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Motherwell Football Club has become the latest Scottish Premiership club to provide free sanitary products in its stadium, thanks to its sponsors Paycare.

The Steelmen’s official shorts partner and health and wellbeing partner has sponsored the club’s trial of free sanitary products. They will be available within all 14 of the female toilets in the concourse area at Fir Park.

The campaign will run throughout the season, with the health cash plan organisation contributing towards the initial cost.

Many countries are calling for more support for women from low-income backgrounds who cannot afford basic menstrual products and are victim to ‘period poverty’.

This is said to affect one in 10 women aged 14 to 21 in Britain, and nearly one in five in Scotland.

“As a fan-owned club, we’re immensely proud of our history and our commitment to inclusivity for our fans, visitors and staff alike,” Suzanne Reid, head of commercial and marketing, explained.

“Period poverty is a very real issue impacting many women from lower income families, and it can subsequently have a huge impact on the quality of their day-to-day lives.

“We’re pleased to be launching our trial to freely supply our female visitors with free sanitary products, kindly part-funded by Paycare, our official health and wellbeing partner.

“Feedback so far has been great, and we very much hope to implement it as a permanent benefit within Motherwell Football Club.”

The campaign follows similar initiatives launched by Celtic FC, which introduced free sanitary products within its stadium earlier this year, as well as the Scottish Parliament building, which provides free products for all staff and visitors.

Kevin Rogers, chief executive officer of Paycare, added: “As a health cash plan organisation, we’re passionate about helping individuals access support for services they genuinely need, and we’re humbled to be part of such a vital project which is another step in a positive direction.”

A well-respected and dedicated not-for-profit health cash plan provider, Paycare has helped individuals, families and businesses across the Black Country and Wolverhampton protect themselves against everyday healthcare costs and bills for over 140 years.

Elliott Frear is full of positivity ahead of Saturday’s trip to Dens Park. 

The winger is taking confidence from last season’s clashes against Dundee, and believes ‘Well are heading in to the fixture on the back of some solid performances.

“We feel good,” the Englishman said. “We know what we’ve got to do there. We got good results there last season and we know what we’ve got to do to win.”

Stephen Robinson spoke to the press ahead of his side’s trip to Dens Park in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

And following on from a dramatic 3-3 draw with Rangers, the ‘Well boss hopes to see his side take their strong form in to Saturday’s game.

On a busy week in the media

“It was just a normal week. I mean we just got on with our jobs and we had a good result, one I felt that we should have won to be honest. Having watched it back and we dominated large parts of the game so it’s time to take that form again and we’ve got a tough game against Dundee and we just have to concentrate on the football.”

On a dramatic point against Rangers

“It sort of felt like a win, and I know we only got one point from it so it obviously isn’t a win and we know that. It would have been difficult for me to go in to that dressing room had we not got anything out of it considering how well we played against a top, top team. So it was good, the atmosphere around the place has been very, very good and we feel that’s our best performance and very much like we were last season.”

On Saturday’s opponents Dundee

“I think they’re a good side. I went to see them against St Johnstone and they’ve got a lot of very good technical players who can dominate large parts of the game. So we’re well prepared and it’s not something we’ll take lightly.

“We’ve only played three games and we’re talking about teams at the bottom and teams struggling, but nobody is struggling at this stage, this is people finding form and getting into a little bit of a rhythm as we are as well and and I’m sure Dundee will go on and and put a run together but hopefully that doesn’t start against us.”

On new Dee signing Kenny Miller

“I think he’s a good signing for them, Kenny’s a good player. We’ve ready played against him once this season with Livingston so we’ll be well aware of Kenny’s threats.”

On going up against a side at the foot of the table

“I don’t think that plays a part. As I said, I think the media has to fill every page seven days a week and make a big thing out of three games and no points. But we’re just three games in to a season and you can see that with ourselves as well.

“It’s very, very early for everybody and we’re wary of every team we play against. We’re well aware of their strengths and we know that they’ve got many, and we’re well aware of their weaknesses as we are with every single team.”

On the club’s start to the season

“Well we’re in the quarterfinals of a cup, we’ve just outplayed and drew with a team that have spent millions of pounds and everybody fancies, potentially, for the league. So yes, we’ve done okay so far.

