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Motherwell FC are offering fans the chance to get more involved during matchdays at Fir Park.

Ever wanted to choose the tunes before the big game or get your views on the scoreboard?

Well now you can as we continue to make our matchdays more interactive at Fir Park.

From this weekend against Hearts, we’ll be giving you the chance to choose the songs you want to hear as we countdown to the big kick off.

All you need to do is choose your favourite five terracing anthems and send them alongside your name, where you’ll be watching the game from and why you’ve chosen your top five to announcer@motherwellfc.co.uk.

We’ll play your choices out 30 minutes before kick-off at every game for the rest of the season. Whilst the Steelmen Matchday Magazine covers stars will have their chance to choose the ‘Player’s Playlist’ which we will play out before the game.

And that’s not all…

Following a successful trial in the game against Ross County last month, we’re giving you the chance to get your views on the day’s game broadcast.

Get yourself on twitter using the hashtag #mfcmatchday in the run up to and during the game and we’ll display the best on the scoreboard.

North Lanarkshire’s Cultural Festival ‘Encounters’ comes to Fir Park this Thursday with a debate on Scottish Football.

The programme for North Lanarkshire’s cultural festival ‘Encounters’ includes music, drama, dance, author talks, film, creative workshops & visual art throughout the whole month of October, and has a variety of things for kids and adults to take part in during the whole month, including the holidays.

This Thursday in the Centenary Suite, the debate is around the fall and rise of Scottish Football.

The “Beautiful Game” is arguably in an unprecedented era of change at present.

We are facing issues such as the financial implosion of major clubs, contentious reconstruction of the Scottish league system, introduction of a pyramid system and legislation criminalising the behaviour of supporters. These are all white-hot topics of debate among fans and the media alike.

Where will this tumultuous period take our national game? Will more teams fall into financial meltdown? Is the Scottish game now in terminal decline, or will it emerge from the ashes to be stronger, able to compete once again on an international scale?

Join our panel as we examine the current state of Scottish football and what we as fans can do to change it.

The hugely popular journalist and presenter Tam Cowan will chair the discussion, with the following members also confirmed: Stevie Kirk (Motherwell FC legend), Dr. Stuart Waiton (author of “Snob’s Law: Criminalising Football Fans in an Age of Intolerance”) and Alan Burrows (Media and Press Manager, Motherwell FC).

Tickets are free of charge – pre booking is available via the contact box on the NLC website: CLICK HERE.

Hearts visit Fir Park on Saturday 19th October and we are putting on a fantastic lunch menu in our hospitality suites.

It’s a Saturday and it’s a 3pm kick off so an idea opportunity to combine a lovely afternoon meal with a game.

We’re already almost full up, there are only a few spaces left available, so the atmosphere promises to be electric.

We will be serving:

• Leek and Potato Soup, Served with Crusty Bread Rolls
• Roast Chicken wrapped in Bacon, served with Selection of Vegetables.
• Chocolate Fudge Cake served with Whipped Cream
• Freshly Brewed Coffee/Tea and Mints

All hospitality packages include your match ticket, programme, team sheet and half time tea.

Former players will host the afternoon with your chance to meet first team players and club staff whilst enjoying your afternoon.

You have a choice of three packages:

• Centenary Claret: Arriving at 1pm prompt for meal. Full service with access to a pay bar till kick off and then again for an hour post match. All this in the comfort of our Centenary Lounge. Book now from only £60 for an adult and £45 for a child under 16.
• Centenary Amber: Arriving at 1pm prompt for meal. Full table service with complimentary bar and then again for an hour post match. All this in the comfort of our Centenary Lounge. Book now from only £99 for an adult and £55 for a child under 16.
• Millennium Ticket: Enjoy a lighter bite with a complimentary bar for one-hour pre & post. Soup pre-match and half time refreshments, team sheet, match day programme for only £70 for an adult and £35 for a child.

Remember, Season Ticket holders can upgrade to hospitality for just £25.

