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Motherwell have signed England U21 goalkeeper George Long on loan from Sheffield United until the end of the season.

The 21-year old 6ft 4 inch stopper has played 80 times for the Blades first-team, including in the English Championship, as well as being a regular at England youth level.

He also spent time on loan at Oxford United this term and will provide competition to Dan Twardzik, Gunnar Nielsen and Ross Stewart for the number one role at Fir Park.

Speaking to motherwellfc.co.uk, ‘Well boss Ian Baraclough said: “George will increase the competition in a crucial position for us.

“His pedigree is undoubted having had recognition through the England Youth set-up, up to and including the Under 21s team.

“Hopefully he can continue the tradition at this football club of taking goalkeepers from England and developing them on.”

Long added: “I’m really looking forward to it and it’s a new challenge for me to play in Scotland.

“It will be great to get back playing and hopefully help push the team up the table.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about the club and the manager so I can’t wait to get started.”

Every month this season, Cash Converters will be giving you the opportunity to present your Motherwell Player of the Month with his trophy.

All you need to do is vote for the Well player you think has been the stand-out performer for January and you could be chosen at random to congratulate our star man in person and win a pennant signed by the individual himself.

To cast your vote, simply visit our Cash Converters SPL Facebook page by CLICKING HERE.

Competition closes at midnight on Sunday 8th February.

The player of the month presentation will take place on the week commencing 9th February.

 Extended highlights from Fir Park as 10 man Motherwell earn a point against St Johnstone

Action pictures from today’s hard-fought 1-1 SPFL Premiership draw with St Johnstone at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

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Ian Baraclough praised the impact of his young substitutes as they helped injury-ravished ‘Well earn a point against St Johnstone.

The Steelmen, who have nine first-team players injured including Pearson, Lasley, McManus, Hammell, Vigurs, Lawson and others, went a goal down early on before being rather harshly reduced to ten men when Louis Laing was sent packing on his ‘Well debut.

It was a torrid first half, however, the introduction of Fraser Kerr, then Dom Thomas and Craig Moore lifted the side and the crowd, as the Fir Parkers came roaring back into things.

Thomas had a stinging shot of his own before beating three players to tee up John Sutton who smashed home from just inside the box, his seventh of the campaign.

A point was no less than the team deserved and Baraclough lauded the contribution from the bench.

[pullquote]They’re all young, fresh-legged and eager to get on the ball and impress and show what they can do. That’s what the crowd want to see, some energy, positivity and having a go.[/pullquote]

He said: “All three showed the right character you want and they drove us on.

“They’re all young, fresh-legged and eager to get on the ball and impress and show what they can do. That’s what the crowd want to see, some energy, positivity and having a go.

“All of sudden the place is lifted, the drum starts to bang and we’re in a game.

“It’s Thomas’ trickery that created the goal and that’s what you ask from people who you bring on. Can you get on there and change the game for us?

“We need to take the confidence from the way we reacted today and with the addition of a few new faces and hopefully some back off the treatment table, we’ll be in good shape in two weeks time.”

[tab:Match report]

Phil McGhee Fir Park

Motherwell showed great determination and team spirit to grab a point and halt their losing run against St Johnstone today.

However, John Sutton’s sensational second half equaliser to cancel out Murray Davidson’s early opener for Saints, only tells half the story.

The arrival at the club of a new owner Les Hutchison and two new players had intended to change Motherwell’s fortunes after a losing run of five games.

But crippled by an incredible injury list, including at least six first eleven choices, ‘Well’s bad luck and woes continued when Louis Laing’s debut was curtailed to 25 minutes when the Nottingham Forrest defender was shown a red card.

After a poor first half, though, and against the odds a tremendous second half from a gutsy 10 men ‘Well earned them a deserved point.

With an ever growing injury list Anthony Straker and Laing, who both signed on-loan in midweek, were pitched into a vastly changed home side.While Mark O’Brien returned from suspension, Stephen Pearson and Stephen McManus, who missed his first game of the season, joined Keith Lasley on the side lines. Without the departed Henrik Ojamaa, Lee Erwin partnered John Sutton up front.

