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The ‘Well Society is having another sign-up / renewal night in the Centenary Suite this March.

The Society was handed over to the fans in October 2012 with the purpose of growing the membership to a point where the fans could take over the ownership of the club.

The Society already has two members appointed to the Board of Directors of Motherwell FC, and as the stake in the club grows, so will the number of Director places available to the Society. This will grow until they take majority control of the club.

Recently, Motherwell Chief Executive Leeann Dempster announced a change in the membership system, allowing for monthly subscriptions for a minimum of £10 per month.

In light of that, the Society will host an open night, on Monday 3rd March in the Centenary Suite (starting at 6pm), allowing anyone interested to sign up. Those members who joined a year ago will also be able to renew their membership for the next year.

A number of the First Team squad will be on hand to sign autographs and have their photos taken.

Membership levels are available as follows;

• Junior Steel Membership – £25 (for juveniles under 15)
• Steel Membership – £300
• Claret Membership – £1000
• Amber Membership – £5000
• 1886 Membership – £25000

There are a number of benefits which are accrued by each membership level. For more information on the ‘Well Society – CLICK HERE.

Motherwell Under 20s return to action this Wednesday when they take on Aberdeen at Arbroath’s Gayfield Park.

Jonatan Johansson’s men will have gone two weeks without a game after the midweek match with Rangers fell foul to the wet weather.

Despite having no match, the young Steelmen remained in fourth spot in the table, six points behind leaders Celtic.

The Dons did play, drawing 1-1 with Partick Thistle at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium.

The teams last met at Fir Park back in October with the Claret and Amber men running out 3-0 winners.

The match will be played at Arbroath FC’s Gayfield Park, kick-off is 1pm.

>> UNDER 20s FIXTURES & RESULTS

Motherwell’s match with Hibs at Easter Road, scheduled for Wednesday 26th March, will now go ahead on Saturday 8th March.

The game has been switched from midweek to a Saturday after both clubs were left with a free weekend on the 8th – kick-off is 3pm.

That will be the only away match in March with Hearts (1st), Inverness CT (19th), Ross County (22nd) and Kilmarnock (29th) all taking place at Fir Park in what is a busy month leading up to the split.

>> UPDATED FIXTURE LIST

Extended highlights from Tannadice as a below-par ‘Well go down 3-1 to Dundee United.

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Action pictures from the 3-1 defeat by Dundee Utd at Tannadice in the SPFL Premiership.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

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Stuart McCall set aside complaints about the official and instead bemoaned his side’s defending after the 3-1 defeat at Tannadice.

‘Well fans will have left Tayside feeling a little hard done to about a number of decisions that didn’t go the visitors way, but that didn’t interest the Fir Park boss, who was much more agitated by his team’s showing.

Dundee United merited their win in what was a below par performance from the Steelmen, particularly in the first-half.

And McCall wasn’t in the mood to mince his words when he spoke to MFC TV after the match.

“We absolutely cannot afford to give a side as good as Dundee United a two-goal start and that’s exactly what we did,” he said.

[pullquote]We absolutely cannot afford to give a side as good as Dundee United a two-goal start and that’s exactly what we did.[/pullquote]

“It was a basic error from Hutchy (Shaun Hutchinson), but he doesn’t need me or anyone else to tell him that, it can happen in football.

“The second goal’s an even bigger disappointment, we work hard on set pieces and it was a really sloppy goal to lose.

“There were a few harsh words said at half time and to be fair, the lads showed a bit of character in the second half, particularly after losing a goal to a big deflection.

“We got a goal back and at that stage, if there were any more goals to be had, I thought it would be us.

“It wasn’t to be though. We’ll quickly pick ourselves up and get ready for another hard match at St Johnstone this Tuesday.”

-WATCH STUART’S INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

[tab:Match report]

 Gavin McCafferty at Tannadice

Former ‘Well defender Gavin Gunning returned to haunt his old club with two goals for United in their 3-1 win at Tannadice.

Ryan Dow opened the scoring at Tannadice, before Gunning – sidelined in recent weeks by a knee injury – netted either side of the interval.

Although John Sutton pulled a goal back from the penalty spot, United held on for the three points.

