Latest News

Motherwell FC is delighted to confirm the permanent signing of former Sunderland and Nottingham Forest defender Louis Laing.

The 22-year old former England Youth International started his career at Sunderland and made his Premiership debut for the Black Cats against Wolves back in May 2011.

He also spent a brief loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers before signing for the then Stuart Pearce led Forest last summer.

He was farmed out to near neighbours Notts County in September before opting to join on at Fir Park during the January Transfer Window.

He impressed as the games went on, building up a solid partnership with Stephen McManus. He scored his first senior goal, a bullet header against Inverness CT at Fir Park, and his assured performances alongside McManus were a feature of the Play-off victory over Rangers.

[pullquote]I’m delighted and after such an enjoyable last six months of last season, I couldn’t be happier.[/pullquote]

The 6ft 2 in centre back has signed a two-year deal and has joined the club for pre-season training today. He has been given the number five shirt for the new campaign.

And speaking to motherwellfc.co.uk, he said: “I’m delighted and after such an enjoyable last six months of last season, I couldn’t be happier.

“I’ve got a bit of security for the next two years at a fantastic club with fantastic fans and a fantastic manager.

“I didn’t have a great start last season, getting sent off in the first game, but after that I hit the ground running and it was a really enjoyable experience. I’m delighted to be back.”

Motherwell will face their Claret and Amber cousins from across the Border, Bradford City, this pre-season.

‘Well will take on Phil Parkinson’s side on Tuesday 14th July (2pm KO) at the Grangemouth Stadium, with the Fir Park pitch still taking shape after summer remedial work.

Although the club would have preferred an evening kick-off, the availability of suitable grass facilities meant 2pm was the only kick-off time possible for that particular day.

The match is the fifth confirmed so far this pre-season, with the schedule currently looking like:

Tuesday 7th July 2015
Borussia Monchengladbach U23 –v- Motherwell
VV Rheden, Ijsselsingel 91, 6991 ZR Rheden
Kick-off: 1900 (local time)

Thursday 9th July 2015
SC Heerenveen –v- Motherwell
Sportvereniging Langezwaag,
Paradys 8, 8404 BV Langezwaag
Kick-off: 1900 (local time)

Tuesday 14th July 2015
Motherwell –v- Bradford City
The Grangemouth Stadium
Kersiebank Avenue, FK3 0EE
Kick-off: 1400

Saturday 18th July 2015
Livingston –v- Motherwell
Energy Assets Arena, Livingston
Kick-off: 1500

Tuesday 21st July 2015
TBC

Friday 24th July 2015
Motherwell –v- Preston North End
Energy Assets Arena, Livingston
Kick-off: 1900

It’s likely the final pre-season friendly to be confirmed, on Tuesday 21st July, will also take place at the Grangemouth Stadium with kick-off again during the day. The opponents will be announced as soon as the agreements are finalised.

Motherwell FC is today delighted to confirm Marvin Johnson has signed an extended contract with the club.

Johnson was a January recruit when ‘Well played an undisclosed fee to take him from English Conference side Kidderminster Harriers.

And the flying winger won many admirers with his direct style of play and his tantalizing cross balls, many of which led to either chances or goals in the closing months of the seaosn.

Indeed, Johnson played a pivotal role in Motherwell retaining their top-flight status, and even scored his first goal in Claret and Amber against Rangers at Fir Park in the Play-off Final.

The 24-year old has loved life at Fir Park and has signed a new agreement until the summer of 2018.

[pullquote]I have thoroughly enjoyed my first six months at the club and when I was asked to extend it further, I had no hesitations.[/pullquote]

Speaking to motherwellfc.co.uk, Johnson said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my first six months at the club and when I was asked to extend it further, I had no hesitations.

“I really believe in the manager and what he wants the team to do, and if we can kick off the new campaign the way we finished the last, I am hopeful we can enjoy a good season.

“From my own personal point of view, I will keep working hard for the team and will try and create and score as many as possible whilst a Motherwell player.

“The fans have also been brilliant in my time so far, and if I can make them happy by continuing to give my best, that’s exactly what i will do.”

Motherwell Ladies forward Pamela Liddell has won the SWFL Divisional Player of the Month award.

The ladies have made an outstanding start to 2015, winning every match in the SWFL Division 2 so far, winning the 2nd Division League Cup after beating Rangers 2-6 in the Final and are in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup, having dispatched SWPL side Hutchison Vale 0-4 along the way.

Liddell, who has netted an astonishing 71 goals in seventeen matches, grabbing at least one in every game she has played, said: “I am delighted to have been voted Player of the Month. It means a lot to know that people have voted for me and I am truly appreciative for that.

“We have had a good start to the season and we are hopeful that it will continue after the summer break where our focus is on becoming league champions within our division.

[pullquote]We have had a good start to the season and we are hopeful that it will continue after the summer break where our focus is on becoming league champions within our division.[/pullquote]

“Thanks must also go to my teammates who have contributed towards this award and as a squad we will now look to kick on again.”

