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Motherwell FC is delighted to announce legendary former captain Stephen Craigan has returned to the club as the new Under 20s manager.

Craigan, 38, began his senior career at ‘Well in the mid 1990s before leaving in 2000 for a three-year stint at Partick Thistle.

He returned to Fir Park in 2003 and went on to play a total of 379 times in Claret and Amber before retiring in 2012 after skippering the side to a ‘Best of the Rest’ finish and a place in the UEFA Champions League.

During his playing career, Stephen amassed a hugely impressive 54 Northern Irish caps, 52 of which gained whilst a Motherwell player, a record that is unlikely to ever be surpassed.

After hanging up his boots, he’s involved in both coaching and television work.

He has been working in the Irish FA set-up over the past two years, managing the Under 19s. He is also a familiar face on television and is a pundit on BT Sport’s SPFL coverage, a role he will continue whilst working with the Steelmen’s Under 20s side.

Stephen will work alongside Ian Baraclough, Stephen Robinson and recently appointed goalkeeping coach Jim Hollman in a new-look backroom team at Fir Park.

[pullquote]It’ll be my role to ensure our brightest young players are fully prepared to push their way into the first team picture, bringing themselves to the attention of the management team both with their performances at training and in games.[/pullquote]

Speaking on his return to the club, Crags said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to return to Motherwell for a third time and I am very much looking forward to the challenge of working with the Under 20s side.

“Motherwell, from the outside looking in, seems to be a club very much on the up. The new owner and the new people involved are breathing freshness back into things and there appears to be an excitement about the new season ahead.

“I have very much enjoyed my coaching experiences so far and I am looking forward to the challenge of working with young players on a more regular basis.

“With Motherwell giving me this coaching opportunity whilst supporting my work with BT Sport, the decision to return to Fir Park was an easy one to make.

“Ultimately, the Under 20s is the bridge between the Elite Academy and the first-team.

“It’ll be my role to ensure our brightest young players are fully prepared to push their way into the first team picture, bringing themselves to the attention of the management team both with their performances at training and in games.”

Jonatan Johansson, who has performed the role for the previous three years, has left the club and very much goes with the best wishes for his future career.

He said: “After careful consideration I decided to move on from my post as the Under 20s manager.

“I now look forward to my next challenge and to further my career.

“I would like to thank Motherwell FC for giving me the opportunity to develop and learn from some great coaches for three successful seasons.

“I would like to thank all the wonderful staff at the club for their support and help as well as all the young players that I have worked with; you really have inspired and improved me.”

Extended highlights from Langezwaag in the Netherlands as Motherwell and SC Heerenveen play out a 0-0 draw.

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough praised his side’s resilience after a battling 0-0 draw with Dutch side Heerenveen tonight.

The tourists came under pressure during a relentless first-forty five minutes with goalkeeper Dan Twardzik producing a string of impressive saves.

The second half was far more even, with ‘Well having one or two chances of their own, but the game eventually ended in stalemate.

And the Fir Park gaffer was quick to heap praise on his goalkeeper and defence after picking up the clean sheet.

Speaking to MFC TV, he said:  “In the first half we were starved of the ball and sat off them too much but in the second half we were much better. We got in and around them more and denied them space.

“That was what we were looking to get out of the game as well as our work rate, endeavour and team shape. Not too many teams in Scotland will be like Heerenveen but it is important that we can go into games like that and be solid.

“We picked the two games as we wanted to be tested and we’ve came through them unbeaten and although the results for me don’t matter, the performances do and I’ve been pleased with those.

A first-half master class from Dan Twardzik helped ‘Well to a respectable 0-0 draw against Dutch Eredivisie side Heerenveen tonight.

Former Bayern Munich man Twardzik was in inspired form and made a series of impressive saves during the first-half to keep the Dutch side at bay.

It was a far quieter second half, and ‘Well created a few chances of their own, but it finished in stalemate as the Steelmen brought their short tour of the Netherlands to an end.

Ian Baraclough made six changes to the starting elven that lined up against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Tuesday night with Josh Law, Louis Laing, Jack Leitch, Stephen Pearson, Lionel Ainsworth and Craig Moore all given the nod.

