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Are you a male and aged between 35 and 65 years old? Is your waist size at least 38 inches? Do you want to lose weight, have a healthier lifestyle and ultimately be fitter?

Our 13-week Football Fans In Training programme can help you do this for free. You’ll get a behind the scenes look at your club, be trained by selected club coaches, have a nosy at the trophy cabinet and have the chance to talk tactics in the dressing room. Who knows, maybe you’ll even bump into a player or two.

So what are you waiting for? Our new intake will start on Monday, January 29 in the Davie Cooper Stand boxes at 6pm and will take place every Monday for 13 weeks thereafter.

The main aims of the programme are to:

• Increase knowledge of diet & nutrition
• Improve lifestyle choices
• Increase physical activity amongst participants
• Reduce weight and waist measurements
• Increase engagement in other physical activity

Over the course of the 13-week programme, participants will partake in a range of interactive classroom sessions to help make better lifestyle choices. They will also find out ways in which they can become more physically active, as well as setting targets and goals to increase their daily step counts.

“Football Fans in Training is an excellent example of how an innovative approach can engage a group of people who normally find it difficult to engage in mainstream health services,” David Caesar, the national clinical advisor to Scotland’s chief medical officer said of the programme.

“Thinking outside of the box, as this project does, allows for the delivery of effective health interventions that have a hugely positive impact on those who take part.

“Small but significant lifestyle changes set against the backdrop of professional football environments has proved a winning combination and a shining example”.

To register your interest please email graeme.mcarthur@motherwellfc.co.uk or call the Community Trust on 01698 239926. We just need to know your name, date of birth and waist measurement.

Motherwell Ladies have added another two players to their squad ahead of the forthcoming 2018 campaign.

The first is 22-year-old defender Stephanie Knox, who has joined the club from SWPL1 side Celtic.

The former Scotland youth international came through the ranks at Rangers, before making the switch to city rivals Celtic in 2015, playing the last two seasons with the Hoops.

The second new arrival is striker Sammy Hare.

It will be Sammy’s second spell working with Eddie Wolecki Black, who coached the player over a decade ago at Newburgh.

Another former Scotland youth international, she has spent time with Hibernian and had a spell in the United States. She was most recently with SWPL1 side Stirling University.

“I am obviously delighted to strengthen the squad further,” said Wolecki Black.

“Both players know the pressures faced with playing football at the top level in this country.

“They are both individuals who will add experience, drive and talent to a competitive group of players.”

Tom Aldred has long had his eye on another crack at top flight football in Scotland.

The central defender, who has signed on loan at Motherwell until the end of the 2017/18 season, had a short spell in the Scottish Premiership earlier in his career with Inverness CT.

Having also represented the country at youth level, the 27-year-old wasn’t going to pass up the chance to move to Fir Park when the chance arose.

“Playing in the Scottish Premiership was something I was really interested in,” he said on his arrival. “I’m looking forward to getting going.

“I am familiar with Scotland. My mum’s side of the family are Scottish and I’ve visited up here a few times.

[pullquote]I keep an eye on Scottish football and I’m aware Motherwell have had a good season so far.[/pullquote]

“Obviously with them doing well in the cup as well. I know a few of the boys as well I’ve played with, and against, in England.”

Aldred moves from Bury, where he joined from Blackpool in the summer, having taken the Seasiders to League One via the play-offs.

The towering defender adds to Stephen Robinson’s options in the centre back positions

“Wherever you go now, there’s competition for places,” he said. “Anywhere you go at any team, at any level. The more competition, the best it brings out in yourself.

“I am really looking forward to it, to getting my head down, working hard and being the best I can be for the football club.”

Motherwell Football Club are delighted to announce the loan signing of Tom Aldred from Bury.

The central defender has joined until the end of the 2017/18 campaign and will boost the defensive options available to manager Stephen Robinson.

Aldred has previous experience of playing in the Scottish top flight with Inverness CT and has also been capped at youth level in this country.

“I am really looking forward to it, to getting my head down, working hard and being the best I can be for the football club,” he said on his arrival.

[pullquote]Playing in the Scottish Premiership was something I was really interested in. I’m looking forward to getting going.[/pullquote]

The 27-year-old started his career with Carlisle United in 2008, before a move to Watford two years later.

