Latest News

In keeping with leagues across the continent, the Bosman ruling saw an influx of foreign players into the Scottish game as freedom of movement made it far easier for footballers to move clubs.

It also had the effect of opening clubs’ eyes to markets they would previously have overlooked, even those beyond the confines of the EU. Where once there may have been an isolated one or two players from Africa in the league, suddenly a steady stream of players from the continent began arriving in Scotland.

In time, the likes of Ange Oueifio, James Okoli and Said Chiba would follow but the first African player of note to join the Steelmen was Eliphas Shivute, who signed for Motherwell in 1997.

Having also attracted the attention of Dundee Utd and Hearts, the Namibian would go on trial with all three clubs before Alex McLeish used all his powers of persuasion to encourage Eliphas to join the ‘Well.

Arriving from Eleven Arrows, Shivute had at one time played lower league football in Germany.

There was great excitement amongst the Motherwell support who witnessed his debut with his raw talent clear for all to see.

When, in just his second start, he scored with a superb diving header in a 2-2 draw against Rangers at Ibrox and followed it up with another goal against Kilmarnock soon after, it genuinely felt like the club had unearthed a real hidden gem.

Unfortunately though, such highlights would come to be few and far between.

The Namibian internationalist would never be found wanting in terms of effort but the environment of Scottish football was not the most conducive for the style of football he played.

Shivute often seemed to be on a different wavelength from that of his fellow Motherwell players with his unpredictability sometimes proving as much a hindrance to his team-mates as it was a weapon against the opposition.

Eliphas soon found himself on the fringes of the side when Harri Kampman, who replaced McLeish, brought in a number of new players in the summer of 1998 and was released from his contract altogether by Billy Davies when the Finn’s successor was given licence to refresh the squad further only weeks after Kampman’s wholesale changes.

Although at just over a year, his Motherwell career was relatively brief and amounted to three goals in just twenty-six league and cup appearances, Shivute remains a fondly recalled figure for those who witnessed him in claret and amber.

With just under two weeks left to benefit from our early bird pricing we are now offering those that have bought on, or that buy before the 31st May 2017 the chance to win some magical money can’t buy prizes!

Any Junior (15 or Under) that secures their 2017/18 season ticket will be benefiting from one of the following prizes.

• Playing against a Motherwell XI at our summer open day at Fir Park
• 20 juniors will be chosen to be mascots next season*
• 10 juniors will be chosen at random and will have their season ticket personally delivered by a player or the manager**

Anyone else that secures their 2017/18 season ticket could be benefiting from one of these great prizes.

• 5 season ticket holders per home game will be chosen at random and invited with 3 friends to watch a game in the South Stand “Fan Box” during the 2017/18 season.
• 10 season ticket holders chosen at random will get their ticket delivered by a player / manager**
• A meal out with Tam Cowan and a player as part of Tam’s food review in association with the Scottish Sun.

To buy your 2017/18 season ticket and to be in with a chance of securing one the above prizes visit www.MyMFC.co.uk or call us on 01698 333 333.

*game to be chosen by the club
**subject to location and availability

Chairman Jim McMahon said: “On behalf of everyone at Motherwell FC, I would like to sincerely thank our loyal season ticket holders, ‘Well Society members, club sponsors and all supporters who have backed the club so much this term.

“In particular, I would like to thank everyone who was either at New Douglas Park last Saturday, or Fir Park last night, for their superb and positive support, which undoubtedly helped the team get the desired results and proved conclusively that if we can all pull together, we can achieve.

“In addition, I would like to thank everyone for their co-operation in staying off the pitch. It may again have looked a little full on, but the potential threat from the SPFL Commission was very real and I am delighted that we can report back on some excellent behaviour from our fans over the last two years.

“On the pitch, there can be no doubt the Scottish Premiership is the toughest it has been for quite some time, and will only get tougher over the next year or two. However, in this the first year of full fan ownership, our aim was always to ensure we retained our Premiership status and with those two vital wins, we have done that.

“The challenge for us is to work that bit longer and that bit harder; to try and box as smart as we can to ensure we can achieve the success we are all desperate for.

“I, along with the rest of the Executive Board, will meet the first-team manager on Friday morning as we look to get quickly on track for next term. We are a little behind some other clubs who have been more secure in terms of their league status, so it’s very much all hands to the pump for us.