But it was a first forty-five the Fir Parkers had to grind out, with Heerenveen taking charge and creating numerous good chances.

Twardzik made the first of countless saves on the thirteenth minute, denying the 6ft 6-inch front man Henk Veerman with a save low to his right. The same player blazed over before Swede Simon Thern again forced Twardzik into action with a header from a corner.

Chances were coming thick and fast and Younes Namli forced Twardzik into another stop with a strike straight at him. Then former Dutch U21 International Luciano Slagveer also watched on as Twardzik somehow stopped his twenty-yard shot.

As the half hour came and went, Twardzik was again at it, this time saving from left-back Caner Cavlan’s long free-kick before Pele van Anholt saw his deflected effort hooked off the line. Slagveer was also denied again from point blank range as Twardzik was turning in a performance to remember.

‘Well did have the last chance of the first-half but couldn’t get ahead when Craig Moore dragged his low shot just wide of target.

Keith Lasley, Stephen McManus, Luke Watt, Ross MacLean and David Clarkson were all introduced at the interval and it seemed to steady Barclough’s side.

Indeed, with just four minutes in, they almost took the lead when a lovely threaded pass had Clarkson in, but Heerenveen keeper Maarten de Fockert was off his line smartly to make the block.

The ‘home’ side were quickly back on the attack again though and sub Stefano Marzo was denied when, after cutting in from the right, his fierce shot was beaten away by Motherwell’s impressive keeper.

The tourists were coming back into things though and only a nice take from de Fockert denied Clarkson after Law’s cross from the right looked to be perfect for the former Scotland striker.

Seven minutes later it was Law’s turn to have a go himself, but after Lasley had won a dangerous looking free-kick on the edge of the area, Law could only send his effort crashing off the wall.

Both teams rang further changes and there was little in the way of goalmouth action in the closing twenty minutes. Stephen McManus almost grabbed the winner four minutes from time but his header, which hit a deflection on route, was comfortable gathered by de Fockert.

The gamed ended in stalemate, but Baraclough will again be pleased with the workout against a talented side, and in particular, the performance of Dan Twardzik whose first-half heroics kept the score level.

Motherwell: Twardzik (B.Long), Law, Laing, Trialist (McManus), Chalmers (Watt), Leitch (Lasley), Pearson, Ainsworth, Thomas (MacLean), Moore, Moult (Clarkson)

Extended highlights from Rheden as pre-season starts with a 1-1 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach U23s.

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough was pleased with the workout his side got against Borussia Mönchengladbach tonight.

The Fir Parkers were last in competitive action 37 days ago in the pressure cooker double-header against Rangers.

However, it was the slightly less pressurised situation of the quaint Sportpark vv Rheden, in the southern Netherlands, where the Fir Parkers would kick-off the new 2015/16 season.

After a goalless first-half, summer recruit from York Wes Fletcher opened the scoring after latching on to a rebound following a Craig Moore drive.

It stayed 0-1 until the 70th minute, when Borussia levelled through Giuseppe Pisano.

The game eventually ended all squad, with the Fir Park boss pleased with the exercise.

Speaking to MFC TV, he said: “The first game of pre-season is always a precarious one  and you wonder where each player is fitness wise but most of them have had forty-five minutes and we’ve came out with no injuries.

“It was a keenly contested game against a good young side and we had contend with a different kind of playing style.

“It was good to see the new players integrating, fitting into the shape and taking on board all the things we’ve been working on in training. That was a pleasing aspect, not only from the new players, but from the younger ones as well.

‘It was pleasing to see Wes score in his first game and I’m sure that will give him a boost but all the new lads did well.

Motherwell’s first action of the new 2015/16 campaign came in the shape of a very useful 1-1 draw with Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Under 23s.

After a goalless first half, summer signing Wes Fletcher opened the scoring for Ian Baraclough’s side just four minutes into the second forty-five.

It stayed that way until he 70th minute, when Giuseppe Pisano leveled after an impressive solo run.

Both teams had chances to win it, but it ended all squad in Rheden.

It was the Germans who made the stronger start to the game, with Twardzik twice having to look smart to deny Kevin Holzweiler. The first from a free kick, the second from point blank range, albeit the assistant had his flag up for the latter.

