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Motherwell Football Club are delighted to announce Portsmouth striker Curtis Main as the first signing of the January window.

The 25-year-old Englishman arrives on an initial 18-month deal, after securing his exit from Pompey on Wednesday.

“I’m pleased to be here and I’m looking forward to this new challenge,” Main said on his arrival at Fir Park.

“A few weeks ago I heard about the interest and it’s been back and forth with the club and myself but finally we’re here and I can’t wait to get started.

“There were a few options but I felt this challenge, coming up here and testing myself in a new environment, is something that really appealed to me.”

‘Well boss Stephen Robinson, a long-term admirer of the striker, is pleased to have landed a player he’s admired for some time.

“I’ve tried to sign him a number of times before and I am excited to finally be working with him,” he said.

“I’ve brought him here to bolster our attacking options and get amongst the goals. He’s a strong, sharp, tenacious player with an eye for goal. If you look back on his career, he’s scored all different types.

“I am still looking to add more forward players to create real competition in that area of the field.”

Main came through the youth ranks at Sunderland, but it was at Darlington where he made his senior bow aged just 15 back in 2008.

His performances for the Quakers alerted a number of Premier League clubs, with Fulham and Newcastle both linked with the player. However, it was Tony Mowbray’s Middlesbrough where he ended up, signing for Boro in the summer of 2011.

He would spend three years at the Riverside, making his Championship debut at just 19, but struggled to nail down a regular starting berth scoring six times in 13 Championship starts.

After leaving Boro, he would move to League One Doncaster Rovers where he netted 11 times in 34 starts at the Keepmoat Stadium. During that time, he also had a successful loan spell with Oldham, scoring on several occasions to help the Latics maintain their League One status towards the end of the 2015/16 campaign.

Although he still had one year left on his deal at Donny, Portsmouth paid an undisclosed fee to take the striker to Fratton Park, where he played a part in their league-winning season, although injury restricted his first campaign on the south coast, scoring five in eight starts before his season ended prematurely.

With Kenny Jackett’s side currently amongst the fight for promotion to the Championship, Main has been unable to dislodge goalscorers Brett Pitman and Ollie Hawkins and has been allowed to leave to find first-team football.

Ticket prices have been agreed for our William Hill Scottish Cup fourth round tie with Hamilton Academical.

The Steelmen host the Accies on Saturday, January 20 and, following agreement with our visitors, adult prices will be capped at £15.

Admission prices are as follows:

Concessions are for ages 16 to 18, over 60s and full-time students who can provide a valid matriculation card. Juveniles are classed as children 15 and under.

Tickets can be purchased in advance from the ticket office at Fir Park or supporters can pay at the gate on the day. Kick off is at 3pm.

Hospitality

Upgrade to a special cup hospitality deal for just £45 for season ticket holders or £50 for non-season ticket holders.

Our package consists of:

• Match Day Ticket
• Two-course meal served within the Centenary Suite
• Half time refreshments
• Pay bar

To book, call our events team on 01698 333333.

It’s been a memorable first half of the campaign for Motherwell, and now you can show your support for the rest of the 2017/18 season by purchasing a Flexi Ticket.

Supporters can save money by buying a five or 10-match package, rather than paying for games individually.

Having reached the final of the Betfred Cup, and with the team in contention for a top six finish in the Ladbrokes Premiership, an exciting second half of the campaign lies ahead.

As manager Stephen Robinson said after the cup final: Our season doesn’t end here. Buy a Flexi Ticket and get behind the players as they strive to make it even more of a season to remember.

How does it work?

When buying either package, you will receive a voucher printed with a barcode which, when scanned at our ticket office, will entitle you to receive the match tickets you require.

If you already know which games you want to attend when buying the package, you can take home the tickets right there and then.

Alternatively, on the day of each game, simply pop into our ticket office to have your voucher scanned and receive your match day ticket.

Flexi Ticket packages are available from the Fir Park ticket office right now, so call 01698 338 002 to make the most of this fantastic offer.

Please note that Flexi Ticket vouchers can only be redeemed at the ticket office. Please collect your ticket 30 minutes before kick off at the very latest.

The Flexi Tickets allow you to take advantage of all of Motherwell’s remaining 2017/18 Ladbrokes Premiership home matches. Tickets for other fixtures can be bought separately.

Prices are as follows:

*Please note, concessions are applicable to over 60s, full-time students with a valid matriculation card and 16 to 18 year olds. The Juvenile age of 15 and under is applicable as at August 1, 2017.

