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Motherwell FC has today (Friday) completed the signing of James McFadden on a short-term deal until the end of January.

The 32-year old front man, capped 48 times for Scotland, makes an emotional return to the club where it all began for a third spell in Claret and Amber.

He was a graduate of Motherwell’s Elite Academy, making his debut in 2000, and enjoyed three very successful years before joining English Premiership side Everton for a fee that eventually rose to around £1.8m.

‘Faddy’ became a Scottish football icon for his exploits with the National team, but always retained a close affinity with the Steelmen.

A subsequent £5m move to Birmingham followed in 2008 and he was three years at St Andrews before brief spells back in the Premiership with Everton and Sunderland.

He returned home to Fir Park in February of 2013, recapturing some of his early career form, helping the club finish second in the last ever SPL.

He stayed on for another year, and Motherwell again finished league runners-up in the new SPFL Premiership, with 22 wins from 38 games, but left at the end of the campaign.

A year at St Johnstone followed, but after leaving McDiarmid Park in the summer, the ‘Well legend has been training with the Steelmen for several months.

His performances at Dalziel Park and his fitness levels have prompted Mark McGhee to offer him a short-term deal, which will expire at the end of January.

[pullquote]I am delighted to be back, the club has always had a special place in my heart and I’ve always had a close bond with the supporters.[/pullquote]

Speaking to MFC TV, McFadden, who will wear the number 24 jersey and is available for tomorrow’s match at Celtic Park, said: “I am delighted to be back, the club has always had a special place in my heart and I’ve always had a close bond with the supporters.

“I’ve been training hard, feel fit and I’ve attended almost every game this season and I really believe I can help out. From my point of view, it obviously helps me get some game time.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with the manager here. Although I’ve never previously worked with him, it’s clear he’s a straight shooter and he’s not one for sentiment, so this is about what I can contribute on and off the park when I am here.

“I feel fit, I’m ready to go if selected and I just cannot wait to get started again.”

‘Well boss Mark McGhee added: “Faddy has performed superbly well in training and deserves a chance here.

“It’s fair to say he’s not doing this for the money, purely a love of the game and a desire to help.

“I see him as a great character to have about the club, he’s a winner, he passionately cares about how this club performs and that sort of enthusiasm will, I think, help inspire some of the youngsters about him.

“We’ve made no secret of the fact we plan to accelerate young talent into the side, but to do that, you also need good experienced pros who can help them on and off the park. We have that, and James is another who can help us on our journey, even if it is only for the short-term.”

Stevie Hammell reckons Motherwell’s future lies with promoting more youngsters like Ben Hall.

The left back came through the club’s Academy and was thrown in at the deep end himself as a 18-year old back in 2000.

He kept his place and has since gone on to make over 500 appearances in Claret and Amber, as he closes in on Joe Wark’s Post War record.

And the former Scotland International, who himself manages the Motherwell Under 15s, not only believes in the philosophy the club is moving towards, but is excited by some of the talent bubbling under the surface.

Asked by the Broadcast press if he felt defender Hall should keep his place in the team for the trip to Celtic, the 33-year old said: “It’s up to the manager who he picks, but I would agree he (Ben) was excellent.

“I will say that having worked with the young boys here at the club, there’s a lot more of them coming through too.

[pullquote]It’s great to have that competition within the squad and now, with hopefully four or five younger lads ready to challenge and put pressure on, that’ll be even more felt.[/pullquote]

“The battle for the youngsters is to try and get that consistency in their game. We’re lucky to have a good group at the moment, there are no attitudes within that Under 20s dressing room, and they’re willing to learn.

“For me, you can see there will be a lot from that group who will make the step up over the next year or so.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s match at Celtic Park, the veteran is pumped by the challenge of squaring off against the league leaders.

Hammell was involved the last time Motherwell picked up three points in Glasgow’s East End, and he wants the current squad to go there looking to take something from the match.

“It’s a tough one, but it’s a game you should relish and look forward to,” he continued.

“It’s probably the toughest fixture in the calendar, but it’s one you should also enjoy.