However, the Czech stopper was helpless moments later though as Borussia came within an inch of taking the lead. Gino van den Berg unleashed a stinging, dipping effort that crashed off the bar before ‘Well hooked clear.

After their early struggles, the Steelmen settled into the match. Summer recruit from Wrexham Louis Moult was almost presented with a gift from keeper Martin Kompalla, but the stopper was up quickly to mop up his spill from Dom Thomas’ cross.

Most of the play was now heading towards the German goal and Thomas went close direct from a corner, his near post cross hitting Nils Rütten, deflecting off the woodwork before being hooked away to safety.

Lasley for ‘Well and Holzweiler for Borussia both watched efforts fly over before the Germans again went close seconds before the break, but thankfully flashed a shot wide of target after patient build-up on the edge of the box.

There was seven changes to the start of the second half, with Josh Law, Louis Laing, Lionel Ainsworth, Jack Leitch, Stephen Pearson, Craig Moore and Wes Fletcher all lining up for kick-off.

And it was two of those, Moore and Fletcher, who combined to get the Steelmen in front.

Moore was the provider, his low shot from the edge of the box forced keeper Kompalla to again spill, and former York man Fletcher was on to it like a flash, tucking home from close range.

Motherwell’s tails were up and they enjoyed their best spell of the match. Indeed, only a fine Kompalla save denied Thomas from adding a second after the winger had let fly from 20 yards out.

Baraclough’s men continued to pile on the pressure, again looking dangerous breaking at pace on the counter and on more than one occasion, almost found themselves in via Ainsworth on the flank.

Then, out of virtually nothing, Borussia drew level. Sub Giuseppe Pisano collected the ball from deep and after skipping past several challenges, coolly slotted a low shot past young keeper Brett Long to equalize.

Although the Fir Parkers had a half chance to level almost immediately through Ainsworth, it was the Germans who looked the most likely. Indeed, it took an excellent acrobatic save from Long to deny Rütten making it 2-1.

However, with eight minutes left, ‘Well should have been back ahead.

Again it was another decisive counter, Law and Ainsworth combining across the pitch, before young Ross MacLean found himself in acres of space in the box. With the goal at his mercy, he curled his right-footed shot inches wide of the far post.

Borussia had one or two little sniffs in and around the Motherwell goal, but it ended all squad with boss Baraclough no doubt pleased with the workout.

Motherwell First Half: Twardzik, Watt, Chalmers, Trialist Def, McManus, Lasley, Trialist Mid, MacLean, Thomas, Clarkson, Moult

Motherwell Second Half: Twardzik (B.Long), Law, Chalmers (Watt), Trialist Def (Trialist Mid), Laing, Pearson, Leitch, Ainsworth, Thomas (MacLean), Moore, Fletcher.

Motherwell FC is today delighted to confirm the appointment of Jim Hollman as the Club’s new Goalkeeping Coach.

Jim, 37, started his coaching career with the Ipswich Town Academy in 1998 before taking on the Senior Goalkeeping Coach job at East Anglian neighbours Norwich in January 2000, aged just 21 years old.

After reaching the Play-offs in his first season, Norwich won the 2003/04 Championship title with goalkeeper Robert Green conceding the least goals in the league. He and Norwich then enjoyed a season in the Barclay’s Premier League for the 2004/05 campaign.

He was at Carrow Road for over seven years before a short stint with Cambridge United between January and June 2008. He helped the Club reach the 2007/08 Football Conference play-off final but was quickly tempted back to East Anglia and a return to Portman Road with Ipswich Town.

He was part of the coaching team that guided Ipswich to the 2010/11 League Cup semi-finals, beating Arsenal 1-0 in the first leg but his three-year stay with Town would come to an end when Malky Mackay prized him away to form part of his coaching set-up at Cardiff City in July 2011.

[pullquote]It was a combination of a highly regarded manager, a great group of staff and an Scottish Premiership club with the history and reputation of Motherwell that meant I couldn’t turn it down.[/pullquote]

Cardiff made they Play-offs in his first season, before eventually winning the Championship in 2013/14 season, with Jim helping David Marshall keep the second best defensive record in the league that year, earning the Coach another stint at the Premier League.