After loan spells with Stockport County and Inverness CT, Aldred moved on to Colchester United, with further temporary stints at Torquay United and Barrow.

Regular games followed in 2012 after a move to Accrington Stanley, where he made 94 appearances before a move to the English Championship with Blackpool.

A regular with the Seasiders over the course of three seasons, the towering defender was their captain as they won the League Two play-off final last campaign.

A move to Bury followed in the summer under former Kilmarnock boss Lee Clark, where he made 23 appearances this season before the switch to Fir Park.

“We were clear from the start of the January window we were looking to increase our options in central defence.” manager Robinson said of his signing.

“Tom ticks that box and arrives at the club with plenty experience under his belt.

“We tried to get him in the summer, so we are delighted to finally have him at Motherwell.”

Motherwell return to action after the winter break when they face Hamilton Academical on Saturday, January 20.

The Lanarkshire rivals go head to head in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup as they play for a place in the last 16.

After agreement with the Accies, we’re offering reduced price entry for the big derby match here at Fir Park.

Adult entry costs just £15 for the game, while concessions go for £10 and those aged 15 and under will pay just £5.

Come and support the team as the Steelmen start their bid to reach a second cup final this campaign.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the ticket office or you can pay on the gate.

	Motherwell v Hamilton Academical
	Saturday, January 20 2018
	3pm
	Fir Park
	Tickets on sale from the Fir Park ticket office or pay at the gate.

Admission prices are as follows:

Concessions are applicable to 60 and over and full time students with a valid matriculation card. Juveniles are applicable to aged 15 and under.

Motherwell fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Brian Davidson on 07725 917161. Fans must contact Brian by Wednesday night before the match.

Motherwell Football Club is a busy place all week long, with community activities and great events going on as well as football matches.

This is our schedule for the week ahead across the departments for the week beginning Monday, January 15. For more information on anything listed, click the relevant links or call the club on 01698 333333.

Please note that many community-based activities are weather dependent.

Monday, January 15

Community

Walking Football: Fir Park astro turf, 1-3pm

Girls Development Centre: Fir Park astro turf, 3-5.30pm

Tuesday, January 16

Community

Football Fans in Training: Fir Park astro turf, 11am-1pm

Wednesday, January 17

Football

Our under 20s are back in Development League action against Dundee United. The game, which will be played at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium, kicks off at 2pm.

Community

Girls Development Centre: Fir Park astro turf, 3-5.30pm

Muir Street After School Club: Muir Street Primary School, 3-4pm

Dalziel After School Club: Dalziel High School, 5-6pm

Fir Park Mini Steelkids: Fir Park astro turf, 5-6pm

Lanark Mini Steelkids: Lanark Grammar School, 6-7pm

Fir Park Football Development Centre: Fir Park astro turf, 6-7pm and 7-8pm

Lanark Football Development Centre: Lanark Grammar School, 7-8pm

Thursday, January 18

Community

Muir Street After School Club: Muir Street Primary School, 3-4pm

Dalziel After School Club: Dalziel High School, 5-6pm

Friday, January 19

Community

Bellshill Mini Steelkids: Sir Matt Busby Centre, 4-5pm

Bellshill Football Development Centre: Sir Matt Busby Centre, 5-6pm

Fir Park Mini Steelkids: Fir Park astro turf, 6-7pm

Saturday, January 20

Football

The first team host Hamilton Academical in the Ladbrokes Premiership. Kick off at Fir Park is at 3pm. Supporters can buy tickets in advance or on the gate.

Admission prices are as follows:

• Concessions are applicable to 60 and over and full time students with a valid matriculation card.
• Juveniles are applicable to aged 15 and under.
• Motherwell fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Brian Davidson on 07725 917161. Fans must contact Brian by Wednesday night before the match.

Community

Fir Park Mini Steelkids: Fir Park astro turf, 9-10am and 10-11am

Saturday Club, Fir Park astro turf, 12-1pm and 1-2pm

Sunday, January 21

Our Under 20s face Stranraer FC in the long-anticipated Scottish FA Youth Cup fourth round tie. Kick off at New Tinto Park in Govan is at 11am.

Motherwell players spent the week enjoying warm weather training and the chance to bond together in Tenerife.