If you would like to book a place at our fantastic Hospitality Lunch, you can do so online by CLICKING HERE.

Alternatively, please phone Jennifer Reston on 01698 338 008 or email jennifer.reston@motherwellfc.co.uk..

Before kick-off this weekend, clubs playing at every Premiership match will be united in calling for an end to racism & sectarianism in football and in society.

The 2013 Fortnight of Action will again make a stand against both racism and sectarianism. We believe that it is vital to highlight the anti-sectarian message as well as the anti-racism message at this time, especially when recent incidents have once again highlighted the problems of racism and sectarianism within our communities.

All professional clubs will take a stand against both racism and sectarianism at a home game during the fortnight. We have developed the ways in which the clubs are able to take action to make it the biggest and most high profile fortnight so far.

At every Scottish Professional Football League fixture this weekend, all clubs will be united in calling for an end to racism and sectarianism in football and in society. Players in over 40 European countries are involved in similar events as part of the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network against racism and discrimination.

Show Racism the Red Card has received excellent support from football clubs, football authorities and football fans the length and breadth of Scotland and we would like to thank you for this.

It has not been without its challenges though and we urge fans to continue to support the anti-racism and anti-sectarianism messages.

We have heard of many instances where real supporters are proactive in promoting the anti-racism and anti-sectarianism messages in and around their club, making it clear that racist / sectarian fans are not welcome at their club.

Neil Doncaster, Chief Executive of the SPFL, said: “Football is a powerful medium to break down barriers and promote tolerance. Our clubs have supported Show Racism the Red Card since season 2003/04 and once again, this united action in support of the campaign sends out the positive message that football is a game to be enjoyed by all.”

Keith Lasley, Motherwell Captain and the clubs’ Fortnight of Action Ambassador said: “Everyone at Motherwell Football Club is committed to football as an enjoyable experience for all, regardless of race, ethnic or religious background, and condemn racial and religious discrimination in football and society.”

The campaign will continue to speak to all football clubs, the football authorities and the police to eradicate all forms of racist and sectarian behaviour.

The SPFL and its clubs deplore all forms of racism and sectarianism and any racist or sectarian behaviour will not be tolerated at Scottish Professional Football League fixtures.

Here’s a brief outline of what’s taking place during the Fortnight of Action this year:

• Anti-racist / anti-sectarian football festivals and projects across Scotland.
• Show Racism the Red Card actions at Scottish Professional Football League, Scottish Women’s Premier League and Scottish Women’s Football League fixtures.
• ‘Unite Against Racism’ actions at UEFA Champions League fixtures.
• Educational workshops in schools and community groups across Scotland.

However, the Show Racism the Red Card message will continue to be heard long after the fortnight. Through educational workshops and football coaching, their dedicated team of ex-professional footballers and education staff worked with 13,369 young people last year to encourage them to reject racist and sectarian ideas.

Through partnerships with Scottish Government, local authorities, football clubs and trade unions this work will continue throughout season 2013/4.

Football is a sport that is followed by people across the world, and football matches should be an enjoyable experience for all, whatever their racial or religious background. We all have a part to play in stamping out racism and sectarianism in football and society.

If you see or hear racism or sectarianism at any level of football, please report it to stewards or police. Our website also includes updates on Fortnight of Action events and more information on the “Show Racism the Red Card” campaign in Scotland.

www.theredcardscotland.org.

Show your support for tackling racism and sectarianism:

Follow us on twitter: @SRtRCScotland.

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/theRedCardScotland.

Leeann Dempster has been chosen to sit on the European Club Association (ECA)’s Marketing & Communications Working Group.

The Motherwell Chief Executive, who has been in post at Fir Park for five years, will join representatives from the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Man Utd, Arsenal, Juvenutus, AC Milan, Feyenoord and Galatasaray on the 22-person committee.

The Steelmen were invited to join the ECA after consistent qualification for European football between 2008 and 2013 and join Celtic, Rangers, Hearts and Aberdeen from the SPFL.