“If we play well as individuals and as a team then hopefully we can come away with a good result.”

Extended highlights from Excelsior Stadium as a late Dundee equaliser holds ‘Well to a 1-1 draw in the SPFL Development League.

U20s boss Stephen Craigan was left to rue missed chances as his Motherwell side were held to a 1-1 draw with Dundee this evening.

The Steelmen passed up a plethora of chances before finally getting their noses in front via Dylan Mackin after 73 minutes.

Even after they went ahead, Craigan’s men missed more chances to put the game to bed, and were ultimately punished with just ninety seconds left of play when Josh Skelly levelled.

Craigan, visibly disappointed, couldn’t quite believe his side hadn’t taken maximum points.

[pullquote]On the basis of play and the chances we created, we should have won the match fairly comfortably.[/pullquote]

He told MFC TV after the match: “We’ve perhaps been hard on ourselves in the past for not creating enough chances, but tonight was all about not being clinical enough.

“Clinical is a word I use an awful lot; clinical in their box, clinical in our own box and we probably didn’t do either well enough tonight.

We missed so many chances, then gave a soft goal away at the other end.

“It was obviously disappointing in terms of the result, but performance wise was good.

“On the basis of play and the chances we created, we should have won the match fairly comfortably.”

Despite creating numerous chances, a late Dundee equaliser forced ‘Well Under 20s to settle for a 1-1 draw at the Excelsior Stadium.

The Steelmen had gone ahead when Dylan Mackin forced the ball over the line from close range.

Stephen Craigan’s side had created numerous chances both before and after that strike, but failed to take any of them.

And when Josh Skelly levelled things up with two minutes left on the clock, it left ‘Well kicking themselves at dropping two points.

The Fir Parkers were able to name several experienced players in the side, including Craig Samson, Louis Laing and Wes Fletcher.

David Ferguson, Luke Watt, Chris Cadden, Dom Thomas and Dylan Mackin could also count on first-team experience.

Motherwell started the game positively and after a couple of half chances for Fletcher, Laing could and perhaps should have opened the scoring after nine minutes. The former Sunderland and Notts Forest defender got on the end of a Thomas corner, only to prod a shot straight at Kyle Gourlay.

Shortly after, Gourlay was again in action, saving from Wes Fletcher before Watt shot wide and Thomas curled over. Fletcher had another turn and shot saved by the visitor’s goalkeeper as ‘Well continued to push.

It took until the 25th minute for Dundee to register a shot at goal, but Sam Dryden’s long-range hit flew high over the bar.

John Black went much closer just sixty seconds later though, when his half volley was expertly turned around the post by Samson. From the resulting corner, Kerr Waddell’s cross found Aussie midfielder Jesse Curran, but his header was straight at the ‘Well stopper.

Motherwell were soon back on the attack though and again it was Fletcher, this time played in by Cadden, only to pull a low effort inches wide of the far post.

Dundee were still in the hunt though and had their second free header with the space of seven minutes, but Waddell could only flash it wide from the penalty spot.

Just before the break, Cadden turned terrifically well inside the area only to watch as Gourlay palmed out his low cross. The rebounded landed at David Ferguson, but he dragged a low shot off target.

Much like their first-team counterparts last weekend, Dundee came out the traps at the second half, and Samson had to again look smart to deny Black, this time palming a low shot wide for a corner.

Motherwell continued to look the more threatening of the two teams though and half time sub Allan Campbell flashed a volley at goal, only for it to deflect wide on route. When the corner came across, it fell fortuitously for Robbie Leitch, but Gourlay was on hand to comfortably stop his low shot.

After missing a couple of chances, Fletcher turned provider on the 70th minute, running the channel before cutting it back for Mackin on the edge, only for his shot to be again blocked by the stubborn Dee rear-guard.

Three minutes later, it was again Fletcher who passed up a chance to score, combining well with the vibrant Dom Thomas before smashing it over from six yards out.

However, it wasn’t long before ‘Well finally got the goal their chances merited. Sub David Turnbull, who had come on for Leitch, burst clear down the right before sending a low ball into the area. Fletcher picked up, but his shot was blocked, spinning towards Dylan Mackin who took a touch before thumping home his seventh of the campaign.

