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We’re delighted to announce the return of Eddie Wolecki Black as the head of our women’s football department.

The 54-year-old returns to the club following a previous, highly-successful spell as manager in the 2018 season, where he took the team to an unbeaten SWPL2 campaign and promotion to the top flight.

He returns as the team prepare for their second season in SWPL1, having comfortably secured their status in 2019.

“I’m excited to be back at Motherwell,” he said on his return. “There’s an opportunity to grow the club further and my day-to-day remit will be doing that.

“Instantly when I came back I felt part of things again. This is a club that is determined to improve in every aspect, working together to achieve that, and that motivates me greatly.”

Wolecki Black will be responsible for all areas of women’s football at Motherwell, from first team level through to youth level, and is tasked with the strategy, growth and development of the club.

He will also lead the first team as manager, with two assistant coaches to be appointed shortly.

Motherwell chief executive Alan Burrows added: “The opportunity to welcome Eddie back was one we instantly took up when it arose.

“With the team now established in the top division, and with the pace at which the game is continuing to grow, being able to bring him in with all his experience on a daily basis is another big step forward for the club.”

After success in his first spell at the club, Wolecki Black was head hunted by Celtic towards the end of the 2018 season.

His year was at Celtic Park was also successful, with the Hoops finishing in joint second spot and improving their points tally by 13 on the previous campaign.

Prior to his time at Fir Park, the 54-year-old won four trebles in four years at Glasgow City – lifting the Scottish Women’s Premier League title, Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup each season.

He also managed SPFL sides Montrose and Airdrieonians, as well as a short stint at Lowland League outfit Edusport, now known as Caledonian Braves.

Stephen Robinson spoke about the trip to Rugby Park, the importance of the next three games and facing a side who are without a manager on Friday.

Here’s what he said to the broadcast media.

On the festive run-in

“It’s a huge, huge three games for us. Three games I think we can take points out of. We have to be at our best again.

“There were bits in the Rangers game that reminded me of our game against Hearts at home in the cup when we lost. We just got into little habits of not doing the things we have been doing. Forward thinking, putting balls into areas, into the box, forward runs. Playing with that energy and positivity.

“That might have been the level of team we were playing against. But I think it was more our mindset on the day. And we have to make sure we get back to being positive, trying to take the game to Kilmarnock and obviously Ross County and Hamilton,

“So three huge games that we are very much looking forward to that we can really leave our year on a high.”

On the difference to last year

“We’ve got a couple of doubts for Saturday. Christopher Long has not trained for the last 48 hours. Christy Manzinga won’t play for two or three weeks with a hamstring injury again.

“I think this time last year we had 10 to 13 injuries. All boys that were in and around the first team out of a squad like Motherwell, any squad, it takes its toll.

“So the good thing is we are in a better place injury wise. We are in a better position league wise, so it takes a little bit of pressure off you. The only pressure we’re really under is what we’re trying to achieve and trying to continue to take the football club forward.”

On Kilmarnock

“They’ve still got the squad that performed so well last year and they’re in a position in the league  that’s still a very high position. So they are always going to be a very tough team to play against.

“They do play deeper. They do let you have a lot of the ball and they do it well. Organised and disciplined. Alex [Dyer] played a massive part in that under Steve.

“So I’m sure they’ll be exactly the same. So we have to have our forward player better than we had last Sunday. More aggressive in terms of going at people. Better decision making, more positivity, not plan with a wee bit of fear, which I felt we did on Sunday.

“We have to make sure we’re positive because they’re a tough, tough team to break down.”

On success at Motherwell

“I’m a very lucky position that I have a lot of backing from the board. The fans are incredibly good to me.

“I think most people at Motherwell know the parameters that we work under. What we try and achieve and how are we trying to achieve it. We will go up and down. We will have bad games and stages of the season, due to the personnel that we’ve got and the age of our team.

“It makes you appreciate what you’ve got. You’ve got people that are loyalty and the are very, very supportive. Everyone can be supportive when you’re doing well.

“You know, at the minute we’re all great, but it’s when you’re not doing well. And this time last year I had the full backing of the board and the vast majority of fans as well.

“Unfortunately in life, only the negative people are heard. On the internet sites and all that, you don’t really hear the positive stuff. For some reason, it’s only the negative stuff that’s heard.

“So we’ve got a lot of positive people around Motherwell. We’ve got a lot of supportive individuals, and as a group, as a whole, being very supportive to me. When you do hit that bad patch, you just hope people stick by you.

On looking ahead

“We’ve got a good group of young players. We’re trying to add players already for next season. We can look at people on pre-contracts now already and we’re looking at that.

“I’ve been down to England this week to watch other players that we feel can take the squad forward.

“So we’re just trying to keep building, trying to keep improving, trying to make the young boys better and educate them every day.”

Fans can buy tickets at Rugby Park on Saturday ahead of Kilmarnock v Motherwell.

Supporters are urged to buy early from the old Kilmarnock FC Fitness Centre on Rugby Road, directly across from the Chadwick Stand. Sales, which will be cash only, will start at 1pm.