Jackie McNamara’s side were the better team on the night and deserved to record a third successive win against Stuart McCall’s men – but the visitors can certainly feel aggrieved at a number of calls that didn’t go their way.

The hosts were first to threaten when they carved out a genuine scoring opportunity inside five minutes.

Keith Watson’s cross from deep was met by midfielder John Rankin, who let fly but saw his effort go narrowly past Well goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen’s far post.

United made the breakthrough in the 22nd minute after Shaun Hutchinson’s attempted back pass from midway inside his own half fell short. Dow wasted no time in picking up possession and homing in on goal, before steadying himself sufficiently to sweep a shot past Nielsen and into the far corner from 12 yards.

The ‘Well players surrounded Bobby Madden, convinced of a push on Carswell in the build-up, but there was nothing doing from the official.

It was not until the end of the first half that the visitors were evident in an attacking sense, with Radoslaw Cierzniak being forced into his first save in 35 minutes.

Sutton caused some problems with his physical presence inside the United penalty area as he helped the ball onto Iain Vigurs. The former Ross County midfielder’s point-blank shot with his left-foot looked net bound until Cierzniak instinctively palmed it away.

The home side increased their lead in in the 42nd minute and again ‘Well were unhappy with the referee. Dow’s corner was head-flicked on by Nadir Çiftçi, who looked to have manhandled Stevie Hammell, for Gunning was lurking at the far post to stab the ball over the line. Again, nothing doing from Madden.

United were in the ascendency and deserved their lead but ‘Well would again have cause for grievance when Gunning barged Iain Vigurs inside the box. It looked a pretty clear spot kick, but the claims were waved away.

Things were to get worse for the visitors at the start of the second half when they found themselves trailing further.

Vigurs brought down Çiftçi 25 yards from goal and Gunning had only one thing on his mind as he tried his luck from 25 yards, and was fortunate to see his effort take a big deflection off James McFadden before finding the far corner of Nielsen’s net.

There appeared no way back for the Lanarkshire club but things changed somewhat when they were awarded a 56th minute penalty.

Çiftçi was penalised for handball from James McFadden’s free-kick and Sutton sent Cierzniak the wrong way from the spot to reduce the deficit to 3-1.

That goal served to give the visitors some fresh hope, although United had the chance to reinforce their lead on the hour mark but Armstrong could not keep his shot down from 12 yards.

The home defence came under some pressure towards the end, although Gary Mackay-Steven could have sealed things with 10 minutes remaining, only for Nielsen to foil his low shot from ten yards.

There was another claim for a penalty late in the game when Gunning appeared to handle the ball away from substitute Henri Anier, but it wasn’t spotted and the game soon ended, with the home side running out deserved winners despite Motherwell’s improved showing in the second forty-five.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at Tannadice

FT: Dundee Utd 3 – 1 Motherwell #DUFCvMFC

3 minutes added on #DUFCvMFC

88mins: Dundee Utd sub, Armstrong off for Connolly #DUFCvMFC

86mins: Great little interchange of passes there by McFadden and Lasley then Anier to get a ball in for Francis-Angol. Utd clear, though

85mins: McFadden’s long throw into the box causes some uncertainties but it just won’t fall to a ‘Well player. Chance gone #DUFCvMFC

82mins: Good stop from Nielsen to deny Armstong at his near post. #DUFCvMFC

78mins: Reid wins ‘Well a corner…. McFadden’s delivery is gathered again by Cierzniak #DUFCvMFC

77mins: Dundee Utd sub, Dow off for El Alagui #DUFCvMFC

76mins: Motherwell sub, Anier on for Vigurs #DUFCvMFC

72mins: Ciftci can only find the sidenetting after bursting into the box #DUFCvMFC

70mins: Corner to ‘Well……Vigurs’ delivery is gathered by Cierzniak #DUFCvMFC

65mins: Motherwell sub, Ainsworth off for Reid #DUFCvMFC

Looked like handball? Either way, Sutton has the chance to pull one back…. GOAL! #DUFCvMFC

54mins: Another free-kick in a good area… McFadden…PENALTY! #DUFCvMFC

50mins: Free-kick to ‘Well in a great position 23 yards out. Sutton plays it square to Ainsworth who shoots straight at Cierzniak #DUFCvMFC

