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Motherwell Football Club can today confirm Jack McMillan has left the club to join Livingston.

McMillan, a product of the club’s youth academy, broke into the first team squad back in early 2016/17.

But he has failed to nail down a regular first team berth and currently finds himself down the pecking order for a place in the starting 11.

The 20-year-old right back had been on loan at the Tony Macaroni Arena this term and boss David Hopkin indicated his desire to make the more permanent.

Although his contract at ‘Well had one more year to run, with regular first-team football looking unlikely, the club has allowed the player to switch to the Championship club to continue his career development. Motherwell have protected their interests with a sizable sell-on clause.

McMillan leaves having made 16 appearances in claret and amber, 10 of them as a starter.

“Jack is a great kid and we didn’t want to hold him back from making a career from the game,” ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson said of the departure.

“With Richard Tait, Liam Grimshaw and Chris Cadden all pushing for a spot on the right, it made life for Jack that more difficult.

“However, this move will allow him to continue to develop himself and at the same time protects the club should he do well. We wish him every success at his hometown club.’

McMillan added: “I obviously leave Motherwell with a bit of a heavy heart, having came through the system there.

“However, I also want to thank the club and the manager for their honesty and allowing me to go and progress my career in the game.

“We’ve left each other on good terms and I wish everyone at Fir Park all the very best for the future. For my part, I am excited about the challenges that lie ahead.”

Everyone at Motherwell Football Club would like to thank Jack for his contribution whilst at Fir Park and wish him every success in his future career.

Stephen Robinson hopes his side’s recent run to Hampden can inspire similar success in the Scottish Cup.

The Steelmen face local rivals Hamilton Academical in the fourth round on Saturday in the first game of 2018, and for the second derby clash in just three weeks.

Following the memorable run to the Betfred Cup final, Robinson is optimistic and hungry to lead his players to further success in cup football.

[pullquote]We aim to go on another cup run, and you need to go out and beat teams like Hamilton if you expect to get there.[/pullquote]

“Our cup run raised the players profiles and it raised the club’s profile and what that does is it helps you attract footballers.

“When we’re going and speaking to Nadir, Curtis and Tom, we can say that we’ve just been in a cup final and that we’ve been in the top six for the vast majority of the season.”

He’s only been at Motherwell for less than a fortnight but Nadir Çiftçi already feels at home.

The centre forward arrived this month from Celtic on loan, as he looks to recapture the form that earned him the move to Glasgow from Dundee United.

As he prepares to face Hamilton Academcial this weekend, Çiftçi believes he’s in the right place to do exactly that.

“I have the same sort of happiness as I did at Dundee United and hopefully I can recreate that form here at Fir Park as well,” the 25-year-old said.

“I’ll do my best to get back to that sort of form. It was the most enjoyable time of my career so far but I can feel the enjoyment here already.

[pullquote]There is the same kind of feeling here, I have the same sort of happiness as I did at Dundee United and hopefully I can recreate that form here at Fir Park as well.”[/pullquote]

Çiftçi spent the first half of the season on loan at Plymouth Argyle and, having found game time difficult to come by, jumped at the chance to return to Scotland.

“Football is not just going out there on a Saturday and playing the game, it’s much more than that,” he added.

“Things off the park, in the dressing room and around the club all play a part and I feel at home here.”

David Clarkson is returning to Motherwell Football Club as the new head of the intermediate academy.

The 32-year-old is retiring as a professional footballer to take up the role, having left St Mirren earlier in January.

Clarkson will report to Stevie Hammell, who took up the post of academy director after the departure of Scott Leitch.

“I’m really excited,” he said on his return. “I’ve been coaching for the last two years now in the academy with the under 15s.

“It’s good now to take that wee step up and oversee the 13s to 16s, and work with Stevie Hammell.

[pullquote]I hope to pass on experiences I’ve had coming through as a young kid, and playing at Motherwell as well.”[/pullquote]

Clarkson started his football career at Motherwell, breaking into the first team in December 2002. After three substitute appearances, he scored within nine minutes of his first start against Partick Thistle in January 2003.

After seven years with the club, he moved on to Bristol City, playing with them for three years before a switch to city rivals Bristol Rovers.

He returned north in 2014 with Dundee, hitting the headlines after scoring eight goals in eight games. A short spell back at Motherwell followed, before his move to St Mirren.