Highlights from Fir Park as Hamilton Accies come from behind to beat Motherwell 1-3.

‘Well boss Stephen Robinson reflected on a disappointing conclusion to 2017 following a 3-1 loss to Hamilton. 

The Northern Irishman, who admitted his side did well in the opening 45, felt that missed opportunities and Accies cutting edge led to yet another loss.

Speaking to MFC TV at full time, Robinson looked ahead to a crucial January break.

He said: “It was an extremely disappointing result. In the first half we dominated with so many chances and if you don’t take them that’s what happens.

“Tanner scores and then we put a lot of balls in to the box from free kicks and we got in to good areas – but sometimes our deliveries were poor if I’m honest.”

He added: “We didn’t take the chances when we were totally on top of the game and we got punished. Make no mistake, our second half performance was really poor.”

Motherwell threw away a one-goal lead as they lost the Lanarkshire derby 3-1 to Hamilton Academical.

Here’s what the players had to say after the match at Fir Park.

Richard Tait: “We didn’t play anywhere near our standard in the second half and it has cost us.

“I think we need to go away and have a look at ourselves. Tell ourselves a few home truths then come back with a fresh mind, fresh body and kick on again.”

Andy Rose: “I thought we started really brightly with the goal and created other really good chances. Then we came in at half time feeling very confident.

“We need to reflect on what made us so successful through the first few months of the season. Make sure we get that belief back in the side.”

Steven Hammell: “We came out in the second half ready but we concede a sloppy goal. Any chance we did create we didn’t look like taking.”

Phil McGhee at Fir Park

Motherwell failed to halt a poor run as Hamilton earned a derby win for the first time in eight games. And although second half goals from Rakish Bingham and Greg Docherty were enough to take all three points back across the Clyde, it took a debatable penalty, converted by Dougie Imrie five minutes from half time, to bring Accies into the game.

Until then, the Fir Parkers had looked comfortable and likely to add to Craig Tanner’s early strike. However, despite making the ideal start and being fired up for the challenge, the Steelmen never looked like over turning Accies’ two goal lead.

It was perhaps fitting that on the 10th anniversary of Phil O’Donnell’s tragic death, that Hamilton, his home town team, provided the opposition. Poignantly everyone inside Fir Park celebrated a minutes applause before the kick-off.

Prior to that Louis Moult, sidelined with a hamstring injury for the last six games, took a farewell bow before his departure to Preston.

In addition to Moult’s absence, ‘Well were still understrength for the final match of 2017 with injury and suspension depriving them of Charles Dunne and Carl McHugh, with Stevie Hammell and Alan Campbell being recalled to the starting line-up. There was also a start for George Newell alongside Ryan Bowman.

However, after forcing a double save from Accies ‘keeper Gary Woods within the opening two minutes, Bowman turned goal provider. Although his low across goal eluded Newell, Tanner was racing in behind to smash the ball high past Woods for his sixth goal of the season and give ‘Well a perfect start.

Ten minutes later, it was almost a carbon copy when Bowman again crossed from the left wing only for Tanner to fire the ball into the side netting.

Although the Steelmen held the upper hand and had series of tempting balls into the Accies box, there were no clear-cut chances to add a second goal.

After 35 minutes a challenge from Xavier Tomas caught Campbell. Tanner’s free kick was cleared to Gael Bigirimana and his drive for goal was deflected off the arm of an Accies defender. But despite strong appeals for a penalty, referee Andrew Dallas pointed to the corner flag.

Five minutes later, and from a similar situation, the referee had other thoughts when in attempting to block Ali Crawford’s shot from the edge of the box, Peter Hartley was adjudged to have used his arm.

Amidst the Motherwell protests, Dougie Imrie kept his cool to slide the spot kick into the corner of the net and bring Accies back into the game.

Just before the interval Campbell limped off to be replaced by Liam Grimshaw.

Worse was to follow for the home side nine minutes into the second half when Accies took the lead. Hartley’s attempted clearance fell kindly for Rakish Bingham and, despite having Tait in pursuit, the Hamilton striker dragged the ball into the box before firing across Carson and into the far corner of the goal.

‘Well brought on another forward, Alex Fisher replacing Andy Rose, as they increased the pressure on the Accies goal.

Bigirimana swung in a cross to put Woods under pressure, but the ‘keeper bravely punched clear with Hartley challenging. From the resultant corner, Hartley’s attempt to reach Tanner’s ball was impeded by Tomas but, despite appeals for a penalty, play continued.

