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Goalkeeper Dean Brill has signed a one year deal with the Steelmen and is hungry to compete for the number one jersey. 

The 30-year-old ex-Inverness CT stopper, who has returned from a year out through injury, will compete with Craig Samson for a spot in Mark McGhee’s starting line-up.

And the Englishman is happy that the paperwork is out of the way early on, having tied up the deal on Monday.

He said: “It’s good to get it done, especially on the first day of pre-season after I was at training this morning. I’m pleased it’s all done and I’m looking forward to the season ahead.”

[pullquote]”I’m grateful to be here and push for that number one spot.”[/pullquote]

After missing last season, Brill hopes to go beyond the level he was playing at before injury struck, and claims he never lost his hunger for the sport.

“It’s not a benefit but it does allow you to reassess where you want to go.” He explained; “I’ve been working hard in the gym and it’s been a long comeback, but I feel that I’m now stronger and I’ve got that hunger to get back to where I was and hopefully go beyond that.”

“I don’t think I ever lost [that hunger]. I’m a football person: I love it, I love watching it and I’m football mad, so it’s nice now that the reigns are off and the injury is clear and I’m going to get a good pre-season under my belt and it’s a great opportunity at a club like this.”

The keeper touched on his first morning in training under manager Mark McGhee.

He said: “It was good. It was easy, apparently. The manager said it was going to be a nice day but it was tough, pre-season is always tough but it was nice just to get back out and forget everything and get back involved again.

“The gaffer’s a character from what I’ve been told and what I’ve seen this morning. He’s got great experience and being involved in the Scotland set-up can only help as well.”

 Manager Mark McGhee insists that his pre-season preparations will not be rushed ahead of the League Cup clash with Rangers on July 16.

The players returned to training on Monday and the ‘Well boss was impressed with his teams fitness – but stressed that he does not expect them to be back to full fitness too soon and his priority is to avoid injuries.

He said: “There’s always apprehension, there’s always that fear of what’s to come and the difficulty that pre-season training represents.

“But it’s nothing silly; the first day today we’ll do a bit of interval running, a little bit of body circuits and introduce them gently.”

The players, who each had strict programmes to follow over the break, arrived back at training on Monday.

McGhee said: “The fitness levels should be good anyway but we have to make sure that we’re getting up to speed as quickly as we can.

“We won’t be ready [on July 16] the way we expect to be when we’re four or five games in to the season, it’s impossible. If we try to do that we’re likely to injure people.”

He added: “One of the main objectives of any pre-season training campaign is to avoid injuries and to come through it with everyone fit – both in terms of their physical fitness, but also not pulling muscles or over-doing it so we don’t get injuries early on.”

And on the back of the addition of a few new signings, the Fir Parkers boss said: “It’s good to see some new faces, I think it energises everybody with new faces and new voices – and [the players] will all be looking forward to seeing how good they are too.”

A selection of images from the first day of pre-season training at Dalziel Park.

[svgallery name=”preseason270616″]

Motherwell have today made a trio of signings with Ben Heneghan, Richard Tait and Jacob Blyth all joining the club.

6ft 4 inch centre defender Heneghan, 22, signs after two successful years at National League side Chester. The club were able to beat off stiff competition from English Championships clubs to secure the England C International on a two-year contract.

Galashiels-born right back Richard Tait, 26, was with Nottingham Forest before joining Tamworth. He played almost 200 games with the Lambs before spells with Cambridge and Grimsby, this year winning promotion to League 2 via the Playoffs. He joins the club on a three-year deal and will wear the number 2 shirt.

Jacob Blyth is a 6ft 3 inch striker who joins the club from Premiership champions Leicester City. The 23-year old had a prolific start in the English National League before being bought by the Foxes in 2012. Although never have played for the King Power Stadium side, he’s enjoyed loan spells at Northampton, Burton, Cambridge and, most recently, Blackpool. The front man has signed a two-year deal with a third year option.

[pullquote]We are delighted to have secured all three lads as in all each situation, we had to battled hard against clubs on both sides of the border.[/pullquote]

‘Well boss Mark McGhee said: “We are delighted to have secured all three lads as in all each situation, we had to battled hard against clubs on both sides of the border.

“All three have been identified via our scouting network, headed up by Martin Foyle, and we’ve really done our homework on them all.

“Ben will come in and battle it out with Kieran Kennedy, Louis Laing and Stephen McManus for a centre back position and Richard is an experienced and talented right back who had a really strong season at Grimsby.