Clarkson also scored on his Scotland debut while he was a Motherwell player in 2008, netting in the away friendly against Czech Republic.

“It’s great to have David back at the club,” said academy director Hammell.

“When the position became available, it was an easy decision to make, especially given his experience with the academy so far.”

Are you a male and aged between 35 and 65 years old? Is your waist size at least 38 inches? Do you want to lose weight, have a healthier lifestyle and ultimately be fitter?

Our 13-week Football Fans In Training programme can help you do this for free. You’ll get a behind the scenes look at your club, be trained by selected club coaches, have a nosy at the trophy cabinet and have the chance to talk tactics in the dressing room. Who knows, maybe you’ll even bump into a player or two.

So what are you waiting for? Our new intake will start on Monday, January 29 in the Davie Cooper Stand boxes at 6pm and will take place every Monday for 13 weeks thereafter.

The main aims of the programme are to:

• Increase knowledge of diet & nutrition
• Improve lifestyle choices
• Increase physical activity amongst participants
• Reduce weight and waist measurements
• Increase engagement in other physical activity

Over the course of the 13-week programme, participants will partake in a range of interactive classroom sessions to help make better lifestyle choices. They will also find out ways in which they can become more physically active, as well as setting targets and goals to increase their daily step counts.

“Football Fans in Training is an excellent example of how an innovative approach can engage a group of people who normally find it difficult to engage in mainstream health services,” David Caesar, the national clinical advisor to Scotland’s chief medical officer said of the programme.

“Thinking outside of the box, as this project does, allows for the delivery of effective health interventions that have a hugely positive impact on those who take part.

“Small but significant lifestyle changes set against the backdrop of professional football environments has proved a winning combination and a shining example”.

To register your interest please email graeme.mcarthur@motherwellfc.co.uk or call the Community Trust on 01698 239926. We just need to know your name, date of birth and waist measurement.

Motherwell Ladies have added another two players to their squad ahead of the forthcoming 2018 campaign.

The first is 22-year-old defender Stephanie Knox, who has joined the club from SWPL1 side Celtic.

The former Scotland youth international came through the ranks at Rangers, before making the switch to city rivals Celtic in 2015, playing the last two seasons with the Hoops.

The second new arrival is striker Sammy Hare.

It will be Sammy’s second spell working with Eddie Wolecki Black, who coached the player over a decade ago at Newburgh.

Another former Scotland youth international, she has spent time with Hibernian and had a spell in the United States. She was most recently with SWPL1 side Stirling University.

“I am obviously delighted to strengthen the squad further,” said Wolecki Black.

“Both players know the pressures faced with playing football at the top level in this country.

“They are both individuals who will add experience, drive and talent to a competitive group of players.”

Tom Aldred has long had his eye on another crack at top flight football in Scotland.

The central defender, who has signed on loan at Motherwell until the end of the 2017/18 season, had a short spell in the Scottish Premiership earlier in his career with Inverness CT.

Having also represented the country at youth level, the 27-year-old wasn’t going to pass up the chance to move to Fir Park when the chance arose.

“Playing in the Scottish Premiership was something I was really interested in,” he said on his arrival. “I’m looking forward to getting going.

“I am familiar with Scotland. My mum’s side of the family are Scottish and I’ve visited up here a few times.

[pullquote]I keep an eye on Scottish football and I’m aware Motherwell have had a good season so far.[/pullquote]

“Obviously with them doing well in the cup as well. I know a few of the boys as well I’ve played with, and against, in England.”

Aldred moves from Bury, where he joined from Blackpool in the summer, having taken the Seasiders to League One via the play-offs.

The towering defender adds to Stephen Robinson’s options in the centre back positions

“Wherever you go now, there’s competition for places,” he said. “Anywhere you go at any team, at any level. The more competition, the best it brings out in yourself.

“I am really looking forward to it, to getting my head down, working hard and being the best I can be for the football club.”

Motherwell Football Club are delighted to announce the loan signing of Tom Aldred from Bury.

The central defender has joined until the end of the 2017/18 campaign and will boost the defensive options available to manager Stephen Robinson.

Aldred has previous experience of playing in the Scottish top flight with Inverness CT and has also been capped at youth level in this country.

“I am really looking forward to it, to getting my head down, working hard and being the best I can be for the football club,” he said on his arrival.