“We didn’t get results in the first two league games and we’re still having to chop and change slightly with losing Cedric Kipre and Charles Dunne who were mainstays of a defence than didn’t concede a goal in 20 games last season so we’re still getting that together, but I see big signs of improvement and I thought some of our performance have been excellent.”

It’s time to vote for your Tullibardine Player of the Month for August.

The month may have started with some tough results but the squad bounced back in style. They reached the quarter finals of the Betfred Cup and giving us a memorable day against Rangers, when Peter Hartley netted a dramatic last-minute equaliser in a 3-3 draw.

Now you can choose who deserves the accolade of our best player.

To vote, just head to our Facebook page and choose your favourite. Here’s the shortlist for August.

Tom Aldred

Brought back on loan after the departure of Cédric Kipré, the central defender has slotted straight back into the team with ease.

The Englishman has been a consistent performer since making his return against Hamilton and has made three appearances.

Gaël Bigirimana

Having played his way back into selection, Bigirimana has been a strong performer in central midfield.

Impressing against Hamilton Academical and Livingston, his best came at the end of the month when he set up two goals in the 3-3 draw with Rangers.

Danny Johnson

Johnson has had to wait patiently to get his chance as he adjusted to life in ML1, but has already demonstrated the goal scoring prowess he displayed south of the border.

His performance against Hibernian as a substitute gave the Steelmen hope of a comeback, before netting the winner in the 1-0 cup win over Livingston and showing great composure to open the scoring against Rangers with a delicate chip.

Carl McHugh

Always Mr Dependable, Carl McHugh has moved back to centre back and handled it with a succession of strong performances.

The Irishman has been an ever-present in August, forming a solid defensive line along with Aldred and Peter Hartley.

Donald Jennow has been appointed as the new head coach of Motherwell’s senior women’s team.

Previously number two to former boss Eddie Wolecki Black, Jennow steps in after his predecessor’s departure to Celtic, after the women of steel claimed the SWPL2 title.

Jennow has extensive experience both within the women and men’s game. He was assistant manager with Wolecki Black at Glasgow City for almost five years, followed by an almost two-year spell at League One side Airdrieonians.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity,” said the new head coach. “We’ve got the foundations of a really good set-up here and it’s something I’m very excited to take on.

“We’ve had success this year, just at the weekend we won the league, so to continue on is something that’s important to me.

“I don’t like leaving a job half done, and while we’ve had a great start to things, there’s a lot more to come.”

With the league title wrapped up last weekend with a 5-1 win against Edinburgh University Hutchison Vale, ‘Well still have interest in the SSE Scottish Cup. They will play St Johnstone for a place in the last four on Sunday, 16 September.

Jennow, who is currently working towards his UEFA Pro Licence, will retain the services of goalkeeping coach Andy Moran. He will look to appoint an assistant of his own in due course.

“Following Eddie’s departure for Celtic, Donald was the only name I considered and I am delighted he has accepted the job,” Motherwell chief executive Alan Burrows added.

“From the relatively short time we have worked together, it’s clear that Donald not only has the talent and the temperament to be a head coach in his own right, but that he’s very much ready for it too.

“I think he’ll have the respect of the current squad and we’ve already had positive discussions about our first every season in the Scottish top flight, something everyone at Motherwell is very excited about.

“I would also like to take one last opportunity to thank Eddie for his time at ‘Well and the infrastructure he helped created in just under one year. We wish him all the very best both in his personal and professional life.”

Gaël Bigirimana sits down for a coffee and a chat ahead of this weekend’s clash with Dundee.

The midfielder’s honesty and faith shine through in an open and honest account.

Our interview was filmed at the Windmills Cafe in Motherwell.

Windmills is a social enterprise cafe in the heart of Motherwell which is committed to ensuring young people with learning disabilities have equal access to meaningful work experience opportunities. For more information, visit Windmills Cafe’s website.

Jordan Armstrong netted his first of the season as Motherwell’s reserve side drew 1-1 at Dunfermline Athletic.

Stephen Craigan’s side now have four points from two games, having opened the campaign with a win over Hearts.

Motherwell Football Club and Cash Converters UK have renewed their partnership for an eighth consecutive year.