Throughout his coaching career he played a key role in the development of a number of goalkeepers who have gone on to receive significant international and domestic recognition such as David Marshall, Tom Heaton, Asmir Begović, Richard Wright, Rob Green, Matt Gilks and Darren Ward.

Jim replaces Gordon Marshall, who left the club last week to take up a similar role at Aberdeen Football Club.

Speaking to motherwellfc.co.uk, Jim said: “I’m delighted to take on the role at Motherwell.

“I was approached by the manager when the position became available and he invited me to visit the club to meet him and his staff.

“I knew Ian had a hugely successful time with Sligo and I also knew he had a very good reputation within football.

“It was a combination of a highly regarded manager, a great group of staff and an Scottish Premiership club with the history and reputation of Motherwell that meant I couldn’t turn it down.”

Motherwell Football Club is delighted to showcase the new Macron home and away kits for 2015/2016.

It is Motherwell’s second season with the Italian sportswear giant and the fifth with principal sponsors Cash Converters.

For inspiration, the Club looked to two memorable kits from the past.

In a break from the traditional hoop, we pay tribute to some of the stars from the 1970s such as Willie Pettigrew, Bobby Graham, Joe Wark and Peter Marinello with the diagonal band, claret shorts and claret socks. The 2015/16 home shirt will also carry the ‘MFC’ embroidery on the chest, as opposed to the regular badge.

The away strip pays homage to the 1994/95 away kit, fondly remembered for the game against Borussia Dortmund in the old UEFA Cup at Fir Park. The top is claret with amber pin-stripes, white shorts and claret socks, famously worn by the likes of Tommy Coyne, Dougie Arnott and Brian Martin in the season ‘Well finished Premier League runners-up.

The kits are available to pre-order online now by clicking here or in store at the ‘Well Shop at Fir Park Stadium.

The home kit will be on full general sale on Wednesday 15th July, with the away kit launching one week later, on Wednesday 22nd July.

Who would you gift the new 15/16 first team kit to and have them proudly wear it before it goes on general sale??

That’s right, this is a prize for you to give away!

What you need to do is nominate someone, male or female, and tell us why you think they should receive this fantastic prize!

Don’t worry, your thoughtful gesture won’t go unrewarded as you’ll receive a shirt signed by the newly assembled 15/16 squad – after the kit goes on general sale of course.

To enter this competition simply ‘Like’ the Motherwell Facebook Page, nominate who you want to win by tagging them in the comment section and then tell us in 10 words or less why you chose them.

There will be two winners, one male and one female who will each be invited to attend the media launch of the 15/16 kit  at Fir Park and get to meet two players.

Closing date is 4pm on Thursday 2nd July.

Your nominee must be able to attend the launch of the kit at Fir Park on Friday 3rd July at 1.45pm*

The winning entries will be chosen at random by a panel of judges and notified on evening of Thursday 2nd via Facebook. Should a winner not be able to attend then the Club will chose another entry to attend.

No correspondence will be entered into.

Good Luck!

*time may be subject to change

Terms & Conditions
• Competition is open to all fans that ‘Like’ Motherwell FC Facebook page
• Nominate a fan by tagging them in the competition comment section and describe in 10 words or less why they should win this prize
• There will be one male and one female winner
• Closing date is 4pm on Thursday 2nd July, 2015
• The winners will be selected by choice of Judges Panel
• Winners will be notified by Direct Message via Facebook on evening of Thursday 2nd July
• Entries of 11 words or over will not be considered
• Entries containing profanity or messages the panel consider to be inflammatory will not be considered
• No correspondence will be entered into
• Judges decision will be final
• The prize consists of:-
o Attend photo-call on Friday 3rd July, at Fir Park Stadium at 1.45pm
o Reporting into the Chapman Building, Firpark Street, Motherwell, ML1 2QN
o Travel and Expenses are not included in the prize
o Meet first team and ladies player and have your picture taken with them
o Nominee to receive full first team kit for season 15/16 consisting of shirt, shorts, socks
o Nominator to receive 1 x signed shirt by full first team after the public launch of the kit, mailed out to you