The feel good factor of the new regime lasted only eight minutes when the young and inexperienced ‘Well defence was breached. Steven McLean slipped the ball to the unmarked Murray Davidson and from 12 yards the Saints midfielder calmly guided the ball beyond Dan Twardzik and inside the ‘keeper’s post.

With St Johnstone on an impressive run of form the Fir Park men faced a difficult task.

And their job was made almost impossible after 24 minutes when Laing was rather harshly shown a red card. Referee Willie Collum, who marked his last appearance at Fir Park by controversially sending off Stephen McManus, had no hesitation in doing like wise when Laing stumbled into the back of Chris Kane as the Saints striker headed for the box.

That riled the home fans and although ten man ‘Well stuck to their task for the remainder of the first half they never threatened Alan Mannus in the visitors’ goal.

Four minutes from the break Davidson almost made it 2-0 but Twardzik’s strong right hand pushed the ball round the post.

There was yet another change to the back four at half-time with Fraser Kerr replacing O’Brien alongside Craig Reid in the centre of defence.

It was at the other end, though, that Kerr almost made an impact when his measured header from Josh Law’s corner was nodded off the line by Gary Miller.

The home spirits and confidence increased and two crosses intended for Sutton caused some anxiety in the Saints’ defence.

After 58 minutes Ian Baraclough made his second and positive substitution bring on Dom Thomas for Luke Watt.

And ten minutes later Thomas tested Mannus with a low drive from 25 yards after being set up by Straker, who showed some good touches from left back in the second half.

Twenty minutes from time ‘Well went for broke bringing on Craig Moore for Stuart Carswell. At the same time Saints brought on James McFadden who received a warm welcome from the home fans.

It was Thomas, though, who showed the old McFadden magic after 75 minutes when he wriggled through three Saints players. He then played the ball in front of Sutton who wheeled and unleashed a terrific drive high past Mannus from the corner of the box for a deserved equaliser and set up a dramatic last 15 minutes.

Despite the encouragement of the renewed home support ‘Well couldn’t find a winner but their second half performance and a two week break to get first team regulars fit augers well for the all important trip to Ross County.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at Fir Park

10 man Motherwell battle back to draw 1-1. Deserved in the end #MFCvSJFC

FT: Motherwell 1 – 1 St Johnstone #MFCvSJFC

2 minutes added on #MFCvSJFC

86mins: McFaddens shot from 20 yards trickles harmlesssly past the post #MFCvSJFC

82mins: Scobbie slips as he tries to clear and that leaves Erwin inches away from beating Mannus to the ball #MFCvSJFC

79mins: Double St J sub, MacLean and Croft off for Graham and O’Halloran #MFCvSJFC

75mins: WHAT A GOAL!!! Thomas skips past 3, plays in SUTTON who hammers into the top corner from 16 yards

GGOOAALLLL!!

70mins: Motherwell sub, Carswell off for Moore #MFCvSJFC

70mins: St Johnstone sub, Kane off for McFadden #MFCvSJFC

69mins: Straker brings the ball down and plays in Thomas who drills a low shot from range which Mannus gets down to #MFCvSJFC

59mins: Erwin swings in a great cross from the left which Scobbis just manages to get to first ahead of Sutton #MFCvSJFC

58mins: Erwin does well to turn Easton and swing in a cross but its just a bit too long for Sutton #MFCvSJFC

58mins: Motherwell sub, Watt is off for Thomas #MFCvSJFC

53mins: Anderson concedes a corner, Kerr’s header is cleared off the line by Miller! Great chance! #MFCvSJFC

50mins: Miller gets to the byline and hooks a ball across goal which MacLean gets his head to. Flies inches wide #MFCvSJFC

Second half is underway. 10 man ‘Well with it all to do #MFCvSJFC

Half time sub for ‘Well, Kerr on for O’Brien #MFCvSJFC

HT: Motherwell 0 – 1 St Johnstone #MFCvSJFC

41mins: Kane capitilises on sloppy ‘Well defending and Twardzik is forced to beat his shot wide for a corner #MFCvSJFC

25mins: Red Card! Laing is sent off on his debut. Took down MacLean, denying a goalscoring opportunity #MFCvSJFC

