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Motherwell FC can today confirm Assistant Stephen Robinson has left the club to take up the vacant managerial post at Oldham Athletic.

Robinson, 41, initially joined the club in February of 2015, initially as Assistant to then boss Ian Baraclough.

The former Bournemouth and Luton Town winger played a huge part in helping the club retain its SPFL Premiership status that season, then, working alongside Mark McGhee, contributed to the return to the top six in 2015/16.

Robinson also worked with his native Northern Irish and was at the UEFA Euro 2016 Championship, assisting the side into the ‘Last 16’ of the tournament.

The clubs was reluctant to lose Steve, but absolutely respect his wish and ambition to be a manager and therefore granted permission for the English League One club to start negotiations at the tail end of last weekend.

[pullquote]it’s an important appointment and I’ll take my time to consider all the different aspects before offering the job[/pullquote]

Those discussions concluded with Robinson being offered the job, which he subsequently accepted.

‘Well boss Mark McGhee said: “Whilst it is disappointing to lose Steve, we understand this was a great opportunity for him.

“I said just last week that you can become a victim of your own success in a sense; that if and when you appoint talented, ambitious people, there’s a high probability that others who have deeper pockets come and take them away.

“That means the challenge for us is to find someone else as talented and as ambitious and start the whole process again, and that’s exactly what we’ll do.

“That all being said, it’s an important appointment and I’ll take my time to consider all the different aspects before offering the job.”

Everyone at Motherwell FC would like to sincerely thank Steve for his tremendous contribution and wish him every success in his future career.

As France sealed their place in the European Championship final last night, the ripples could be felt 1,150 miles away.

When the referee blew the final whistle on the home nations 2-0 victory over Germany in Marseille, the French players stood in front of their boisterous fans and conducted a celebration that has surged in popularity over the past month.

With their arms stretched wide above their heads, Antoine Griezmann and his teammates, together with thousands of supporters, conducted the thunderous ‘Viking clap’.

Known as the ‘Huh’, or ‘Hoo’, the celebration consists of players and fans chanting and clapping in unison – starting slowly before increasing in pace to the point where a wall of constant clapping and noise ensues.

France used it last night; Wales used it on Friday when they beat Belgium; and the winner on Sunday will likely use it too.

But the battle cry was made famous by the tiny nation of Iceland, whose success story captured the hearts of football fans around the world.

Their near-intimidating post-match celebration has becoming a viral sensation and a popular choice for a number of nations competing at the Euros.

However, the underdog quarter-finalists took inspiration for their chant (see below), and that inspiration was Motherwell Football Club.

Back in 2014, the Fir Parkers clashed with Icelandic side Stjarnan in the Europa League qualifiers and the fearsome chant was conducted by the ‘Well fans in front of an impressed travelling support.

However, Stjarnan’s Europa League experience was short lived as Inter Milan put them to the sword in a two-legged 9-0 defeat, so the supporters took their chant to the national side, who had been enjoying far greater success and surprised everyone when they made it to the quarter-finals this summer.

The chant has now taken its place as one of the most iconic highlights of Euro 2016, and is destined to be a regular feature at football grounds across the globe.

Today, on the morning following France’s use of the celebration, a top Icelandic radio station decided to get in touch with us to talk about the “Huh”.

Office assistant Stacey Callaghan took the call and spoke live on air, admitting the call came as a surprise.

She said: “I didn’t realise I was going live on air at first, and I thought it might have been a prank.

“But they asked me about the origin of the chant so I told them about the ‘Well Bois and how they use it on match days, and the guy on the radio loved it.”

She added: “They wished the club all the best for the season and I made sure to congratulate them on their success at the Euros.”

With the European Championships drawing to a close this weekend, the surge of the Viking chant is only just beginning.

Once it was a celebration used by Motherwell Football club and the ‘Well boys, but now it is being used by the biggest football stars on the planet, on the biggest stage of all.

Motherwell Football Club is delighted to showcase the new Macron home and special edition third kits for season 2016/17.

It will be Motherwell’s third with Italian manufacturers Macron and first with new principal sponsor Motorpoint, the UK’s largest independent car retailer who operate from eleven different locations including just a few miles along the M74 from Fir Park at Mount Vernon.

After last year’s switch to the diagonal band, the club returns to the traditional amber top with claret hoop. There is also a return of amber shorts, the first time since the 2012/13 when ‘Well finished runners-up in the last ever season of the Scottish Premier League.

The limited edition third kit pays tribute to the 25th anniversary of the ’91 Cup win, with the each of the participating players’ names such as Kirk, O’Neill, Arnott, Cooper, O’Donnell and others infused into the top, and the commemorative badge celebrating one of the clubs’ greatest ever triumphs.

The kits will be available either with or without the sponsors and can be pre-ordered from www.motherwelldirect.co.uk now! The home kit will be available from Tuesday 19th July with the third kit launched on Tuesday 26th July. The new ‘away’ kit will be showcased and launched shortly.

