Latest News

Motherwell can confirm the first batch of pre-season fixtures ahead of the 2015/16 season.

The club will travel to the Netherlands on Saturday 4th July for a week’s training in Doorwerth, just outside Arnhern.

Whilst there, the club will take on Borussia Mönchengladbach Under 23s on Tuesday 7th July in Rheden (Kick Off TBC). Two days later, they will face Eredivisie SC Heerenveen in Drachten (7pm KO).

On their return to Scotland, Ian Baraclough’s side will face Scottish Championship side Livingston at the Energy Asset Arena (3pm) on Saturday 18th July.

The club will confirm further fixtures on Scottish soil on Tuesday 14th, Tuesday 21st and Friday 24th July and will announce as soon as possible.

Motherwell can today confirm Lee Erwin has signed for English Championship club Leeds Utd.

Erwin, 21, who has been at the club for almost ten years and is a graduate of the Elite Academy, had been offered several new deals to stay at Fir Park after flourishing under boss Ian Baraclough.

However, despite the clubs’ best efforts to keep the former Scotland Youth International, he has chosen to sign a three-year deal with the Yorkshire side.

Motherwell FC has protected its rights to training compensation for the player and will now pursue that with the Elland Road club at the point of registration.

Commenting, ‘Well boss Ian Baraclough said: “We are obviously disappointed to lose a player like Lee and I told the lad himself I think he would’ve benefited from a further year playing week to week in our first-team.

[pullquote]This is yet another example of Motherwell producing or recruiting a player, developing them and helping them move up the football ladder.[/pullquote]

“However, with that all being said, I understand how football works and Leeds Utd is a great club with a great tradition and it’s a big opportunity for him. We’re very proud of him and what he’s achieved.

“From our point of view, it’s a feather in the cap for our Elite Academy; from Chris McCart, Gordon Young and Scott Leitch as well as the individual coaches and the scouts who worked with Lee from such a young age.

“They are often over-looked, but this is yet another example of Motherwell producing or recruiting a player, developing them and helping them move up the football ladder.

“That’s exactly our strategy for the forthcoming years and the challenge for myself and everyone at the club is to find the next Lee Erwin, and do it all over again.

“I would like to personally thank Lee for all his effort since my arrival at the club. He has been absolutely superb for me both in matches and in training and has earned this move. We wish him all the very best in his career down south.”

Motherwell FC Community Trust will again host their successful Summer Soccer Camp for the seven weeks throughout the school holidays.

The Summer Camp which takes place at Fir Park Stadium runs regardless of our “Summer Weather”, outdoors in the fantastic Astroturf facilities as well as indoors in the Maxim Office Park Stand Gymnasium and is for boys and girls of all abilities aged 5 to 12 years, with the emphasis on positive play and having fun!

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

To celebrate another successful year at Motherwell FC Community Trust we have reduced our prices to only £10 per day 9am to 3pm and £40 for a full week. Half days 9am to 12pm and 12pm to 3pm are also available at only £6 per session.

Week 1: Monday 28th June – Friday 3rd July

Week 2: Monday 6th July – Friday 10th July

Week 3: Monday 13th July – Friday 17th July

Week 4: Monday 20th July – Friday 24th July

Week 5: Monday 27th July – Friday 31st July

Week 6: Monday 3rd August – Friday 7th August

Week 7: Monday 10th August – Friday 14th August

For information and booking, call: 01698 239 926 or visit our booking website at: www.motherwellsoccerschools.com

What We Provide:
Warm ups and reaction games Technique training including passing, dribbling, shooting, turning, attacking and defending
Fun games to practise techniques
Small sided matches
Penalty Competitions
Skills competitions
Expert coaching from our fantastic Motherwell Soccer School Coaches
Supervision for the day including lunch and breaks
Promotion of a healthy lifestyle for young people
Motherwell Football Club promote fair play, respect, discipline, and anti bullying
Players are coached according to their size and ability

What To Bring:
Football kit or tracksuit, or shorts/joggers and t-shirt Football boots or training shoes
Shin pads (which must be worn at all times)
Goalie gloves (if applicable) P
Packed lunch Plenty to drink (not fizzy drinks)
Sun cream *Warm, waterproof clothing in case of inclement weather
Any medication (Please note we are unable to administer medication)

The Well Society has launched a new, simpler and more accessible membership scheme.

Please sign up for as little as £10 a month and get immediate benefits including access to exclusive Q&A sessions with the manager and players, an annual quiz night featuring the playing squad, a vote on Well Society matters, and much more.

By joining, you will

• receive several benefits that will take you closer to the club and players

• avoid the club being sold to outsiders with no connection to Lanarkshire

• protect the club financially and help it develop a strong, sustainable future

• support the Lanarkshire area and people – the MFC Community Trust touches the lives of more than 35,000 people each year

• help Motherwell fans own the club they love

With one click below, and within 60 seconds you can become part of the club and help Motherwell FC towards a financially stable future.