The club was quickly promoted from associate to ‘ordinary’ membership, alongside Celtic as one of only two Scottish clubs with voting rights.

The ECA is the sole, independent body directly representing football clubs at European level. It replaced the G14 Group and the European Club Forum, both dissolved at the beginning of 2008. ECA was fully recognized by UEFA and FIFA in a formal memorandum of understanding, which was signed in January 2008.

Chaired by Sandro Rossell of Barcelona, the Marketing & Communication Working Group oversees issues on club football marketing, communication and promotion, and aims to define a coherent and up-to-date strategy around commercial opportunities.

Leeann commented: “I am really delighted and honoured to be asked onto the committee and look forward to working alongside my colleagues from some of the top clubs around Europe.

“It’s an area where I’ve had experience, not only in football, but other industries and I hope to play a part over the next membership cycle.

“I hope my involvement will prove beneficial both to the ECA and obviously to Motherwell FC.”

Motherwell FC will again be offering young people between the ages of 6 and 12 the opportunity to experience life as a professional footballer.

The Academy Experience programme returns during the up-coming October Week Holiday period.

The Experience is a week-long intensive programme which will replicate the coaching received by professional players, and will include training sessions with members of the first team squad and coaching staff and a training session on Fir Park.

Comprehensive coaching will include game awareness, technique development, balance, creativity, and nutrition. Academy Experience is designed to take young players to the next level of performance, and to instil in them the skills and confidence they require to develop their potential.

Coaching will be delivered by our highly-qualified SFA accredited coaches, and the young people will be rubbing shoulders with the first team professionals and youth squads. Participants will also be presented with a certificate signed by Motherwell Manager, and former Scotland star, Stuart McCall.

The five-day programme – 14th-18th October – costs just £55. Players should bring their own packed lunch, and appropriate footwear and clothing – and a change to allow for inclement weather.

To book please call the Community Trust on 01698 239 926 or online at www.motherwellsoccerschools.com.

Also running during the October Week is the introduction of Mini Steelkids Morning Sessions which is aimed at children between the ages of 3-5 years.

Our Mini Steelkids programme is our most prized asset & probably yours too! The sessions are extremely popular within the local community with all centres almost full to capacity.

The sessions will take place for 2 hours between 10am-12pm and will aim to give children a good physical and social foundation to start both football and general sports skill training.

The coaching is very much focused on creating a child who is motivated, confident and has a positive attitude towards football and physical activity.

To book please call the Community Trust on 01698 239926 or online at www.motherwellsoccerschools.com

Highlights from tonight’s Under 20’s clash against Aberdeen at Fir Park where the young Steelmen ran out emphatic 3-0 winners.

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Jonatan Johansson spoke of his satisfaction as the Under 20s extended their winning run to four matches.

The young Steelmen haven’t lost for a month and have recorded consecutive wins over St Mirren, East Fife, Rangers and now the Dons.

His side have scored ten and conceded just one in that run, a deflected David Templeton free-kick, which has seen the Fir Parkers jump from fifteenth to fifth in the SPFL Under 20s table and progress into the Third Round of the SFA Youth Cup.

Tonight’s empathic win over the Dons highlighted the improvements in his side and the 106-times capped former Finnish International praised his players for their attitude and desire in the last four weeks.

[pullquote]We are getting away from the youth football mentality and starting to play a bit more like men.[/pullquote]

He told MFC TV: I’m delighted and thought it was a really good game which I enjoyed watching.

“It was a great start to the game with Dom (Thomas) pressing well and releasing Moore who had a good first touch and did well to stay on his feet to score.

“In the second half we scored early as well and that all comes from if you play as a team and support each other, you’ll get a little bit of luck.

“When we were losing games at the start of the season it was because of mistakes and sloppiness in defence. We have worked hard on that and managed to cut it out.

“I always knew we were a good side on the ball and even when we were losing, we were scoring goals so that was never really a concern. We are getting away from the youth football mentality and starting to play a bit more like men.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–