Chief Operating Officer Alan Burrows commented: “We’re delighted to showcase the first two of three kits this year and are delighted to welcome Motorpoint as our new principal sponsor.

“Over the last few years, we’ve grown our relationship with Motorpoint and delighted they’ve expanded their portfolio from the shorts to the shirt.

“In addition, we would like to sincerely thank everyone at Cash Converters who were our loyal sponsors for five seasons, one of the longest-standing partnerships in Scottish football and we very much look forward to continue working with them in different areas of the club.”

Adam Gilmore, General Manager of Motorpoint Glasgow, said: “Motorpoint is delighted to become the Official Club sponsor of Motherwell Football Club.

“We have formed a great partnership with the Steelmen since 2010, both on and off the field, and the opportunity for the Motorpoint logo to appear on the first team shirt is a hugely exciting and high profile development for the company and one that we look forward to building upon over the coming 2016-17 season as we continue to establish Motorpoint as the car buyers champion in Scotland.”

Fans should note tickets for Sunday’s friendly match against Hibs can be purchased in advance from the Fir Park ticket office.

Alternatively, tickets will be available from the ticket office at Easter Road on the day of the game from 2pm.

Kick-off is 3pm and tickets are priced at:

• Concessions are listed as Over 65s and under 16s

Mark McGhee and the players and staff of Motherwell continued their pre-season preparations yesterday with a ten-mile cycle from Auchinstarry to the Falkirk Wheel, in partnership with Outdoortrax.

As well as being a good work-out for the players, the cycle also served as a good recuperation exercise after a busy schedule of fixtures.

‘Well boss Mark McGhee felt the change of scenery was important for the squad.

He said: “We brought the lads out for a change from running, obviously with the matches at the weekend and [Tuesday] night, and we’re just going to do a ten mile cycle.

“It’s not a fitness exercise, it’s more of a recovery from the game, and [on Thursday] we’ll go back to training and we’ll be back in to the hard stuff – there will be a lot of running.”

[pullquote]It’s not a fitness exercise, it’s more of a recovery from the game, and [on Thursday] we’ll go back to training and we’ll be back in to the hard stuff – there will be a lot of running.[/pullquote]

The manager explained that the ten mile cycle can be a good way for the new signings to settle in.

He added: “There’s one or two new lads and we don’t really know their characters yet, so maybe today will bring them out a bit, make them feel more comfortable and a bit more part of the group.”

‘Well captain Keith Lasley believed it was a good exercise for the team.

The 36-year-old said: “It certainly was a change of scenery and it was a little bit of a different recovery session along here, it’s good to get all the boys together on the bikes something we don’t do often and it gets us away from Dalziel for a day.

“I think anytime you can do something and get all the boys together and it’s something different, it’s good.

“And it gives the boys that have come up from England a chance to see a bit of Scotland I suppose and see an iconic landmark too.”

Highlights from Central Park as Motherwell’s pre-season preparations continue apace against Cowdenbeath.

‘Well boss Mark McGhee took a number of positives from his sides pre-season friendly against Cowdenbeath.

Despite losing 3-1 at Central Park, the manager was pleased with his new signings and the fact the team avoided injuries.

And looking ahead to the league cup opener against Rangers, McGhee was also happy to give his players yet more game time.

He said: “I’m pleased that so many of us got 90 minutes, its only another game or so really before we go into the league cup game against Rangers so it’s important, and again we’ve come out of it unscathed.

“I think when you play a game the way we played tonight, there was a reasonable amount of commitment to the running and working, but there were times when maybe we didn’t go in to challenges the way we normally would.

“So it’s difficult to gauge really how important that is at this stage and how much more important it is that we didn’t get anybody injured and we go into the next game with most of the boys having played 90 minutes.”

[pullquote]I think on a better surface we would’ve turned better opportunities in to better chances and those better chances into goals.[/pullquote]

He added: “So from that point of view it’s another good exercise, obviously we’re always disappointed to lose a game but it’s a pre-season game.”

After creating a series of chances in the first half, the manager believes the squad will start to improve with more game time.

He said: “I think the surface [played a part] as well, to be fair. But that’s no criticism as I know the restraints that are on clubs like this financially, but the pitch was shocking really and we found it difficult at times to pass the ball.

“I think on a better surface we would’ve turned better opportunities in to better chances and those better chances into goals.”

On the new signings, the manager added: “I’m pleased, we’ve also signed Carl McHugh – a midfield player and we needed that.

“I thought Richard Tait was excellent, really no problems with him. I think anyone that was here tonight would’ve seen a good replacement for Josh Law and seen a good player.”

The ‘Well boss added: “With [Jacob Blyth] I think what’s happening is we’re all coming to see what he can offer us, he’s going to win the ball in the air, we’re going to get flick-on’s and we’re going to score goals off his centre-forward play.”

With Dumbarton and Hibs awaiting Motherwell on Saturday and Sunday, McGhee is looking forward to the next fixtures.