22mins: MacLean is played through about 20 yards out and takes on the shot. Doesn’t trouble Twardzik, who gathers with ease #MFCvSJFC

16mins: St Johnstone win a corner, and it’s a let off as Scobbie sneaks in at back post and pokes it just past #MFCvSJFC

12mins: Free-kick to ‘Well wide on the left. Law takes….Anderson heads clear from 4 yards #MFCvSJFC

8mins: Goal – Davidson puts St J 1-0 up, slotting past Twardzik from 12 yards. They got through all too easily #MFCvSJFC

7mins: MacLean is slid in against Twardzik but linesman has his flag up. Twardzik saves, anyway #MFCvSJFC

5mins: A quiet opening 5 minutes here at Fir Park…no chances so far. #MFCvSJFC

Pre-match formalities over, Carswell and Law get the game underway. COYW! #MFCvSJFC

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Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough:

“Any point is pleasing after the run of results we have had but the way we earned it and the way we went about it second half was good for me to see and good for the supporters and hopefully good for the group to realise they can play, they can be effective when they are positive and get on the ball and when they want to make things happen.

“The first half was a stark contrast to that. There was a fear and reluctance to get on the ball and make something happen. And that can’t happen in this situation.

“At half-time it could have gone one of two ways and they came through it.

“They have shown to me there is a desire there, when the chips are down.

“They could have felt sorry for themselves, 10 men, goal down, nothing going for us. But we didn’t and that’s full credit to the players that they picked themselves off the floor, because we all know first half wasn’t good enough at all.”

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright:

“We have dropped two points because we totally controlled the game from first whistle to last. We probably wasted too many opportunities in the first half.

“We didn’t start the second half particularly well, didn’t move the ball as well. When it went to 1-1 we looked more likely to score again.

“But we are disappointed with the goal. We missed two or even three chances to tackle and gifted them the goal by doing that.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Ian Baraclough hopes to use the positive news of new signings and the club takeover to inspire his side tomorrow.

The Steelmen have brought in defenders Anthony Straker (York) and Louis Laing (Notts Forest) in recent days and more will likely arrive before the end of the Transfer Window this Monday.

The club also confirmed on Friday that Les Hutchison’s purchase of the football club was complete.

For Baraclough though, it’s about trying to bounce back to winning ways despite having a horrendous injury list to contend with.

There was some hope after last week’s match at Tannadice where, despite defeat, ‘Well battled all the way and looked a threat.

[pullquote]“St Johnstone will come here and not make it easy for us but for me it’s about how we set about it and build on the positivity of last week as regards the endeavour.[/pullquote]

Asked if the events of the last forty-eight hours can inspire his team, the ‘Well boss said: “That is very much the aim.

“St Johnstone will come here and not make it easy for us, but for me it’s about how we set about it and build on the positivity of last week as regards the endeavour.

“The fans who came saw the team fighting for each other, fighting for the club.

“Not to go over old ground but we could have been two or three goals to the good before they got their first. It’s whether you take those chances and whether you get the breaks.

“We didn’t but tomorrow we may just get those breaks.”

New owner Les Hutchison talks about the takeover over the club, his background and the plans for the future of Motherwell Football Club.

Join the ‘Well Society —> CLICK HERE

Motherwell FC and the ‘Well Society are today (Friday) delighted to announce that Les Hutchison has completed his takeover of the Club.

John Boyle’s majority shareholding has been transferred to Mr Hutchison, who is providing working capital to enable the Club to become one of the best-run community owned football clubs in Scotland.

Mr Hutchison’s input is in the form of an initial substantial then subsequent interest-free loans, which are repayable over a five-year period. The total sum required will be finalised over the coming months.

The ‘Well Society has committed to helping the Club with any repayments it cannot meet and will assume control of the Club if and when the loans are paid off within the five-year period. The ‘Well Society has also loaned the club £190,000 over the past two months.

Mr Hutchison has met with all the players and staff at Fir Park in recent days and a detailed business plan was ratified at a meeting of the new board this afternoon.

‘Well Society Chairman Brian McCafferty will now also Chair the Club board. Jim McMahon and Derek Weir also remain as directors.

Three new directors have been appointed – Ian Reid, Peter Kellie and Leanne Thomas, who is Mr Hutchison’s daughter.