As part of one of the longest-running partnerships in Scottish football, Cash Converters will continue to have branding around the stadium, including the main apron of the John Hunter stand, which has recently been rebranded.

The new three-year deal will also see Cash Converters commit to ticket giveaways to help families in the local area to attend home matches.

“We are delighted to continue the already very successful and positive partnership we’ve enjoyed with Cash Converters,” Motherwell FC’s head of commercial and marketing Suzanne Reid said.

“Their continued support makes a real difference to the club and the surrounding community. It is fantastic to announce this extended three-year partnership.”

Cash Converters UK’s head of marketing Michelle Byrne added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to build on an already strong and healthy relationship with Motherwell FC.

“Our partnership is more than promotion of our brand. It is an opportunity to integrate in and support the Motherwell community, similar to what we have shown with Saint Helens RLFC in England.”

Stephen Craigan reflected on his side’s 1-1 draw with Dunfermline Reserves as an opportunity missed for another three points.

Although the Steelmen went behind in the match, they were soon level and spent much of the last hour enjoying the bulk of possession, but squandering good opportunities in the final third.

“For the first 20 to 25 minutes, I felt we were off the pace and it took until we got ourselves level for us to really kick on,” the reserves boss said.

“We had the most of the possession, but didn’t create enough clear-cut chances or work their goalkeeper enough.

“We certainly worked ourselves into good areas, but often it was the last thing we did with it that let us down.”

Despite dominating the match for long spells, Motherwell’s reserves were held to a 1-1 draw away to Dunfermline Athletic.

Jordan Armstrong’s first of the season cancelled out Lewis McCann’s opener in a competitive first half.

And although ‘Well went on to control almost all of the second 45, they could not get a crucial second goal as the game ended all square.

Manager Stephen Craigan made four changes to the side that beat Hearts 2-0 last midweek. Barry Maguire, Christian Mbulu, Jamie Semple and David Turnbull dropped out, replaced by Liam Brown, debutant Akeal Rehman, Broque Watson and Ryan Bowman.

Motherwell made a positive start and had the first chance of the match after just four minutes, Pars ‘keeper Cammy Gill saving Ryan Bowman’s attempted bicycle kick.

That was the only real action of an otherwise quite opening to the match, that was until Dunfermline took the lead after 24 minutes.

A Kallum Higginbotham free-kick was only partially cleared, landing at the feet of former Dundee United winger Aidan Connolly. His curling shot was brilliantly palmed away by Peter Morrison, only for Lewis McCann to react first to the rebound, heading home from close distance.

‘Well went immediately on the search for a leveller and within a minute, Broque Watson brought out a good save from Gill who turned his low effort around the post.

Half chances came and went via Neil McLaughin and Kyle MacDonald, before Craigan’s men grabbed a deserved equaliser.

Liam Brown’s corner to the back post found Bowman in acres of space. His header was somehow blocked on the line, only for Armstrong to smash home from a few yards out.

‘Well almost got themselves ahead less than 60 seconds later. Watson’s lung-busting run and cross finding Newell in the box, but his header was straight at Gill who held on.

The visitors started the second half on the front foot and Liam Brown went close to putting the visitors in front. The midfielder arrived late at the back post to connect to a Rehman corner, but his shot went a yard or so wide.

MacDonald had a low shot off target, Jason Krones had a powerful header from a corner drop just wide and McLaughlin saw a close-range shot blocked over for a corner, as the Steelmen went in search of a second goal.

The game had a long pause for the unfortunate Kieran Swanson, the Pars defender falling awkwardly after getting back to block a Watson cross from the right. He was stretchered off and looking in considerable pain – everyone at Motherwell wishes him well.

When the game restarted, Pars had their only real chance of the half.

‘Well shot themselves in the foot, giving it away cheaply in midfield, allowing the hosts to break. When the ball fell was worked out to the right, Connolly cut inside and fired towards goal, but Morrison was equal to it, getting down low and his left hand post to save.

The final chance to win the match came in the dying stages of added on time. A cross from the right looked to be falling perfectly for Jamie Semple, only for the faintest of touches from a Pars defender to knock it off his toe and out for a corner.