Motherwell Ladies Manager Graeme McArthur; “It is great to see Pamela being given the recognition as player of the month within the division due to the form that she has shown this season as well as her overall contribution within the squad.

“Her goal scoring ability is second to none as has been shown by the volume of goals that she has scored this season which is incredible for any striker and she has scored some fantastic goals thus far.”

Motherwell FC can today confirm the signing of 24-year old striker Wes Fletcher.

Wes, who came through the youth ranks at both Manchester United and Liverpool, signed his first professional contract at Burnley.

He played a couple of games for the Turf Moore club, but enjoyed short-term loans at Grimbsy, Crewe, Yeovil amongst others as he learned his trade.

In the summer of 2013, Wes signed for York City and in his first-season, finished the club’s top goalscorer, netting 13 goals in 36 starts for the Minstermen.

Last season was somewhat curtailed by injury, with Fletcher scoring seven for a total of 20 in the two-year period.

However, after a medical yesterday, the Scouser signed his one-year contract, with an option for a second year, and will officially register for the club on 1st July 2015.

[pullquote]I’ve asked for the number nine jersey as I like the pressure of expectations. I know the previous player wearing that number scored a lot, so my target is to not only match that, but get more.[/pullquote]

Speaking to MFC TV, he said: “I am delighted to be here and play in this great league.

“I’ve already met the players and I am just looking forward to getting started.

“I’m a player who will work hard and I know where the goal is and if I get the service, I hope to score as many as I can.

“I’ve asked for the number nine jersey as I like the pressure of expectations. I know the previous player wearing that number scored a lot, so my target is to not only match that, but get more.”

‘Well boss Iain Baraclough added: “I’ve seen a fair bit of Wes and know exactly what he is capable of.

“The Club has also had him watched on several occasions and feel he is ready to add something different to our squad. His game will suit the way we want to play and along with David Clarkson, will add more competition.

“This is just the beginning of the recruitment process though. We’ve still got several more faces to come all across the park and we’ll continue to work hard to do that as quickly as possible.”

Motherwell will take on English Championship side Preston North End in the final game before the new 2015/16 season kick off.

Preston, who have former ‘Well hero Chris Humphrey in their squad, will take on Ian Baraclough’s men on Friday 24th July (7pm KO) at Livingston’s Energy Assets Arena (with Fir Park still not ready to host a match due to the play-off delayed summer renovation works).

The match is the fourth for the July schedule, with the remaining two likely to be confirmed and announced early next week.

Ticket information for all matches will be released in due course.

First-team pre-season schedule:

Tuesday 7th July 2015
Borussia Monchengladbach U23 –v- Motherwell
VV Rheden, Ijsselsingel 91, 6991 ZR Rheden
Kick-off: 1900 (local time)

Thursday 9th July 2015
SC Heerenveen –v- Motherwell
Sportvereniging Langezwaag,
Paradys 8, 8404 BV Langezwaag
Kick-off: 1900 (local time)

Tuesday 14th July 2015
TBC

Saturday 18th July 2015
Livingston –v- Motherwell
Energy Assets Arena, Livingston
Kick-off: 1500

Tuesday 21st July 2015
TBC

Friday 24th July 2015
Motherwell –v- Preston North End
Energy Assets Arena, Livingston
Kick-off: 1900

An English-based businessman has pledged a major sum of money towards projects at Fir Park after deciding to give something back to his family’s community.

John Walker, who is the founder and chairman of world-renowned consultants ‘Oxford Economics’, has already gifted the club and Motherwell FC Community Trust more than half of the sum to go towards projects that help on and off the park.

Part of the three-year funding will help the Community Trust develop its ‘Learn and Play the Motherwell Way’ project, which aims to encourage children who are disengaged with formal education to improve their literacy, numeracy and IT skills by using Motherwell in particular and football in general as a learning stimulus.

John’s generosity has also helped fund recent improvements in the fitness and conditioning of players by Gordon Crawford, the recently-appointed physical performance and conditioning coach.

As part of his focus on education, John is helping to fund Gordon’s PhD and has sponsored the purchase of equipment to aid his work with the playing squad.

Gordon was brought in to improve the fitness of the players and also to prevent injuries: he will also work with the Community Trust to aid their work in helping the fitness and wellbeing of people in Lanarkshire.

The injury list among players has subsided significantly in recent months and it is hoped that his ongoing work will slash medical bills that saw the club spend £120,000 on operations and related consultations last year.

John was raised in Yorkshire but his father, a keen fan of the steelmen, came from Motherwell and he wanted to put something back into the Lanarkshire community.

He heard about the Well Society’s attempts to safeguard the future of Motherwell FC for the community and got in contact with chairman Brian McCafferty to offer his help. A number of discussions led to the funding offer.

John said: “I was impressed with the community ethos of the club and felt it was the perfect way to give something back to the area where my family came from.”

Motherwell chairman Brian McCafferty added: “We are extremely grateful for John’s hugely generous support for the Lanarkshire community and Motherwell Football Club.”