There will also be a barrier entry system in place outside the Chadwick Stand turnstiles. Fans are advised to arrive early to avoid any unnecessary delays.

Motherwell fans who wish to purchase further in advance can buy from the Fir Park ticket office until 4pm on Friday.

There’s a live stream and live audio available from Kilmarnock v Motherwell this Saturday.

We’ve live video of the match available to viewers outside of the UK and Ireland for just £12 a month. Kick off is at 3pm GMT.

To subscribe and get all Motherwell home matches – and the majority of away games – head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk now and sign up.

If you’re in the UK or Ireland and can’t make it, don’t worry. We’ve also got live audio commentary of the match for just £5.99 a month.

Head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to sign up. Just choose the UK/Ireland commentary option.

2019/20 Motherwell streaming service matches

Kilmarnock are our opponents on Saturday, with Stephen Robinson’s side travelling to Rugby Park.

Here’s a closer look at our weekend opponents.

The story so far

The unexpected departure of manager Angelo Alessio on Tuesday afternoon is the topic on everyone’s minds going into this weekend’s fixture.

The early season exit from the UEFA Europa League at the hands of minnows Connah’s Quay Nomads was a severe early blow. But Killie have rallied to fifth in the table, with an impressive home record to boot.

Form guide

One win in their last eight fixtures tells its own story.

A solitary 3-0 victory over at Hearts has come in between draws with Hamilton, Hibernian and St Johnstone, as well as defeats to Livingston, Ross County, Aberdeen and Motherwell.

Three to watch

Dario Del Fabro

Having swapped Juventus for Kilmarnock this season, Dario Del Fabro is thriving in the physical environment of the Scottish Premiership.

The Italian defender has spent much of his career out on loan, with his only previous spell outside of his homeland coming when he spent a season on loan with Leeds United in 2014/15 where he managed just one appearance.

Del Fabro was the last Killie player to find the net in the Scottish Premiership, opening his goal scoring account in Scotland as he netted a last-gasp equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Hibernian two weeks ago.

Chris Burke

At the age of 36, Chris Burke continues to play a starring role at Rugby Park, often proving to be the talisman for Kilmarnock.

Last month, the former Cardiff and Rangers winger rolled back the years to bag a brace in the 3-0 victory over Hearts at Rugby Park. He scored the opener with a superbly executed finish and he turned provider for the second goal, delivering for Eamonn Brophy to head home.

The third goal demonstrated Burke’s abilities to drive forward and torment defences – bursting past a number players in the helpless Hearts backline and drilling the ball into the net.

Eamonn Brophy

Much of Killie’s recent struggles in the Scottish Premiership have been owed to their inability to score goals.

The Rugby Park side have failed to find the net in each of their last three league fixtures and so far this season have averaged less than a goal a game. It’s therefore perhaps of little surprise that despite only having found the net three times in the league this season, Eamonn Brophy tops the club’s scoring charts.

The Scotland striker was on target in a number of big wins last season for the Rugby Park side including winning goals against Hibs and Rangers and caretaker boss Alex Dyer will be hoping the 23-year-old can rediscover his scoring touch to help guide them back to winning ways.

Get your tickets in advance

Tickets are available online now or from the Fir Park ticket office.

Cash gates are currently not guaranteed to be available on the day, therefore pre-purchase is advised.

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

Can’t make it? Watch or listen live

If you’re outside the UK/Ireland, you can watch Kilmarnock v Motherwell and the majority of our Ladbrokes Premiership games this season on our live streaming service.

Priced at £12 a month, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to subscribe.

Wherever you are, there’s also live audio commentary available on our streaming service for £5.99 a month.

Our community trust’s Club365 programme, in conjunction with North Lanarkshire Council, gives school children the chance to come and play football and enjoy a hot lunch during school holidays.

Our next openings will run from Friday, 20 December to Sunday, 5 January, with the exceptions of 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January.

Food hampers will also be distributed to attending kids on 23 and 30 December, to provide food for the days Club365 is not running.

Primary school children entitled to school meals can attend. Kids can just turn up between 11.30am and 1.30pm to take part in our activities.

If you’re not in the vicinity in Fir Park, there are other Club365 programmes running throughout the county, which you can find out more about on the North Lanarkshire Council website.

For those who don’t receive free school meals, our festive football camp runs alongside Club365 between 9am and 3pm.

For more information or to book your child’s place, click here.

There are 6,500 children near Fir Park who are entitled to free school meals.

Some don’t get a meal when schools are closed for holidays.

For those times, we provide hot food and physical activity free of charge.https://t.co/iFrXW40bKt pic.twitter.com/sAshBT433V

— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) December 18, 2019

Motherwell reserves were held to a 1-1 draw, after visitors Hearts levelled the scoring with virtually the last kick of the ball.

Maurice Ross’ side had got themselves ahead courtesy of yet another goal from Ross MacIver. But despite several opportunities to extend that lead further, it remained at 1-0.

