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The Cash Converters “Convert for Cash” challenge returns this Sunday when Dundee United visit Fir Park and you can win £100.

It’s on STEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELMEN!!

The Cash Converters “Convert for Cash” challenge is here again. The event that pits home fan against away fan, confronted by the sight of our very own gaffer Stuart McCall, is back again versus Dundee United this Sunday.

Faced by a life-sized statue of Stuart McCall, fans must run round him 3 times, before composing themselves to score past our mascot, Claret, EITHER from the edge of the box (the £100 ball) or the penalty spot (the £50 ball).

Enter at the Cash Converters SPL Facebook page by CLICKING HERE.

In addition, Cash Converters will also be donating £150 per challenge to their official charity for the 2011/2012 season, Dreams Come True.

For your chance to win £100 in the “Convert for Cash” challenge against Dundee United, enter your details at the Cash Converters SPL Facebook page now:CLICK HERE.

The Facebook page will also give you the chance to win a whole host of other prizes, including tickets and exclusive, money-can’t-buy experiences. Simply “Like” the page, and get entering.

The draw will close at Noon on Friday 11th May

*Please note: You must be aged over 18 to take part, and proof of age will be required on the day. You must also already possess a match ticket.

Club captain and Motherwell stalwart Stephen Craigan has announced he will retire from the professional game after Motherwell’s final game this weekend.

Stephen was offered a new contract with the club but after careful consideration with his family he has decided to end his playing career after Motherwell’s most successful season and concentrate on media work. Steven is currently discussing offers from various TV and Radio stations.

The Northern Irishman, 35, enjoyed an 18 year career, which saw him notch up 378 appearances for the Steelmen and 54 international caps.

Speaking earlier today, Craigan said, “When I joined the club in 1994 I had no idea that I would spend the majority of my adult life and footballing career at Fir Park. My aim was to play football professionally and today I can say I achieved my goal and it’s been a wonderfully satisfying journey.

“I take a lot of pride that I’ve represented the club 378 times and in wearing the claret and amber colours. It was a privilege to follow in the footsteps of some great players who’ve played not just at Fir Park over the years but at centre half.

“I want to thank all the players that I’ve played with throughout my career, past and present. At times I’m sure I was hard work but it was all for a good cause, winning. I’ve learned a great deal from all the managers I’ve worked under and I hope I set a good example for them with my work ethic.”

Everyone at Motherwell would like to thank Stephen for his loyalty and his contribution to many successful years with the Club. While his football career has drawn to a close, we would all like to wish him the very best in his future endeavours.

You can read all of Stephen’s comments in our award-winning match programme on Sunday.

Motherwell scooped the Best Club Media Relations gong for the fourth successive year at the Clydesdale Bank SPL Awards tonight.

After previously winning the award in 08/09 and 09/10, the organisers made the voting structure more stringent and the Scottish media were asked to rate each club on a number of areas including facilities, player accessibility and helpfulness of club staff, to give an all round view.

Motherwell were again awarded the honour last year in 10/11 and once again came out on top and collected the award this season at the ceremony, held in the Hilton Glasgow.

Press & Media Manager Alan Burrows said, “I am delighted that we have managed to retain the award for a fourth successive year.

“Every season we try and take it up a notch be it facilities or access and I am thrilled our colleagues in the Scottish press have recognized that again.

“It is important to stress though that although it is me going to take the acclaim, this is very much a team effort. I have two guys – Ross Clarkson and Ally Reilly – who work beside me every day and a strong team who give of their services free of charge each and every week and this award is for them as much as anyone.

“It’s also directly related to how good Stuart McCall and the players are at fulfilling their press and media requirements. They are a pleasure to work with and make my life much easier – I am chuffed they are getting their rewards this campaign to go along with this award tonight.”

The full list of winners is:

• Manager of the Season – Neil Lennon, Celtic FC
• Player of the Season – Charlie Mulgrew, Celtic FC
• Young Player of the Season – James Forrest, Celtic FC
• Goal of the Season – James Dayton, Kilmarnock FC
• Save of the Season – Allan MacGregor, Rangers FC
• Under 19 League Player of the Season – Paul George, Celtic FC
• Best Club Media Relations – Motherwell FC
• Best Community Initiative – St Mirren FC
• SPL Family Champions – St Mirren FC

Motherwell FC are pleased to announce prices for this Sunday’s SPL finale with Dundee United at Fir Park have been reduced to just £5.

The Steelmen take on Peter Houston’s men in the last game of what has been an incredible season; third place having been tied up last midweek.

Dundee United have themselves had a fantastic season and confirmed their place in next season’s Europa League with a fine win over Celtic at Tannadice last Sunday.

Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said, “We are keen to try and make Fir Park as busy, colourful and as noisy as possible for the last game of this campaign.

“It has been an exceptional season and the players deserve a great send-off before the summer break. We’ve had some exciting games against Dundee United this season and I am sure Sunday will be the same.

“We would encourage every Motherwell, and Dundee Utd, fan to come along and enjoy the last game before the summer.”

Prices have been set at £5 for everyone in all four stands. Fans who have already pre-purchased tickets at full price should contact the Ticket Office to receive the appropriate refund.

The Motherwell Matchday Experience ended in a battling 3-2 victory for the Stevie Kirk led ‘Away’ team.

Both teams took to the field to the haunting tone of the Champions League theme booming from the Fir Park PA system.

The opening stages were frantic as both teams traded possession and put together neat patterns of play. However, it would be the vibrant and clever attack of the ‘Away’ side that would draw first blood.