“Jacob gives us something we’ve not really got in attack, which is a big, powerful, strong centre forward who will run in behind.

“I am really looking forward to working with them all when we start on Monday. We’ve got other areas of the park we’re looking to strengthen, and will continue trying to nail our top targets.”

Motherwell is today delighted to confirm skipper Keith Lasley has signed a new one-year contract at the club.

The 36-year old has led Motherwell during some of their greatest moments over the last few years, and continues to play a starring role in the middle of the park.

He has a League and Scottish Cup Final appearance, is the clubs’ record European appearance holder (joint with Stevie Hammell which includes captaining the side for its only Champions League Qualifying tie against Panathinaikos), has two SPFL Premiership runners-up medals and completed his Testimonial season with a game against Bolton last year.

Lasley, who has over 450 appearances across fifteen seasons in Claret and Amber, is also a huge influence off the park and in the dressing room, and will continue to combine his playing role with being Assistant to Stephen Craigan with the Under 20s and managing the Elite Academy’s Under 17s alongside Stephen McManus.

[pullquote]I’ve never made any secret of my feelings for this club; everything we’ve been through and enjoyed together over fifteen or so years. It has been brilliant, and I am sure there can be more good times to come.[/pullquote]

‘Well boss Mark McGhee said “Keith is one of our most effective players so from a footballing sense, I am delighted to have him for at least one more year.

“However, he is more than just that for us – he’s a captain in every sense of the word. He, along with some of our other excellent senior pros, help set the culture at the club and take a real involvement in other areas such as the Under 20s and the Academy.

“When you’re building a squad, which we’re doing, you need guys who know what the club, the support and its expectations are all about, and that’s Las.

“We have plenty of more work to do, but retaining Keith in our structure is something I am very pleased about. He will play a key part for us in 2016/17.”

Keith added: “It has taken a bit of time, but I am really pleased we’ve managed to get a deal done and I am raring to go for the new season.

“I’ve never made any secret of my feelings for this club; everything we’ve been through and enjoyed together over fifteen or so years. It has been brilliant, and I am sure there can be more good times to come.”

“Pre-season is just days away, so I am sure everyone will be champing at the bit come the big kick-off next month.”

The Board of Motherwell FC wishes to express its extreme anger following the publication of the SPFL Premiership fixtures earlier this morning.

Motherwell, along with Partick Thistle and Hamilton Academical, have two home ‘Old Firm’ games pre-split, whereas some of our closest rivals have four, something that has never happened in the history of the SPL / SPFL, as far as we know.

This has a serious financial impact on our club, and we cannot and will not accept it.

It creates a significant financial advantage for some clubs over others and in our view, just as important, compromises the integrity of the competition, both in terms of the potential/need for adjusting respective player budgets up or down and the amount of games teams have to play at what has historically been the most challenging venues.

In previous seasons since the split, there has always been parity where clubs had the same amount of home games against both Old Firm sides (almost always three) and were expected to travel to both Celtic Park and Ibrox the same amount as every other team in the division prior to the split.

There was no hint of this fundamental change until we received the fixtures at 8.02am today and, therefore, like the other clubs in our position, now find ourselves significantly worse off than we were on Thursday night and with insufficient time to make appropriate adjustments.

We expect this unacceptable position to be reversed immediately.

In addition, whilst having sympathy around the difficulty of selecting games for certain times of the year, Motherwell FC believes having two midweek matches away at both Inverness CT and Ross County (the Inverness trip being three days after Christmas) sends out the wrong message.

Where possible, consideration should be given, particularly around the festive period, to the needs of all supporters given we now have two fixtures that will be largely inaccessible for a significant portion of our fan base.

Motherwell will start the 2016/17 season with an away match against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

‘Well will then face St Johnstone at home before an away match against Rangers the following week.

The Steelmen will see out the first month of the new campaign with a home fixture against Dundee.

Somewhat unusually, Mark McGhee’s men face two away trips to both Ibrox and Celtic Park before the split, with the home matches set for 3rd December (vs Celtic) and 28th January (vs Rangers).

The first Lanarkshire derby of the season against Hamilton Accies will be on the 17th of September at Fir Park, with the ‘return’ match at New Douglas Park set for Hogmanay.

The SPFL have also given Motherwell two midweek (Wednesday) away trips to both Inverness (28th December 2016) and Ross County (1st February).

Click here the full fixture list.