“Despite the uncertainty that existed, Stephen Robinson and (Head of Recruitment) Martin Foyle have been prudent and worked tremendously hard on the squad for 2017/18 and we hope to be busy in the market this summer. I know both Stephen and Martin have been at countless games, watching a lot of potential targets and making various contacts.

“For your part, you can really help us.

“If you renew or buy your Season Ticket, pledge to the ‘Well Society or continue your commercial sponsorship of the club, it helps us plan and the more that get involved, the more we can invest in not only improving the squad, but our commitment to improving the facilities at the club too.

“Thanks for your loyal support and I hope to see as many of you as possible on Saturday at Inverness. We will go there fully determined to win the game, hopefully sign the season off with a hat-trick of wins and finish as high as we possibly can in the table, which could be eighth, results depending.”

Referee for Saturday’s final league match of the 2016/17 season is Craig Thomson – as the Steelmen travel to Inverness.

The 44-year old takes charge of his fourth Motherwell fixture of the season, after the league opener against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, the Steelmen’s 1-1 draw away to Partick Thistle in September and the crushing Scottish Cup defeat against Rangers at Ibrox.

One of the top Scottish referee’s in the game, Thomson has been in charge of a number of Ladbrokes Premiership clashes this season as well as officiating in the UEFA Champions League and World Cup Qualifiers.

Of the three matches he refereed in Europe’s premier club competition, one match saw him oversee last year’s finalists Atlético Madrid who took on Rostov.

His record in charge of the Steelmen is a bit of a mixed bag with 16 wins from 48 matches. There have been 22 defeats and ten draws too.

Not included in that list was the 2007/08 Scottish Cup fourth round replay win against Hearts at Fir Park, when he replaced the injured Stuart Dougal midway through the second-half.

In those games, Motherwell have scored 67 and conceded 70.

168 players have gone into the book, 86 were wearing claret and amber, while seven players, including former and current captains Stephen Craigan and Keith Lasley, have been dismissed. The most recent was Stephen McManus in the away defeat to this weekend’s opponents Inverness.

Craig will be ably assisted by Dougie Potter and Jordan Stokoe; with Kevin Graham on fourth official duties.

Extended Highlights from Fir Park goals from Carl McHugh, Lionel Ainsworth and Elliott Frear secure the three points for the Steelmen.

Images from today’s 3-1 win over Kilmarnock in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

[svgallery name=”kilmarnock160517″]

‘Well boss Stephen Robinson expressed his emotions after the relief of keeping Motherwell in the top flight of Scottish football.

An outstanding 3-1 win over Kilmarnock at Fir Park ensured the Steelmen grabbed back-to-back wins for the first time this season – but at the crucial time.

Speaking to MFC TV at full time, Robinson hailed the desire and “character” of his squad.

He said: “We’re relieved, we’re staying up and it was a hard fought victory tonight.

[pullquote]The boys have thoroughly deserved it and since I came in they’ve showed those battling qualities and desire to remain in this division.[/pullquote]

“Lee’s done brilliantly with Kilmarnock and they came here on the back of a really good run, so we showed character and started really well.”

He added: “The set-play we worked on was terrific and came off brilliantly and we then showed character to bounce back from conceding as well.

“The boys have thoroughly deserved it and since I came in they’ve showed those battling qualities and desire to remain in this division.”

You can watch Robinson’s full post-match interview on MFC TV’s official YouTube channel.

[tab:Match report]

Motherwell secured their Premiership status with a 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock at Fir Park tonight.

The Steelmen notched consecutive victories for the first time this season as Hamilton conceded in stoppage time to lose 3-2 away to Ross County – leaving Stephen Robinson’s men six points ahead of their local rivals.

Now the Fir Parkers could finish as high as eighth with a trip to Inverness waiting on Saturday afternoon.

Following Saturday afternoon’s 1-0 victory over Hamilton, it was a dream start as the ‘Well grabbed the lead after just a minute.

It was straight from the training ground, with Elliott Frear’s clever corner kick cut back for Carl McHugh to finish first time past Jamie MacDonald.

While it was a perfect way to get such a crucial encounter started, in truth, Motherwell had their most disappointing spell of the match in the first half as Kilmarnock took a bit of control.

That was rewarded when Adam Frizzell struck a low effort past Russell Griffiths to level proceedings in the 17^th minute after the ball broke kindly for the Killie man.