Gareth Kerr found space on the left and following some nifty footwork to beat his marker, he cut the ball across the face of goal. Substitute James Thewliss took a quick touch to control before teeing up Fraser Anderson who was left with time and space to pick his spot and swept home from just inside the eighteen-yard box.

The ‘Away’ side were setting the pace but were living dangerously at the back with the long direct ball over the top causing problems.

However, it was a move of some quality that would bring the Claret and Amber side level just before the half-hour. Jonathan Warnock collected on the half-way line and immediately opened the game up with a neat cross-field pass to the waiting Phil Speedie. The left full-back held on to the ball for just the right amount of time before releasing Warnock, who had kept his run going, down the flank.

The forward threw over a brilliant first-time cross towards the centre of the box where Ian Buchanan was lurking. The veteran kept his composure to shift the ball away from Alistair Logan and on to his favoured right foot before drilling it low past the helpless Allan Burton; his fifth goal in five Fir Park matches dating back to the old Football Aid days.

Buchanan celebrated with Scott Leitch on the touchline but the joy was short-lived as the visitors immediately regained the advantage. Davie Tonner and Kerr got the game underway and the former casually strolled forward towards the edge of the centre-circle before sliding in his strike-partner who incredibly found himself in on goal.

His first touch took him away from the covering defenders; his second was to lash the ball under Martin Whiteside for 2-1.

Just before the interval, the silvers side made it three. Tonner and Stuart Reilly combined on the right flank and when the ball eventually made its way back to the striker, his thundering effort came back off the underside of the crossbar with Whiteside at full stretch.

Kerr was sharpest to the rebound and nipped in ahead of Jack Reid to head the ball into an unguarded net for his second of the afternoon.

3-1 at the interval and Stevie Kirk’s men looked well on top. But the second half was a much more even affair with the ‘Home’ side stroking it about with some degree of confidence.

With twenty minutes left on the clock things got interesting when referee Scott Jamieson awarded the hosts a controversial penalty. Goalscorer Buchanan picked up the ball deep on the left and his through-pass was inch-perfect for the onrushing Jory Robertson. Before he could get to the ball, he tumbled to the ground with Captain Finlay Ferguson in close attendance.

Contact looked minimal but the official, who was right up with play, pointed to the spot. There were wild protests from the home side, led by Ferguson, but the referee was having none of it. Robertson and Buchanan were both keen to take the kick but the youngster eventually placed it on the spot.

His low effort was brilliantly saved by Burton low to his right but he was helpless to stop the rebounded shot which Robertson coolly dinked in from closer range with some aplomb.

It was a hectic finish to the game with both sides trading chances but it finished 3-2 to the ‘Away’ side with both teams warmly applauded off the park by the 207 fans in the Phil O’Donnell Stand.

Home: Whiteside, N. MacLeod, A. MacLeod, Reid, McEwan, Johnston, Ramage, Brazil, Warnock, Wilson, Muir, Speedie, Robertson, Buchanan

Goals: Buchanan (29), Robertson (71)

Away: Burton, A. Reilly, Bruce, Logan, Ferguson, Anderson, Williamson, S. Reilly, Tonner, Graham, Kerr, Thewliss, Palmer, Lynch

Goals: Anderson (14), Kerr (30) (42)

Referee: Scott Jamieson
Attendance: 207

-WATCH THE GOALS FLY IN ON MFC TV-

Stuart McCall was pleased with how ‘Well played this afternoon but was left ruing missed that could have handed the Steelmen the win.

The Claret and Amber men played with the swagger of a side who had just confirmed third place in the SPL table.

Four really decent chances came and went but Motherwell failed to capitalise and missed out on the chance to take all three points at Ibrox exactly fifteen years to the day since Motherwell last won in Govan.

“I was pleased with the performance in general,” said McCall.

“We asked the lads to go out and pass the ball and keep it moving. To get two clean sheets back to back at Tynecastle and here is obviously another plus point.

“We wanted them to go out and show everyone why we have been the best of the rest and that we can come here and put in a performance. We’ve had some hugely disappointing performances here and I’m pleased with not only the work ethic, but the shape we had and everything about it.

“We made opportunities and ended up picking the wrong option. We played some good football down the sides and Henrik and Jamie linked up well. I’ve not seen it again but it looks as though Henrik could have shot but having said that if the weight of the pass to Murphy is better, it’s a tap-in. In the second half we’ve had two or three great chances. Chris has shot wide when he had a good opportunity.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV-

Veteran midfielder Keith Lasley was proud of his Motherwell teammates after playing a pivotal role in the Steelmen’s credible draw at Ibrox today.

The Fir Parkers more than held their own and created numerous chances to get in front throughout the ninety minutes.

But the match finished all square and the 32-year old insists ‘Well can be pleased with their afternoon’s work.

He told MFC TV: “Our possession of the ball was particularly good today and with that we created some good chances. Any time you come here and get a draw, especially with our recent record here, it’s a good result but maybe we could have nicked it.

“We didn’t want to go out with a whimper, if you like, after achieving third spot  which is a great achievement for us but we had our supporters here as well to entertain today that have paid good money to come and watch us as they have done all season. Even for ourselves, we want to show people why we are third.

“I think getting a point from here came from a combination of confidence and maybe being a bit more relaxed on the ball from clinching third place midweek.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

Pictures from the 0-0 draw with Rangers in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Ibrox.

These action shots and more are available to buy online at www.motherwellpics.com.

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