“The projects he has funded are a great example of how the club can help the community and vice versa.

“We hope other business people will recognise the value of supporting the community ethos of the club.”

“Any contribution to making sure the community remains at the heart of the club is very welcome – people can pledge sums from £10 a month to the Well Society.”

Squad numbers for the forthcoming 2015/16 campaign have now been confirmed.

The list thus far reads:

1.
2.  Craig REID
3.  Stevie HAMMELL
4.
5.  Louis LAING
6.  Stephen McMANUS
7.  Lionel AINSWORTH
8.  Stephen PEARSON
9.  Wes FLETCHER
11.  Marvin JOHNSON
12.  Dan TWARDZIK
13.
14.  Keith LASLEY
15.  Joe CHALMERS
16.
17.
18.  Josh LAW
19.  David CLARKSON
20.  Louis MOULT
21.  Jack LEITCH
22.  Craig MOORE
23.  Dom THOMAS
24.
25.
26.  Chris CADDEN
27.  David FERGUSON
28.  Luke WATT
29.  Dylan MACKIN
30.  Robbie LEITCH
31.  Brett LONG
32.  Ben HALL
33.  Jack McMILLAN
34.  Ross MacLEAN
35.  Allan CAMPBELL
36.  Ryan WATTERS
37.  Jake HASTIE
38.  Adam LIVINGSTONE
39.  Dylan FALCONER
40.  Barry MAGUIRE
41.  PJ MORRISON
42.  Josh MOORE
43.  David TURNBULL

Motherwell FC can today confirm the signing of striker David Clarkson.

The 29-year old former Scotland International, nephew of the late, great Phil O’Donnell, came through the ranks at Fir Park, and went on to score 49 league goals in 165 starts before signing for Bristol Rovers for a significant six-figure fee back in the summer of 2009.

He spent three years at Ashton Gate, before crossing the City to team up with his former ‘Well boss Mark McGhee at rivals Rovers.

He was two-years with the Pirates before returning back north of the border to sign with SPFL Premiership side Dundee.

Clarkson made an explosive start, netting in an incredible eight consecutive matches including a corker at Fir Park against ‘Well, picking up the November Player of the Month along the way.

[pullquote]It’s good to get everything signed up and it’s a place I know and that is close to my heart.[/pullquote]

A brief injury forced him out the team and he found it difficult to regain his place, such was the form of Greg Stewart. He finished the season having netted nine goals in nineteen competitive starts for the Dark Blues.

And ‘Well boss Ian Baraclough took the opportunity to quickly add the forward to his squad on an initial one-year deal with the option for a second.

Speaking on his return home to Fir Park, Clarkson said: “It’s good to get everything signed up and it’s a place I know and that is close to my heart.

“I had a meeting with the gaffer and the staff and they told me their philosophies and the way they want to take the club forward and that is something I want to be part of.

“Pre-season is the start of it all and hopefully I can do well and at the start of the season we will see what happens but first and foremost I want to get my feet in the door, get to know some of the new lads and then hopefully get some time on the pitch.”

Motherwell Ladies picked up their first ever trophy after beating Rangers 2-6 in the Division 2 League Cup Final tonight.

Graeme McArthur’s side have enjoyed an incredible start to the 2015 season, winning 16 consecutive games and scoring an astonishing 166 goals in the process.

However, they faced a tough challenge against a Rangers side who themselves have gone unbeaten so far this campaign.

After an edgy start, it was ‘Well who drew first blood when skipper Stacey Cook managed to clip a lovely little shot over the Rangers keeper Elliott after great work by Pamela Liddell on the flank.

However, Rangers weren’t to be behind for long and they were level shortly after, Claire Mullen’s free kick from the left bouncing through and ending up in the back of the net.

‘Well were back in front again just after the half hour and it was a superb goal – good play down the right created space for Julie Ferguson who squared it inside for Toni Mason. She took a touch before whipping home a lovely finish from outside the box.

Again though, Rangers battled hard and were again level when after robbing the ball in the middle of the park, they broke with pace before Caitlin McLean tucked home at the back post.

It was level at the break and the start of the second period was fairly even before Motherwell added a third on the 67th minute. Liddell flicked on a McMillan pass, allowing Mandy Burns to race clear on goal and she kept her composure slot beyond the goalkeeper, in off the post.

‘Well turned the screw and added a further three in the space of eleven minutes. Pamela Liddell grabbed her seventy-first of the season, picking up a loose ball from a free-kick before spinning and smashing home from eight yards.

Rangers looked demoralised and when Ainsley Douglas and Toni Mason added a fifth and a sixth from corner kicks, the win and trophy, was sealed.

Motherwell: Gibson, Ferguson, MacMillan, Donnelly, Douglas (Smith – 81mins), Cook, Mason, M.Bruns (Goodwin – 85mins), T.Burns (Templeton – 85mins), McBride (Gallacher – 85minx), Liddell (McInally – 80mins)

Subs: Wright, Robertson, Dixon

For all the latest info and live match tweets follow the ladies on twitter @MotherwellLFC