With eight minutes left on the clock, Motherwell passed up a glorious chance to secure the three points. Fletcher burst away from his marker on the left, leaving the Dundee defence in his wake. Cutting in, he had Thomas, unmarked, screaming for a square ball, but the former York man took it on himself with Gourlay blocking with his legs.

Three minutes later, Thomas almost netted after a brilliant solo run, but could only fire over the crossbar from about 20 yards out.

And Motherwell would be made pay for all those missed chances when Dundee levelled things up with just two minutes left on the clock. Skelly collected down the right flank, leaving him one on one with Maguire. After wriggling clear, cutting in on his left foot, he smashed it hard past Samson to rescue a point for his side.

Motherwell: Samson, McMillan (Livingstone – 46mins), Maguire, Laing, Ferguson, Watt (Campbell- 46mins), Cadden, R. Leitch (Turnbull – 66mins), Thomas, Fletcher, Mackin

Subs: Morrison, Moore, Hastie, Falconer

Motherwell U20s are back in action tonight (Wednesday) when they take on Dundee at the Excelsior Stadium.

After last week’s postponement, Stephen Craigan’s men will be looking to build on their previous form, a 2-0 win over Partick Thistle and a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock in the Youth Cup.

Dundee sit bottom of the table but are only 4 points off the Steelmen, after a good win last week against high-flying St Mirren.

The match will take place at the Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie, with kick-off at 6pm.

Stars from the first team squad visited the Children’s Ward at Wishaw General Hospital this afternoon.

Scott McDonald, Louis Moult and Liam Grimshaw visited Ward 20 and gave out Motherwell FC goody bags, which were kindly donated by the MFC Community Trust and The Well Shop, spreading some Christmas cheer to the young kids.

Motherwell FC would like to thank the hospital’s staff, who do a wonderful job and are an inspiration to all.

There are a limited amount of seats left for our Christmas Party Night on Friday 18th of December.

Christmas parties at Fir Park are always a night to remember and this year will be no different.

We’ve all the ingredients for a great party; high quality catering, lively entertainment and excellent service.

Enjoy a fabulous three-course meal in the Centenary Suite before dancing the night away with our live band and disco.

On the menu will be:

Starter

Fresh Winter Vegetable Soup served with continental bread roll

Or

Fresh orange juice

Main

Roast Turkey Crown with traditional trimmings

Or

Burgandy Roast Beef with a claret jus

Dessert

White chocolate and raspberry gateaux with fresh cream

*Tea and coffee on request (with mince pies)

All this for an unbelievable £29.95 per person.

To book, phone 01698 338008/338062 or do so online by clicking here.

Tonight the Club will be holding an open signing session in the Centenary Suite for fans wanting their newly purchased 2016 calendar autographed by the first team squad.

It’s your chance to meet with your heroes at our annual event, which will take place in the Centenary Suite as usual between 6pm and 8pm.

You can purchase the calendar prior to the event at the ‘Well Shop and take it along with you or you can buy one at the event on the evening.

There will also be an option to buy other Christmas gifts, including Tunnel tiles, Flexi-Tickets, vouchers and Cooper Bricks.

With Christmas fast approaching, The Well Shop are on hand to provide the perfect presents for our supporters this festive period.

To make your spend that little bit easier, The Well Shop will be holding a special 10% sale on Sunday 13th December from 11am – 4pm.

The sale gives you the ideal chance to get your hands on a wide range of official club merchandise and gifts at reduced prices for a limited time only, at The ‘Well Shop and at the Online Store.

The 2015/16 home and away are available, as well as the latest Macron training wear and fashion, official club leisure wear, pyjamas, Bawbags boxers and much more.

There is also an extensive range of stocking fillers as the countdown to Christmas gets underway.

This discount also applies to products already reduced in the sale so you could even pick up a previous seasons Puma replica shirt for £4.50!!

Visit The ‘Well Shop this Sunday to take advantage of this special limited offer.