With 18 minutes remaining Ross McLean took over from the hard running Newell, but before his introduction could have any impact Accies grabbed a third to claim all three points.

Unmarked at the corner of the box, Greg Docherty cut inside before firing the ball low and hard beyond Carson to give Accies a much needed win and leave Motherwell facing the New Year on the end of a long run of disappointment.

Motherwell were even denied the consolation of an injury time goal and a first for Fisher when his effort from a few yards was brilliantly stopped by Woods.

It is ten years to the day since Phil O’Donnell was taken from us, in the prime of his life, during a Motherwell match at Fir Park.

Many tributes have been paid by his family and former teammates as we mark this anniversary.

Phil O’Donnell was a fantastic captain, a fantastic role model and a fantastic man. His passing was both untimely and tragic.

As a club, we will always feel fortunate to have enjoyed his company and his talent. He remains an important part of our daily lives, with his memory and legacy displayed on the walls at the stadium to remind us of him.

Our thoughts are very much with his family and friends today. Please join us in a minute’s applause before the match on Saturday to celebrate his life.

You can read further tributes to Phil here on our website from:

• Stephen Craigan
• David Clarkson
• Steven Hammell

Motherwell return to Premiership action on Saturday, with Hamilton visiting Fir Park for the second Lanarkshire derby of the season.

It is a welcome return to home comforts for Stephen Robinson and his squad, who have endured a difficult run on the road of late.

Motherwell won the only encounter between the two sides this season, with Peter Hartley’s finish from a corner enough for the win at New Douglas Park.

And manager Stephen Robinson is confident of drawing a close to the year with three points on Saturday.

Not only could ‘Well extend the gap over Accies in ninth, but there is the potential of sealing a spot in the top six going in to 2018.

“We’re looking forward to it, it’s a local derby and obviously for the fans it’s something to get the bragging rights for. 

“We need to turn our form around now. We’ve been away from home a lot so it gives us another opportunity to get the fans right behind us and we go in to the game confident again.”

One man in particular who is relishing the derby clash is Craig Tanner – who insists the Steelmen have not been short of determination despite a poor run of results in recent weeks.

The Englishman aims to head in to the winter break on the back of a win and is ready to continue his positive run of form, having notched five goals and six assists this term.

Speaking to the broadcast press this afternoon, the 23-year-old looked ahead to the game against Accies and also discussed the imminent departure of Louis Moult. 

[pullquote]We’ve had the work rate for the club, the manager and the fans but it’s just been a case of results have been lacking. We aim to put that right on Saturday.[/pullquote]

“When you watch us in training I think our determination is there and even in the performances against Kilmarnock and Rangers you could see it. “

Hamilton will be without captain Michael Devlin through injury and Giannis Skondras through suspension, whilst the Steelmen will be missing Chris Cadden, Elliott Frear and Louis Moult through injury, whilst Carl McHugh is suspended. 

	Motherwell v Hamilton Academical
	Saturday 30th December 2017
	3.00pm
	Fir Park
	Tickets on sale from the Fir Park Ticket Office or pay at the gate.

Admission prices are as follows:

• Cheaper price is for the John Hunter stand.
• Concessions are applicable to 60 and over and full time students with a valid matriculation card.
• Juveniles are applicable to aged 15 and under.

If you can’t make it on Saturday, don’t miss the action by tuning in to mixlr.com/motherwellfc for live commentary or follow the match on Twitter @MotherwellFC

You can see the match highlights on MFC TV’s YouTube channel, as well as full reaction and a match report right here on the official website.

The Cooper Bar is open for both sets of supporters to enjoy pre-match food and drink from 11am. Children are welcome.

Chris Cadden and Elliot Frear will also be in the bar from 12.45pm in the Signing Zone. Come along and get your photograph taken and get an autograph.

The 13th issue of Steelmen matchday magazine is on sale now ahead of Saturday’s Lanarkshire Derby.

The limited edition issue contains stunning artwork celebrating the life of the late Phil O’Donnell.

Both Steven Hammell and Stephen Craigan remember the legend in moving and emotive interviews.

Regular features, including updates from the manager and the captain and a look at Saturday’s opponents Hamilton, remain in the latest issue.

A look back at 2017 is featured, as writer Andy Paterson reflects on the past 12 months in part one of his latest piece.

All of this and much more is available for the regular price of £3.

Don’t miss your chance to get a copy of the limited edition tribute to a late, great ‘Well legend.