Manager Stephen Robinson hoped to recapture the spirit the pre-season camp in Ireland instilled in the team, as they prepare for the second half of the Ladbrokes Premiership season.

Arriving on Tuesday in the south of the island, the squad immediately got to work with some intensive training sessions, both out on the pitch and in the gym.

We also sat down with the manager to get his thoughts on what the week ahead would entail.

“In comparison to what we would have had in Motherwell, it’s been very good,” he said.

“I think we needed it, we did the same before the start of the season when we went to Dublin and I’m getting the same feel good factor coming back again.

“The boys are training at a high intensity, working really hard again and getting back to what we’re very good at.”

“I think the perception is that sometimes you come to a warm weather climate and you take it easy, well we’ve done the opposite.

“We’re having double sessions, we’re in the gym, we’ve got super facilities and you can do a lot of coaching out here.

“We gave the boys a few days off after the Hamilton game and we’re back on it again. We’re having double sessions, we’re in the gym, we’ve got super facilities and you can do a lot of coaching out here.”

Defender Richard Tait was similarly keen to use the Tenerife trip as a pick-me-up.

“The back end to the first half of the season was poor,” conceded Tait. “It wasn’t up to standard, was it? It’s form that is going to get you into trouble.

“Coming out here and using this week to come together as a team and put some more hard work in on the training ground will hopefully hold us in good stead when we go back.

“We started off the season well and that was probably due to going to Ireland and really grafting for the time we had there.

“We are looking to start our first match back with a win and carry on from there like we did in the first half of the season.”

Wednesday saw the team out on the pitch twice for training, as well as hitting the gym in between.

On Thursday we spent time with some of the injured players who made the trip to aid their recovery.

Chris Cadden, Craig Tanner and Peter Hartley spoke as we followed them through the different parts of their rehabilitation, and also got the thoughts of physio David Henderson.

Oh and did someone mention the hard work the players were putting in?

Thursday was one of the more gruelling sessions at Tenerife Top Training, as the heat picked up.

Influential midfielder Andy Rose was also on hand to give his thoughts on the camp and what lies ahead for the team on their return to Scotland.

“It’s been a really enjoyable trip so far,” the 27-year-old said. “There’s been lots of hard work and obviously the weather has been great and the facilities are fantastic.

“It was cold when we left but there’s a lot we can focus on over here all together in the heat of Tenerife.

“Getting away from everything and spending all day, every day together has been great. Bonding-wise it’s been important and tactically it means we can nail down things on the training pitch, so it’s been great.”

The hard yards were still being put in on Friday, but it also gave us a chance to have some downtime and a bit of fun.

We got Gael Bigirimana, Charles Dunne and new signing Nadir Çiftçi together for a game of Heads Up, with hilarious consequences.

Midfielder Liam Grimshaw is also a lively figure in the dressing room with his quick wit and one liners.

We thought it would be a shame to keep that behind closed doors, so we decided to give him his own chat show Grimmy Grills.

Watch our for more in the coming weeks but here’s his first episode with Cédric Kipré as he delves into the delicacy of snails with gravy and the towering Frenchman’s popularity with fans. And yes, he even sings his song.

Last up on Saturday was a friendly against Swedish side Ostersunds FK.

They are warming up to play Arsenal in the last 32 of the UEFA Europa League next month but, in a 70 minute match, the Steelmen were victorious thanks to Allan Campbell’s first half goal.

It was left then to manager Stephen Robinson to reflect on the success of the trip.

“I think it’s been a really beneficial trip and it’s brought a lot of people together,” he said.

“It’s gone really well. We couldn’t have asked for better facilities and we’ve been well looked after.

“The new boys that have come in have settled in really well. You can start seeing the buzz we had in Dublin starting to come back again.

“Credit to the board. They backed us to come away and hopefully it benefits us in the coming months.”

And then, before flying back to the slightly milder temperatures in ML1, the team took on one last task – the Crossbar Challenge.

Our thanks to Martin Tierney and Soccer Experience for their help in organising the trip.

Motherwell players signed off from their mid-season break in Tenerife with a win over Ostersunds FK on Saturday.

But before they departed, they also took the time to take part in a crossbar challenge, with the competitive streak in the squad again showing.

Who hit the bar? Watch our video to find out.