All three are from the local area and have been nominated by the new owner to help transform the business across various areas of the Club.

Mr Hutchison said: “I’m very pleased today that we have begun this new chapter of Motherwell Football Club’s history.

“Hopefully we can change the agenda of the club. By my involvement it is now more of a philanthropic and community-based activity.

“The objective and the agreement that is in place with the fans is that in five years or less we make the improvements that are needed at the Club, that we move it into the position of being financially self-funded and then migrate the ownership to the ‘Well Society.

“I am extremely pleased with the Community Trust which operates from the Club, who assist some 35,000 local people in all sorts of ways such as kids at school, teens into football, ladies football, basketball and walking football for people my age. Some great work I am keen to encourage and support.

“During the time I am not taking any money out of the Club and none of the directors are taking any money.”

Mr Hutchison has appealed to Motherwell fans to back the project any way they can, for example by considering using the Club’s facilities for functions.

“The clear message which has to go to fans and sponsors and to everybody associated with the Club and community is that this project will not succeed without their active involvement,” he said.

“If we can have lots and lots of people involved in a small way then we can achieve our objectives.”

Motherwell FC Chairman Brian McCafferty added: “I would like to thank Les Hutchison for his generous loan and for providing his expertise and other resources to help transform the Club’s financial fortunes.

“We also owe John Boyle a huge debt of gratitude for facilitating the move towards fan ownership. He has selflessly put the Club and fans before his own interests.

“And everyone who has contributed to the ‘Well Society should feel very proud today – you have all played a significant role in keeping the Club in the hands of the community.

“The ‘Well Society now has a central role in the running of the Club and a clear route to ownership and we encourage all Motherwell fans to help us achieve that goal.

“I’m honoured to be taking on my new role and look forward to a bright new future which engages supporters and the wider community.”

John Boyle’s sixteen-year control at Motherwell Football Club has now formally come to an end. In addition, Andrew Wilson, Stewart Robertson, Graham Barnstaple and John Swinburne are stepping down from the Motherwell board to pave way for the new directors.

Everyone at Fir Park would like to acknowledge the significant contribution all five gentlemen have made and thank them for their tremendous efforts over the decades of combined service.

Motherwell FC can today announce the loan signing of highly-rated Nottingham Forest defender Louis Laing.

The 6ft 2 in centre back has spent the first half of the season on loan at League 1 side Notts County and performed excellently, tasting defeat just once in his 12 matches

The 21-year old former England Youth International started his career at Sunderland and made his Premiership debut for Black Cats against Wolves back in May 2011.

He also spent a brief loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers before signing for Stuart Pearce’s Forest during the summer.

He was farmed out to near neighbours County in September before opting to join on at Fir Park until the end of the current campaign.

The Steelmen have managed to beat off competition for his signature and he’ll go straight into the squad for Saturday’s match against St Johnstone.

[pullquote]I want to play every game, everyone does, and help the team climb the table.[/pullquote]

Laing said: “I trained for the first time on Thursday morning and it was a good session. I like the way the manager speaks and he puts on good drills in training. The manager and all the coaching staff seem really good.

“All the lads seem like good lads, there are no bad eggs in the changing room.”

“I want to fight for a place in the team and stay in the team. It’s not going to be easy because there are some good players here but I want to play every game, everyone does, and help the team climb the table.

“I’m match-fit, I’m sharp, I feel good. I have been playing games at Notts County before this and there has only been a couple of weeks when I haven’t been playing. Even then I have been training well so no worries.”

Ian Baraclough feels the signing – which follows earlier deals to bring in Stephen Pearson and Anthony Straker – is a real capture for Motherwell.

“He’s a player that was sought after,” the manager said. “I watched him a couple of times at Notts County and I know about his character from speaking to people at Notts County.

“They put a bid in to buy him but Nottingham Forest wanted to keep him for another season and they were happy for him to come up to the Scottish Premiership. I’m really, really pleased about that because it was a coup for the club.

“He is a strong player who is comfortable on the ball. He’s got good pace and he brought a calmness and assuredness to Notts County. He will go on to be a top, top player I’m sure and we will aid him in that development.”