He said: “One of the great things about playing at Easter Road is we’re going to be playing on a good surface and we can enjoy playing on a good surface for perhaps the first time this pre-season, so we look forward to that.”

‘Well continued their pre-season preparations with a 3-1 loss away to Cowdenbeath.

Scott McDonald started for Mark McGhee’s side after signing a new deal with the Fir Parkers last week and the forward looked sharp from the first whistle, as his strike on the turn after two minutes rose over the crossbar.

And the Aussie was at it again just minutes later, as a ball over the top was collected well by McDonald, who avoided a challenge in the box but dragged his low strike just inches wide of the post.

And his strike partner Blyth looked up for the occasion too, working tirelessly and winning the ball well in the air.

The target man chased down what looked to be a lost cause in the fourth minute, with a strong challenge winning a corner for the Steelmen. The resulting spot kick was well cleared by the home side.

It was a familiar story for the majority of the opening ten minutes, with a strong Motherwell side dominating the play, as the corner count rose and rose and at the opposite end Samson remained a spectator.

Debutant Craig Tait dealt expertly with a fizzing cross, as the full-back settled in comfortably in defence.

Blyth looked full of confidence as he dropped deep to collect the ball in the 15^th minute, but his strike from distance was high of the mark.

A minute later, and Motherwell won a free-kick on the edge of the box after McDonald was dragged to the deck.

The forward looked set to test the keeper, but instead rolled the ball into the path of Marvin Johnson, whose low strike was well held by David McGurn.

Cowdenbeath’s first real opportunity came in the form of a set-piece after the ‘Well gave away a free-kick in their own half. A good delivery into the box was headed well over and Samson remained untested after 22 minutes.

And at the opposite end, a foul on Lasley resulted in a similar opportunity, but McManus’ shot missed the target after Cowdenbeath failed to clear Hammell’s cross.

Some neat play down the left flank by Johnson and Hammell looked to threaten the home side, as the Fir Parkers continue to dominate but couldn’t find the breakthrough.

Cowdenbeath went close on the half hour mark, as a well delivered corner from Mullen was headed over the bar.

However, the breakthrough finally arrived two minutes before the break, when Kieran Kennedy’s long ball fed Marvin Johnson through on goal. The midfielder only needed two touches to put it beyond McGurn: the first a slight header to take it towards goal and the second a neat touch with the outside of his left boot into the corner.

Midfielder Burton O’Brien looked hungry to strike back as he dribbled past a couple of challenges, but his strike from 20 yards never looked to trouble Samson, and it sailed over for a goal-kick.

Motherwell took a 1-0 lead into half time, but on another day it could have been two or three.

As was the story against Albion Rovers on Saturday, goal-scorer Marvin Johnson made way at the break, this time alongside Cadden. The pair were replaced by Thomas and Moult.

Just over five minutes in to the second half, Kris Renton had the first real opportunity, but skewed his shot wide.

And in the 54^th minute, Cowdenbeath were level after the referee pointed to the spot. A heavy touch from Kennedy led to a lunging tackle and, despite getting a firm foot on the ball, the penalty was awarded and Dean Brett made no mistake from 12 yards.

Five minutes later and some neat link-up play between McDonald and Blyth on the break nearly restored the Fir Parkers lead, but Blyth’s strike on the stretch and from a tight angle missed the target.

Gasps were heard around Central Park from the travelling support as a late, lunging challenge on Scott McDonald saw the forward fall to the deck clutching his ankle, and in a competitive match could have resulted in a red card for Sean Rutherford. From the resulting free-kick, McDonald shook himself off and looped his strike over the wall, but it was well saved by McGurn.

Then, down the opposite end, Cowdenbeath punished McGhee’s men as a corner was headed in to the back of his own net by Kieran Kennedy.

And it could have been three for Cowdenbeath if it weren’t for a good save by Craig Samson, who denied Kyle Miller from eight yards.

Trailing the match with just over 20 minutes to play, the ‘Well boss brought on youngster Allan Campbell for Keith Lasley, who played a full 90 minutes in the 3-1 win over Albion Rovers on Saturday. However, on the 71^st minute, Cowdenbeath did get goal number three and it was a very well-worked effort.

The ball looked to be heading out of play, but a wonderful back heel played in one of their many trialists who powered a volley across goal towards yet another trialist, who tapped it beyond Samson.

Mark McGhee made another change in the 74^th minute, as Lionel Ainsworth replaced the Steelmen’s trialist.

In the dying minutes of the match, Motherwell went close to pulling a goal back, but somehow the home side kept it out after the ball was cut back to leave virtually an open goal, but it was well read by the defence.

But the evening ended in defeat for Motherwell, who face Dumbarton on Saturday in the fourth pre-season friendly.

Motherwell: Samson; Tait, Hammell, Kennedy, McManus; Lasley (Campbell ’69), Cadden (Thomas ’45), Trialist (Ainsworth ’75); Blyth, McDonald, Johnson (Moult ’45)