Motherwell FC can today confirm prices for the two home Betfred Cup Group matches at Fir Park.

vs Rangers (Saturday 16th July 2016)

Adults: £15

Concessions: £10

Juveniles: £5

Fans should take note of the following information in relation to the tie, which will be an all-ticket match (going on sale at 10am on Friday 17th June):

1. 2016/17 Season Ticket holders will have the option to purchase tickets for the match by using Voucher A from their book (maximum of three tickets per voucher). Current Season Ticket holders who have renewed or bought, but haven’t as yet received their books, can collect at the same time as purchasing their League Cup ticket(s), if they so wish. Fans can also renew or buy their Season Tickets at the same time too.

2. Fans who haven’t renewed or bought their season ticket for 2016/17 can still buy tickets, but must have been a season ticket holder in the previous three years, have bought home end tickets over the last three seasons or are a ‘Well Society member on or before 26th May 2016. Please note, this is not applicable in the Phil O’Donnell Stand where, due to space restrictions, only those who have bought (or will buy/renew prior to the match) their 2016/17 Season Ticket will have the option to buy three tickets (as per point 1).

3. In both points 1 and 2, the club will endeavour to allocate tickets together, but in situations such as the Phil O’Donnell Centre Stand, it might not always be possible.

4. Visiting fans will be housed in the South Stand behind the goal at Fir Park. There will be no additional provisions in the wings of the Phil O’Donnell Stand, both of which will be closed for this match. Visiting fans should purchase their tickets direct from Rangers FC – there will no sale of away tickets from Fir Park either before or on the day of the match.

5. Any fan purchasing tickets on behalf of others should note they take full responsibility for that person(s).

6. Concessions are considered to be over 60s, full time students with a valid matriculation card and young adults aged 16-18 (proof of age may be required). Juveniles are listed as Under 16s.

vs East Stirlingshire (Tuesday 26th July 2016)

Adults: £10

Concessions: £7

Juveniles: £5

Fans should take note of the following information in relation to the tie, which will be a regular pay-at-the-turnstiles match:

1. Visiting fans will be housed in the South Stand behind the goal at Fir Park.

2. Concessions are considered to be over 60s, full time students with a valid matriculation card and young adults aged 16-18 (proof of age may be required). Juveniles are listed as Under 16s.

Fans who require disabled access for one or both matches should contact John at the Disabled Supporters Association (DSA) on 07711 992161 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Motherwell will play Arbroath at Gayfield on Sunday 3rd July, as pre-season plans near completion.

The game is the fifth of potentially six to be confirmed, with dates and times confirmed below.

The game against the Red Lichties will kick-off at 2pm, with admission information to be confirmed shortly.

Pre-Season Schedule:

Saturday 2nd July 2016
vs Albion Rovers
Cliftonhill Stadium, Coatbridge
Kick off: 3pm

Sunday 3rd July 2016
vs Arbroath
Gayfield Park, Arbroath
Kick off: 2pm

Tuesday 5th July 2016
vs Cowdenbeath
Central Park, Cowdenbeath
Kick off: 7.30pm

Saturday 9th July 2016
vs Dumbarton
The Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium, Dumbarton
Kick off: 3pm

Sunday 10th July 2016
vs Hibernian
Easter Road, Edinburgh
Kick off: 3pm

With Father’s Day just 11 days from now, we’ve pulled together some Claret & Amber themed suggestions that we know he’ll love!

1991 Anniversary Scarf
The next run of scarves is about to enter production, so PRE ORDER yours now – it would make an ideal gift and if you order now we can have the voucher out to you in plenty of time for Sunday 19th
£25 | Click Here

Tunnel Tiles
Each white tile is 25x20cm in size and will carry your own personal message to your dad, carved in claret in the Tunnel for all time.
You’ll also receive your official certificate of authenticity at the point of sale, followed by a letter offering a choice of dates for you to come along and visit the tunnel to see your special message in place.
£25 | Click Here

The Class of ’91 DVD
The Class of ’91 tell their own inside story of the cup run, reflecting about the team bond and belief that drove them on game after game, ensuring their place in the Motherwell history books.
With unseen footage, new interviews and match action this DVD is a must for all ‘Well fans.
£18 | Click Here

2016/17 Season Tickets
Sign your dad up for next season with a 2016/17 season ticket! A season ticket will guarantee his seat at every Premiership game and entitle him to a range of discounts from local outlets.
from £180 | Click Here