[pullquote]Playing in the Scottish Premiership was something I was really interested in. I’m looking forward to getting going.[/pullquote]

The 27-year-old started his career with Carlisle United in 2008, before a move to Watford two years later.

After loan spells with Stockport County and Inverness CT, Aldred moved on to Colchester United, with further temporary stints at Torquay United and Barrow.

Regular games followed in 2012 after a move to Accrington Stanley, where he made 94 appearances before a move to the English Championship with Blackpool.

A regular with the Seasiders over the course of three seasons, the towering defender was their captain as they won the League Two play-off final last campaign.

A move to Bury followed in the summer under former Kilmarnock boss Lee Clark, where he made 23 appearances this season before the switch to Fir Park.

“We were clear from the start of the January window we were looking to increase our options in central defence.” manager Robinson said of his signing.

“Tom ticks that box and arrives at the club with plenty experience under his belt.

“We tried to get him in the summer, so we are delighted to finally have him at Motherwell.”

Motherwell return to action after the winter break when they face Hamilton Academical on Saturday, January 20.

The Lanarkshire rivals go head to head in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup as they play for a place in the last 16.

After agreement with the Accies, we’re offering reduced price entry for the big derby match here at Fir Park.

Adult entry costs just £15 for the game, while concessions go for £10 and those aged 15 and under will pay just £5.

Come and support the team as the Steelmen start their bid to reach a second cup final this campaign.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the ticket office or you can pay on the gate.

	Motherwell v Hamilton Academical
	Saturday, January 20 2018
	3pm
	Fir Park
	Tickets on sale from the Fir Park ticket office or pay at the gate.

Admission prices are as follows:

Concessions are applicable to 60 and over and full time students with a valid matriculation card. Juveniles are applicable to aged 15 and under.

Motherwell fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Brian Davidson on 07725 917161. Fans must contact Brian by Wednesday night before the match.

Motherwell Football Club is a busy place all week long, with community activities and great events going on as well as football matches.

This is our schedule for the week ahead across the departments for the week beginning Monday, January 15. For more information on anything listed, click the relevant links or call the club on 01698 333333.

Please note that many community-based activities are weather dependent.

Monday, January 15

Community

Walking Football: Fir Park astro turf, 1-3pm

Girls Development Centre: Fir Park astro turf, 3-5.30pm

Tuesday, January 16

Community

Football Fans in Training: Fir Park astro turf, 11am-1pm

Wednesday, January 17

Football

Our under 20s are back in Development League action against Dundee United. The game, which will be played at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium, kicks off at 2pm.

Community

Girls Development Centre: Fir Park astro turf, 3-5.30pm

Muir Street After School Club: Muir Street Primary School, 3-4pm

Dalziel After School Club: Dalziel High School, 5-6pm

Fir Park Mini Steelkids: Fir Park astro turf, 5-6pm

Lanark Mini Steelkids: Lanark Grammar School, 6-7pm

Fir Park Football Development Centre: Fir Park astro turf, 6-7pm and 7-8pm

Lanark Football Development Centre: Lanark Grammar School, 7-8pm

Thursday, January 18

Community

Muir Street After School Club: Muir Street Primary School, 3-4pm

Dalziel After School Club: Dalziel High School, 5-6pm

Friday, January 19

Community

Bellshill Mini Steelkids: Sir Matt Busby Centre, 4-5pm

Bellshill Football Development Centre: Sir Matt Busby Centre, 5-6pm

Fir Park Mini Steelkids: Fir Park astro turf, 6-7pm

Saturday, January 20

Football

The first team host Hamilton Academical in the Ladbrokes Premiership. Kick off at Fir Park is at 3pm. Supporters can buy tickets in advance or on the gate.

Admission prices are as follows:

• Concessions are applicable to 60 and over and full time students with a valid matriculation card.
• Juveniles are applicable to aged 15 and under.
• Motherwell fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Brian Davidson on 07725 917161. Fans must contact Brian by Wednesday night before the match.

Community

Fir Park Mini Steelkids: Fir Park astro turf, 9-10am and 10-11am

Saturday Club, Fir Park astro turf, 12-1pm and 1-2pm

Sunday, January 21

Our Under 20s face Stranraer FC in the long-anticipated Scottish FA Youth Cup fourth round tie. Kick off at New Tinto Park in Govan is at 11am.