuries and cool off after training at their Braidhurst High School campus.

“Our ice machine broke quite a while back,” head of youth at Motherwell David Clarkson said.

“We reached out to the Well Society and are delighted that they’ve been able to help.

“It means that any minor knocks can be treated quickly as we will have ice to hand. The machine is in the social area and it gives the lads a focal point, as they fill up their water bottles.”

“It’s our role to support and promote the club. Our members are always keen to look after our next generation of players. This is a small gesture which goes a long way in terms of achieving that aim.” Co-chair of the Well Society Douglas Dickie said.

Our players and football management team have joined the Well Society.

The players, together with the coaching staff, decided to collectively join and contribute monthly to the club’s fan ownership group, highlighting their commitment to the cause and to play their part in the continuing health and growth of Motherwell Football Club.

You can follow in their footsteps and join the Well Society by clicking here.

“It was very important to the whole squad that we demonstrated our effort away from just a Saturday afternoon,” club captain Stephen O’Donnell said.

“This is a special club where the supporters and the local community are at the heart of everything we do and stand for.

“The players buy into that and are proud to represent the club, but we also want to play our part by giving something back.

“We are delighted and honoured to be involved.”

‘Well boss Graham Alexander added: “I have said on many occasions that togetherness can help drive a club forward.

“It’s so important that all aspects of a club, from the boardroom to the dressing room, from the terracing to the pitch, are united and working towards the same goal.

“This group, both players and coaches, not only want to make the fans proud of their team when they are on the pitch but want to make them proud when they’re off it too.

“They do that by working hard to understand the ethos, the principles and the character of the supporters and people in this part of Lanarkshire, and what is expected of us as Motherwell players and coaches, which will hopefully transfer onto the pitch on a matchday and drive good performance.”

The Well Society, the vehicle in which the club operates its current fan ownership model, bought Motherwell FC from Les Hutchison in October 2016.

With over 3,000 active members, almost 1,300 of them contributing each month, the Society has supported the club throughout its ten-year existence, investing over one million pounds in working capital.

“We are thrilled to have the first-team squad and coaching staff as part of the Well Society and it clearly demonstrates the spirit and determination of this group,” the Well Society’s co-chair Douglas Dickie said.

“The more fans who are in a position to join the Society and contribute on a monthly basis will only help the club grow and grow.

“As we approach the fifth anniversary of taking a majority ownership in the club, it would be great if we could use this as a launchpad to attract more people to come on board.”

Following a tremendous response over the last seven days, the Well Society now has over 3,000 members.

Reaching this milestone is an incredible achievement for our support, especially during what is a very uncertain time for everyone.

Since our update last week, the Well Society has been overwhelmed by the amount of new pledges and donations received.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed.

This is a difficult time for all of us and those who contribute to our fan ownership group cannot be thanked enough for their continued support, especially when football may be the furthest thing from minds.

If you haven’t yet done so, here’s how you can support the Well Society and add to the 3,000 who play their part in owning Motherwell Football Club.

New Members

You can pledge by clicking here. Pledges start at just £5 per month.

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 wellsociety@motherwellfc.co.uk and we will cancel your existing pledge for you.

One-off Donations

The Well Society also received over £1,500 in one-off donations over the last week.

If you wish to donate you can send payment through Paypal to wellsociety@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Once again thank you for your incredible support and we look forward to seeing you back at Fir Park soon.