49mins: Corner to Utd…..falls to Rankin who blazes over just inside the box #DUFCvMFC

46mins: GOAL- Gunning makes it 3-0 with a low free-kick #DUFCvMFC

HT: Dundee Utd 2 – 0 Motherwell

1 minute added on #DUFCvMFC

41mins: GOAL – Gunning makes it 2-0 with a close range tap-in from a corner #DUFCvMFC

35mins: Should have been the equaliser but for Cierzniak with a great stop to deny Vigurs from close range after Sutton’s knockdown #DUFCvMFC

33mins: Bit of a half-chance for Vigurs. Spun in the box but on his weaker foot, can only drag it well wide #DUFCvMFC

31mins: Corner to ‘Well……..Madden judges McManus pushed his man at the back post and blows the whistle #DUFCvMFC

30mins: United are well on top here. Not able to get the ball and keep some possession #DUFCvMFC

20mins: GOAL! – Dow makes it 1-0 after Hutchinson’s backpass is short leaving him plenty of time to slot past Nielsen #DUFCvMFC

20mins: Corner to Motherwell……..Cierzniak gathers the delivery with ease #DUFCvMFC

18mins: Fantastic last-ditch tackle from Francis-Angol to deny what looked like was going to be a certain goal! #DUFCvMFC

10mins: Cifcti gets past Hammell who brings him down to concede a FK. Delivery is headed clear to Rankin who volleys well over #DUFCvMFC

8mins: Close again for Utd. This time it’s Robertson who shoots from 20 yards out, just past the post. #DUFCvMFC

5mins: CLOSE! Rankin pulls his shot from just inside the box inches past Nielsen’s left post #DUFCvMFC

3mins: Sutton was always stretching to reach Ainsworth’s delivery and can only poke it wide #DUFCvMFC

..Vigurs’ effort is headed over for the first corner of the game #DUFCvMFC

2mins: Free-kick won by McFadden, about 25 yards out……

Lasley and Carswell get the game underway #DUFCvMFC #CYW

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“We were very disappointed with the way we lost the first two goals. They were poor and sloppy ones to lose.

“But we showed lots of guts ands character to come back into things. I know the character is there to come back from this setback.”

Dundee Utd manager Jackie McNamara:

“The first half was about as good as it gets. We were excellent throughout.

“We moved the ball well and had good energy which brought enough chances to put the game to bed.

“It’s another hard match against Hibernian next week but let’s hope it’s another good Friday night result for us.

“If we can play like that then we’ll win more games than we lose or draw.

“I thought in the second half it was horrible, a bit stop-start with lots of free-kicks. The penalty gave them a bit of a lift in the second half but we were worthy winners.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Motherwell FC is pleased to announce the signing of former Celtic and Morton right-back Craig Reid.

Reid, 27, spent time at the club during the summer and was part of the pre-season trip to Spain. He also played 90 minutes against Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium, turning in a solid performance.

A deal looked likely, but Stephen McManus’ decision to choose Motherwell over Hibs meant there was no budget to bring the Irvine-born defender to Fir Park on a permanent basis at that time.

The former Scotland Youth International, who has experience playing European football with Queen of the South against FC Nordsjælland back in 2008, spent time on trial down south, but signed a short-term deal with his pervious club Morton that finished in late January.

[pullquote]I am delighted to be here, it’s great to have finally signed. I came in during the summer and I am familiar with the place, the boys and the management here.[/pullquote]

And with Motherwell in the midst of an injury crisis, Reid’s addition to the end of the current season provides a welcome and timely boost to Stuart McCall’s squad.

Speaking exclusively to MFC TV, Reid, who goes straight into the squad for tonight’s game at Tannadice, said: “I am delighted to be here, it’s great to have finally signed.

“I came in during the summer and I am familiar with the place, the boys and the management here.

“I was disappointed things didn’t work out in the summer as I really wanted to come here, but Stuart McCall was always honest with me and I understood and appreciated that.

“I am here now though, I feel fit and I am looking forward to getting to started.”

-WATCH CRAIG’S FIRST INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-–