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Motherwell Ladies have made their first three new signings ahead of the 2018 season.

Two former Scotland internationals joined Eddie Wolecki Black’s side as they met up for their first training session at Fir Park on Friday night.

The first is Emma Black, who has spent her entire career to date at Glasgow City, starting out as a striker before reverting to centre defence.

Black returns after a short spell out of the game, having amassed 40 Scotland caps during his career and being City’s first ever European goal scorer, netting in the UEFA Women’s Champions League against Athletic Bilbao.

Goalkeeper Claire Johnstone is the team’s second signing.

She started her career at Kilmarnock before spells in Iceland and at Celtic, Glasgow City and Rangers. The 35-year-old also represented Scotland for eight years.

The third signing is defender Ashley Nicolson, who joins from Spartans. An established player in the Scottish Women’s Premier League for the last few years, she has also had spells at Hearts and Rangers.

“We have brought in three very experienced players in Ashley, Emma and Claire,” Manager Eddie Wolecki Black said of the signings.

“We will be looking to add more to the squad in the coming weeks. We have built a strong squad so far ahead of the new season.”

Motherwell Ladies start their SWPL2 season in February. Fixture details will be announced in due course.

Steven Hammell is to retire from professional football to become Motherwell Football Club’s new Academy Director.

The 35-year-old will take on the important role as the club embarks upon its involvement in the Scottish FA’s new Project Brave youth development programme.

Having played 582 games in claret and amber, Hammell is Motherwell’s record post-war appearance holder.

The club legend will see out January as a player before officially taking up his new post at the start of February.

“It’s been almost 20 years to the day that I joined here straight out of school,” he said. “Between then and now, there have been a lot of good memories made that I will take with me for the rest of my life.

[pullquote]It’s been a real highlight playing so many times for this club, the club I love.[/pullquote]

Hammell started his professional career at Fir Park in January 1998, he made his debut in 2000, starting in a Scottish Premier League match against Aberdeen.

He won full international recognition back in 2004, when the late Tommy Burns capped him in a friendly match against Sweden at Easter Road.

In 2006, he departed for a short spell in England with Southend United, spending 18 months south of the border before returning to Motherwell in January 2008.

Hammell was rewarded for his service with a testimonial against Everton in 2012.

“Steven Hammell has been a great servant and model professional for the club over the years,” Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson said of his decision.

“We are glad he is staying on at the club in his new role. The job of bringing young players through here is crucial for our ongoing success.”

Motherwell were recently named among the eight clubs chosen by the Scottish FA to head up the Elite level of its new Project Brave initiative.

Chief Operating Officer Alan Burrows added: “When the board sat to discuss who the new Academy Director would be, one name shone above all the others.

“Not only has Steven been a terrific player for this club, more importantly, we feel he is exactly what we require for the post. He is an extremely popular and respected figure at the academy, where he has worked for several years.

“He is not only qualified to do the role, but his experience working with younger players and coaches can be an inspiration for any youth player at Motherwell, given he himself came through our ranks to break records.

“We are delighted to be working with him and look forward to see some of his exciting and positive plans bearing fruit over the next few years.”

Motherwell players, staff and former players have paid tribute to Steven Hammell, who is to retire from professional football to become Motherwell’s new Academy Director.

The legendary defender will be available for selection until the end of January, before taking up his new post.

Congratulations on a brilliant career @stevenhammell it’s been a absolute pleasure playing with you, perfect guy for your new role at the club you will smash it!! Buzzing for you Hamster https://t.co/92Tj1sdVFZ

— chrissy cadden (@chrissycadds) January 5, 2018

Richard Tait: “Congratulations Hammy on a terrific career and service to Motherwell FC. Just want to wish you all the best in the new role. In my opinion no better man for the job. Delighted for you. Great times ahead for the next generation of footballers at Motherwell under your guidance.”

Trevor Carson: “It’s been a pleasure. A class act on the pitch and a gentleman off it. Good luck in your new role, you will smash it mate.”

Ryan Bowman: “All the best Stevie. It’s been a pleasure working with you on and off the pitch. Some career you’ve had, what a guy!”