As you probably know, Les Hutchison has provided a major five-year interest free loan to the club. Without this input Motherwell FC could have been sold to a foreign consortium or, worse still, plunged into a deep financial crisis. Instead we are moving towards a sustainable, self-sufficient financial future.

But Les cannot do this alone – he stepped in to protect the club for the benefit of the community and to ensure it can be in the hands of supporters for generations to come. We, the supporters, now need to step up and the Well Society is asking all of you to pay what you can to continue to be part of something special.

Fans who cannot commit to monthly payments can also pay a one-off sum – every contribution will be recorded and can lead to further benefits in the future.

Please note that the direct debit system does not work for overseas bank accounts. We are trying to install a Paypal option and we hope to do that soon.

Very many thanks for your support.

Brian McCafferty

Chairman

Motherwell Football Club

Being a Season Ticket holder at Fir Park is more than just a right to view games. It is a true and genuine commitment to the Motherwell Football Club family.

Whilst there can be no doubt the club launched Season Tickets against the backdrop of a difficult season overall and the uncertainty around the Play-offs, there is a firm belief that being a Season Ticket holder represents your bond to the institution that is Motherwell Football Club.

And now the Play-off Final ended in a superb 6-1 win over Rangers, all thoughts are now focused on the upcoming campaign and a summer rebuild.

Our majority shareholder, Mr Les Hutchison, has spoken in detail about that link in his address to Season Ticket holders – click here A message from Les.

And although this season has been tough, the club is asking you to stick by us, through thick and thin, whilst we rebuild. We still believe whether bought individually or as part of a family package, the season ticket represents tremendous value.

We have also continued our ‘WELLevate’ scheme which allows any adult or senior citizen buying a season ticket at Fir Park to claim a juvenile ticket absolutely free of charge or TWO Under 16s tickets if you sit in the Cooper Stand…

[pullquote]That’s just over a £5 each per league game for an ‘Adult’ WELLevate ticket or, incredibly, just £3.25 each per match for a ‘Senior Citizen’ WELLevate ticket.[/pullquote]

Season Ticket uptake has grow over 34% over the last five years because of this brilliant initiative – perhaps the single most effective way of recruiting new, younger fans over the last 100 years

The excellent Season Ticket offers which can be used to earn a host of discounts in a number of well-known businesses is back and bigger than ever.

The likes of Barrett and David Wilson Homes, Motorpoint, First Bus, Subway and Peter Vardy have been added to a 37 strong list which already contained the likes of McDonalds, KFC, Pizzahut, LivingWell Health Club, Evans Halshaw, M&D’s and many, many more.

We’ve enjoyed a fantastic run in the last six or seven years. Together, the club and our loyal fans can continue to grow Scotland’s best community and family club.

From more information and prices, click below:

New recruit Joe Chalmers says he’s motivated to prove he’s good enough to play at SPFL Premiership level.

The Under 21 International watched on as the Steelmen secured their spot in the Scottish top flight last weekend, knowing a deal was likely the following week.

Now the former Celtic player, who played three games for the Hoops and eleven whilst on loan at Falkirk during the 2013/14 campaign, wants to show the qualities that allowed him to progress through the Academy at Lennoxtown.

Chalmers said: “I knew Celtic were going to release me and I spoke to a few clubs.

“Motherwell showed interest and with them being in the play-off, I got the chance to come in to train for a couple of days and the manager was happy with what I did.

[pullquote]But I am 21 now and I just felt it was the right time for me to move on. I just want to play first-team football so I can’t wait to get started.[/pullquote]

“They were waiting to see where they were going to be and luckily they came through the play-off and everything worked out so I was delighted.

“It wasn’t a big issue (Premiership status). I just want to play games.”

Chalmers “loved every minute” of his time at Celtic where he came through the youth academy but knew that for the sake of his career it was time to move on.

“I wouldn’t change my time at Celtic for anything,” said the defender, who had a loan spell at Falkirk in 2014.

“It was tough to leave Celtic. From the football side it wasn’t as hard as I felt it was the right time to move on.

“But with the amount of good people and the amount of friends I made it was hard.

“But I am 21 now and I just felt it was the right time for me to move on. I just want to play first-team football so I can’t wait to get started.

“In the last two seasons I have only played a couple of months’ football.”

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR FANS

No doubt like most of you, I felt the last few months have been a bit tense waiting to find out our final fate – will we stay up, or will we go down?

Thankfully, the players pulled off a stunning display in the two final play-off games to keep us in the Premiership. Phew ……..!!!

As well as all the players in our squad, I would like to thank the manager and his team, and all the staff at the club who have worked so hard and professionally not only towards the business end of the season but throughout.