Lee McCulloch’s side nearly took the lead six minutes later but Greg Taylor was denied by a superb save from Griffiths, who raced off his line to deny the Ayrshire outfit their second goal.

Immediately down the other end, top-scorer Louis Moult was denied a sure goal by a fantastic save from MacDonald, who turned the forward’s effort over the bar after a neat ‘Well move which sent Moult free.

After picking up an early yellow card, Stephen Robinson took no chances as he hooked youngster David Ferguson before half time to ensure his side kept eleven men on the park – he was replaced by Lionel Ainsworth.

It was an inspired substitution too; as the winger proved to be the difference in a fantastic second half for Motherwell.

And eight minutes in to the second period, the Englishman scored what turned out to be a decisive goal in Motherwell’s season.

Standing over a freekick just outside the box, Ainsworth struck a stunning effort from a near impossible angle past the helpless Killie keeper to give ‘Well a crucial lead in their final fixture at Fir Park this season.

The hosts went on to control the match as they neared three massive points, and with news filtering through the stadium that Hamilton were behind against Ross County, the near 5,000 home supporters celebrations stepped up a notch.

And in the 79th minute, they burst into ecstasy.

A lovely reverse ball from Moult out near the touchline in to the run of Frear through the middle of the Killie defence allowed the winger to round the outrushing MacDonald with his first touch and stroke in to an empty net with his second for his first goal in claret and amber to wrap up what was a huge victory for the club.

With one game remaining and top flight football remaining at Fir Park next season, it was a dramatic and memorable ending to the 2016/17 campaign at the home of the Steelmen.

[tab:As it happened]

 Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

And with that the Steelmen will be playing in the Premiership next season! COYW!!!!!!

FULL TIME!!!!
90+3′ | 3-1
‘Well have the ball in the corner and will look to keep it there.

4 minutes added on….

89′ | 3-1
Motherwell sub, Ainsworth off for @adamlivi03

85′ | 3-1
Motherwell sub, Moult off for Bowman. Some shift he’s put in!

79′ | 3-1
Excellent breakaway…Moult finds FREAR and he finds the composure to go past MacDonald and slot home. COME ON!!!!!

MATCH ATTAX | Young ‘Well fans can vote now for your Man of the Match. Tweet your name, age, choice & #MatchAttaxMOTM.

GGGOOOAAAALLLL!!!!

77′ | 2-1
Killie sub, Wilson off for Graham

5246 here tonight, 500 from Kilmarnock. Thank you for your support!

72′ | 2-1
Close! Frear gets past his man but shoots just past the post.

68′ | 2-1
Frizzell gets some space about 25 yards out and opts for the shot but it doesn’t trouble Griffiths. Well over.

65′ | 2-1
Kilmarnock sub, Kiltie off for McKenzie.

57′ | 2-1
Close!! Cadden fires a great ball across the face of goal which MacDonald gets a great hand to, to take it away from Moult. Corner

55′ | 2-1
Killie sub, Hawkshaw off for Roberts.

53′ | 2-1
What a goal!!!! Ainsworth fires in a beauty from the deadball. COYW!!!!!!

GGGOOOOAAALLLLL!!!!!

52′ | 1-1
Taylor is shown a yellow for hacking down Frear as he burst past him. Free-kick in a decent area…

50′ | 1-1
Motherwell free-kick wide on the left….whipped in by Ainsworth but nodded wide by Heneghan

49′ | 1-1
Frear spins his man and he is hauled down. No card though.

48′ | 1-1
Clay gets into the box. There is contact and he goes down but ref books him for simulation.

Both teams are back out and Clay gets the action back underway. COYW!!!

HT: Motherwell 1 – 1 Kilmarnock #MFCvKFC

44′ | 1-1
Kiltie’s shot from range skims the top of the bar and goes over.

39′ | 1-1
Ainsworth bursts past his man and clips in a ball deep to Frear who then forces a corner. From that, Heneghan heads over.

38′ | 1-1
Motherwell sub, Ferguson makes way for Ainsworth.

34′ | 1-1
Jones gets past Ferguson but Griffiths his equal to his shot, saving it with his foot.

31′ | 1-1
Ferguson booked for a foul on Jones on the edge of the box.

24′ | 1-1
Great chance for Moult but MacDonald stands up well and puts it over for a corner.