Been an absolute pleasure hamster, what a player, great servant to the club and two touch king, Good luck in your new role @stevenhammell https://t.co/YW11dCPqyX

— Craig Tanner (@CraigTanner27) January 5, 2018

Congratulations @stevenhammell, unbelievable career and a top professional. Been a pleasure playing with you mate, good luck #leftside ⚽️ https://t.co/5fjad7p2rH

— Elliott Frear (@ElliottFrear) January 5, 2018

Been a pleasure to play alongside @stevenhammell Huge congrats on a remarkable career and best of luck in your new role https://t.co/CbsDiNqFlK

— Alex Fisher (@AlexFisher37) January 5, 2018

Allan Campbell: “Been a pleasure Stevie Hammell. What a player and role model for young players! Wish you all the best in your new role at the club.”

Keith Lasley: “Teammate, friend, legend.”

Legend all the best mate !!

— Louis Moult (@louismoult) January 5, 2018

All the best to the legend @stevenhammell never forget that 30 yard shank on my debut… think it was the last time you hit the target one of the good guys & a great role model #hamster

— Adam Cummins (@AdamCummo4) January 5, 2018

Well done on a great career @stevenhammell lucky enough to have chased a few passes ‘down the channel’ also magnificent for the academy having someone with the playing experience to pass on to young players and drive to make things better https://t.co/zuGtDJdR1Y

— David Clarkson (@DavidClarkson85) January 5, 2018

What a legend! Great appointment for the next generation. One of the good guys in the game. All the best Hammy mate & cheers for everything over the years https://t.co/WtZOX6BmJ1

 — Dominic Thomas (@DomThomas23) January 5, 2018

Congratulations @stevenhammell on a great career. Was a pleasure learning my trade next to you and I’m sure you will have plenty wisdom to pass on to the next generation in your new role! https://t.co/7UPj1taeFt

— Mark Reynolds (@reyn01ds) January 5, 2018

As ‘Well legend Stevie Hammell prepares to hang up his boots, the defender is looking ahead to the next chapter in his football career.

Nearly 20 years in claret and amber have seen Hammell become the club’s post-war record appearance holder, pulling on the shirt 582 times.

And it’s a career that the 35-year-old looks back on with undoubted pride.

“It’s been almost 20 years to the day that I joined here,” he said. “I came straight out of school and between then and now there’s been a lot of good memories made that I’ll take with me for the rest of my life.

“Playing so many times for this club, a club that I love, and playing in so many European games as well as for the national team are some real highlights. I’ve made so many lifelong friends in staff members and team-mates.”

Whilst there is a element of pride and excitement for the next chapter of the experienced defender’s career, there is also a slight air of sadness to draw the curtain on such his remarkable playing days.

“I think as a young boy and when you start getting older and hit 30, then that magic 35 number comes your way, you want to be remembered. When you stop playing and hang the boots up, you want to be remembered fondly.

“It would be nice to be remembered as a player who gave his all whenever given his chance. The fans have been magnificent to me, there’s no denying that, I just hope I’ve repaid them by giving my all when I had the strip on.”

The transition may have come slightly earlier than he had planned, but Hammell admits he has been preparing for life after playing, and that this opportunity is one he will relish.

He said: “This is something I’ve prepared for for a number of years – it’s not just something that has fallen on my lap. I’m hugely honoured to have been sought out to do the job, but it’s something I’ve also prepared for.

“Over the last ten years I’ve done nearly every coaching badge or course – I’ve been to everything. It may have come a little earlier than I expected but it’s something I’ve got real confidence I can do well at.”

Curtis Main has set himself the target of being the man to fire Motherwell back up the Scottish Premiership table.

The striker signed on at Fir Park on Wednesday after leaving Portsmouth, teaming up with long-term admirer Stephen Robinson to become the first signing of the 2018 January window.

“I would like to come in and hit the ground running,” the Englishman said on his arrival. “Get stuck in and help get the team back up the league.

“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.

[pullquote]Hopefully I can help the team get back to the form they were showing earlier in the season and try and climb as high as possible in the league.[/pullquote]

Asked what fans can expect from him, Main added: “Hopefully lots of goals. I’m energetic, pace and power. Very direct. I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

Manager Robinson wasted no time in snapping up Main when his availability became known and the 25-year-old says that enthusiasm helped sell him on the switch to Scotland.

“As a player, it is all you want to hear,” he said. “That the manager backs you and believes in what you can do and your abilities.

“He’s obviously demonstrated that by bringing me to the club. Hopefully I can repay his belief in me.”

Main will be available to make his debut in the Scottish Cup tie with Hamilton Academical on Saturday, January 20. Buy your ticket today to welcome him to our club.

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.”