I would like, in particular, to thank you, the fans, for sticking by the club through thick and thin, providing much appreciated vocal and sundry support – I still can’t get Twist and Shout out of my brain!

You have been fantastic all season and especially towards the end shown commendable loyalty and support for the team when the players were going through a wee sticky patch.

You have inspired them to provide an even better climax to the season than last season, which was a very hard one to trump.

I look forward to next season with renewed optimism. The players who have been retained will hopefully continue to provide sterling service.

To those players who are moving on I wish them every good luck with their next club or, if returning from loan, to their home teams. Thank you all for making this season one that no Motherwell fan will ever forget.

Brian McCafferty
Chairman

Motherwell FC today completed the signing of Scotland U21 International Joe Chalmers on a two-year contract.

Left back Chalmers, 21, is a product of the Celtic youth academy having come through the ranks under the tutorship of former ‘Well supremo Chris McCart.

He made his first-team debut for the Hoops against Inverness back in August 2012 aged just eighteen, as his side overcame Inverness in the Highlands.

He started for Celtic in the Scottish Cup tie against Arbroath at Celtic Park before turning out again for Neil Lennon’s men when they again won comfortably at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium in February 2013.

The following season, Joe spent time on loan at Falkirk, playing a part in the Bairns reaching the Play-offs, although he was injured for the double-headers against both Queen of the South and Hamilton.

During his development, Joe represented Scotland at every age group from Under 16s to Under 21s either at left full back or left-sided centre back.

[pullquote]I’m delighted to sign for Motherwell and cannot wait to get started.[/pullquote]

Speaking to motherwellfc.co.uk, Joe said: “I’m delighted to sign for Motherwell and cannot wait to get started.

“I’ve been in a few times and trained with the lads and it’s a really good group.

“The manager has also been excellent with me and was a huge reason why I wanted to come and play here.”

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough added: “He’s a young player with fantastic potential who we’ve tracked for some time.

“He’s versatile, mobile with a good range of passing and will add competition in numerous positions in defence.

“He’s got a good pedigree having came through the Academy and played for Celtic’s first team and had significant youth International experience.

“I am really looking forward to working with him over the next few years.”

Motherwell FC can today confirm it has received a notice of complaint from the Scottish FA in relation to Sunday’s Play-off Final against Rangers.

The complaints centre around two players, Lionel Ainsworth and Craig Moore, who have been cited for violent conduct for their part in the confrontation after the full-time whistle.

Both players have been offered, and accepted, a two game ban from the Compliance Officer that will kick in immediately.

Fraser Kerr was sent off for violent conduct by referee after the match and will also serve an immediate two-match suspension.

There has been confusion after the final whistle around the status of Lee Erwin.

Despite reports to the contrary, Lee was not sent off by match official Craig Thomson. In fact, he was given a retrospective caution for adopting an aggressive attitude and will not suffer any suspension.

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough said: “Whilst it is a totally normal reaction to defend a teammate who is the victim of what we all agree was a serious incident, we all recognise that striking out has no place on a football field.

“Both players were keen to protect their teammate, but accept the punishment from the Compliance Officer and are keen to draw a line under the whole affair.”

Following the conclusion to the SPFL season, the club can announce the following squad updates for summer 2015.

The following players have, or will be, offered extended contracts at the club:

• Lionel Ainsworth
• John Sutton
• Lee Erwin

The following players have been allowed to leave the club following the expiry of their contracts:

• Stuart Carswell
• Simon Ramsden
• Paul Lawson
• Iain Vigurs
• Adam Cummins
• Bob McHugh
• Zaine Francis-Angol
• Fraser Kerr
• Ross Stewart

The following short-term arrivals / loans have also left the club:

• George Long
• Mark O’Brien
• Anthony Straker
• Louis Laing
• Nathan Thomas
• Conor Grant
• Scott McDonald

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough said: “I would first and foremost like to take the time to sincerely thank each and every player who is leaving the club for all their hard work and endeavor.

“Guys such as Bob McHugh, Stuart Carswell and Ross Stewart have been Motherwell players for a significant amount of time and deserve particular recognition for their length of service. Simon Ramsden, Fraser Kerr and Zaine Francis-Angol have been at the football club during an almost unprecedented period of success and played their parts, as did Paul Lawson and Iain Vigurs.

“We wish each and every single player leaving the club all the very best with their future careers. However, I feel we need a freshness in the squad and that’s my role over the summer.

“Some of the lads who arrived during January / February certainly impressed and aided in our league survival, and we would be keen to keep them on. However, we still need to have a conversation with either the individuals or their parent clubs to see what is possible.

“We have or will also offer extensions to Lionel Ainsworth, John Sutton and Lee Erwin for next season. That process has begun and we hope they will stay, but face completion for all three. We will offer them the very best we can though and hope they see themselves fitting into the way we want to play in 2015/16 and beyond.”