23′ | 1-1
Griffiths races off his line and does well to block at Taylor’s feet.

19′ | 1-1
Motherwell almost back in front! Moult sets up Cadden with his chest but he blasts inches wide from 20 yards.

17′ | 1-1
Goal – ‘Well are pegged back. Ball breaks kindly for Frizzell and he finds a way past Russell from 12 yards.

11′ | 1-0
Lasley booked. Looked harsh to be honest.

8′ | 1-0
McDonald gets in behind the Killie defence and squares to Moult who spins well but his shot is blocked. Unlucky.

5′ | 1-0
Free-kick wide on the left. Frear to take…..MacDonald gets off his line and claims well.

1′ | 1-0
Corner kick is worked short to McHUGH who blasts home. COYW!!!!

GGOOAALLLL!!!!

Kilmarnock get the game underway. COYW!!!

Out come the two sides. Beautiful night here in Lanarkshire…

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson:

Kilmarnock interim manager Lee McCulloch:

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”321″]

Motherwell had suffered a dismal start to their campaign back in season 2006/07, but put a poor run of one win in the opening eight games to one side with a 5-0 thrashing over tonight’s opponents Kilmarnock at Fir Park.

Richie Foran slotted home from five yards on 15 minutes following a goalmouth scramble to open the scoring for Maurice Malpas’ men.

The Fir Park side made it 2-0 just five minutes later when Mark Reynolds headed home past Killie stopper Graeme Smith. Brian Kerr’s 25-yard stunner gave the ‘Well a comfortable lead heading in to the break.

Scott McDonald wrapped up the goalscoring with a cool finish in the final minutes after he had headed in the fourth in the 82^nd minute.

It marked a stunning victory for the Steelmen, then bottom of the table, who were given a huge boost following their nightmare start.

It may have been a different story had the visiting Ayrshire outfit found the back of the net early on though – instead watching on in agony as Danny Invincible’s  header crashed back off the woodwork after just six minutes.

In the 15^th minute, Scott McDonald sent in a cross from the left which Frazer Wright sliced wildly towards goal. Smith kept it out but Foran forced the ball home as the Killie keeper tried to pick it up.

Motherwell went two up five minutes later. Paterson’s in-swinging corner was headed on by Mark Reynolds and the ball spun off David Lilley’s leg and into his own net.

Well practically wrapped up the match after just 23 minutes when Paterson played a neat pass to Brian Kerr on the edge of the box and he found the far corner with a beautiful, curling effort to extend the lead to three.

Scott McDonald made amends for missed chances earlier in the matcg with a quick-fire double on 82 and 86 minutes to complete the rout.

The Aussie will be hopeful of a similar outing this evening in one of the club’s biggest matches of the strikers time at Motherwell.

Motherwell: Meldrum, Quinn, Craigan, Paterson, Kerr, Lasley, Reynolds, McGarry, Foran (Fitzpatrick 85), Elliot (Clarkson 83), McDonald (McCormack 88)

The twenty-first issue of the Steelmen matchday magazine is on sale ahead of tonight’s league clash with Kilmarnock at Fir Park.

Here, we take a look at what can be found inside the 68-page programme.

In the final league programme of the season, ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson is the feature interview as his side prepare for one of the biggest fixtures in Motherwell’s recent history.

There are the usual updates from club captain Keith Lasley, the Community Trust and the Well Society, along with ‘Getting to Know You’ – where Russell Griffiths is profiled – in the final issue of the 2016/17 season.

The interesting feature ‘Well in Numbers’, where feature writer Andrew Paterson looks at some of the key numbers in Motherwell history, continues.

‘Steelmen’ main features on tomorrow’s opposition remain, including an in depth look at Kilmarnock as well as the ‘Tactics Board’, where we look at Lee McCulloch’s starting eleven from their game against Dundee.

Our match report section looks back on the Fir Parker’s 0-1 victory over Hamilton at the weekend.

An update on Stephen Craigan’s U20s side is included too after their season came to a close.

All the latest news from Fir Park is included too, and you’ll get an update from the Ticket Office as well as an in-depth look at tonight’s match-officials.

All this and more is available for £3 and is on sale from the Club Shop as well as the usual sellers located in and around the ground pre-match.

You can also order back editions or take a subscription to the magazine for the rest of the season by visiting the website of our publishers, Curtis-Sports.