The sting in the tail would arrive in stoppage time, when Hearts forward Connor Smith leveled to earn his side a share of the spoils.

The Steelmen called upon the services of experienced duo Trevor Carson and Richard Tait for the match, with Barry Maguire, Jamie Semple, Christy Manzinga, David Devine and Dean Cornelius all able to call on first-team experience.

Hearts had the first opportunity of the half when Sean Ward scooped an effort over the bar after Leeroy Makovora had got himself in between Devine and Carson to create the chance.

Motherwell’s reply came just two minutes later in the form of Maguire. Semple’s diagonal pass had MacIver in space on the right flank. His squad pass was met by the onrushing Scotland Under 21 international, but he whipped a shot just inches over the crossbar.

The hosts were looking the more likely and Cole Starrs had the first effort on target shortly before the half hour mark. Latching onto a rebound, the young striker’s shot was comfortable stopped by Kevin Silva at his near post.

Hearts had their first effort on target six minutes later, Smith creating space for himself on the edge with a nice turn, but his low shot was well saved by Carson on the stretch.

It was end-to-end as the half-time interval approached. Semple had a low effort comfortably stopped by Silva after good work by Manzinga deep in opposition territory. At the other end, Carson was again on hand to save a long-range effort from Cameron Logan, beating away the shot at the expense of a corner.

The last effort of the half would fall to MacIver, who was again the recipient of an excellent cross field pass, this time from Maguire. The former Ross County man cut inside onto his left foot, but dragged a low shot wide.

It took 13 minutes for the second half to spark to life and only an excellent save by Silva kept the scores level.

Hearts had failed to deal with a corner and when Maguire hung up a cross to the back post, Devine’s header looked goalbound but the young American who turned it around. Manzinga headed the resulting Semple corner over the bar.

‘Well were getting close and closer and MacIver came within inches of putting his side ahead, headering a Semple cross off the top of the bar.

However, he wouldn’t be denied three minutes later. Tait found himself advanced on the right before hanging a neat cross towards the back post. Starrs header was bundled off the line, but MacIver was on hand to smash it home from close range.

‘Well could and should have extended that lead further. MacIver perhaps could and should have added to his tally, one chance flashing a shot wide of target, the next a free header straight at Silva.

Hearts weathered the storm and were getting back into the match, Carson having to save well from both Smith and substitute Charleston-King before eventually being beaten in stoppage time.

Smith collected a loose ball 25 yards from goal, danced past a couple of challenges before drilling the ball low and hard past Carson into the far corner to secure a point for the young Jambos.

Motherwell: Carson. Tait (MacDonald), Brown, Hussain, Devine, Maguire, MacIver, Cornelius (Hutchison), Manzinga, Starrs (Robertson), Semple

Not Used: Hemfrey, Hale, Kettings, Williamson

Adult tickets for our William Hill Scottish Cup tie at Dundee on Saturday, 18 January can be bought in advance for £15.

Fans have until 11 January to get a discounted price, with concession tickets priced at £10 and under 18s for just £5.

Tickets can be purchased now online and will be able to collect from Friday 20 December. Sales at the ticket office will also start on Friday.

From 12 January, ticket prices will increase to £20 for adults, £15 for concessions and £10 for under 18s.

Prices on the gate are £20 for adults and £15 for all concessions, including under 18s.

Kick-off in the tie is at 7.20pm. You can book a seat on our bus to Dens Park for £12 online now.

See out 2019 in style with one of our hospitality deals for our match with Hamilton Academical.

You can buy online right now for the match on Sunday 29 December. Alternatively, give our hospitality team a call on 01698 338012.

Centenary Suite

A two-course meal with half-time refreshments served within our Centenary Suite with main stand seating and a pay bar for £70 per person, or £45 per person for season ticket holders. A fully-inclusive bar is also available for £120 per person.

South Stand Boxes

Inclusive bar with two-course meal and half-time snacks with indoor seating for £70 per person for our beer and wine package, or £90 for our spirits, beer and wine package.

Davie Cooper Boxes

View the match from the comfort of one of our boxes at the top of the Davie Cooper Stand. With access to the Cooper Bar before and after the match, and half-time refreshments, tea, coffee, pies and cakes, our deal is available for £50 per person.

If you’re a season ticket holder, you can upgrade for £35 per person.

Millennium Suite

Enjoy hot snacks with half-time refreshments with main stand seating for £70 per person, with an inclusive bar one hour before and one hour following the match. We also have an offer for Under 18s priced at £35.

The dress code for all areas is smart, with no jeans, trainers or colours. To book, please phone our hospitality team on 01698 338012 or book online at tickets.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Motherwell take to the road for the first of two festive away fixtures, heading to take on Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Kick-off at Rugby Park is at 3pm.

Tale of the tape

It’s fourth against fifth in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Saturday, with Motherwell currently eight points ahead of their opponents in the table.

Stephen Robinson’s side lost at home to Rangers on Sunday past, ending a run of three successive victories and clean sheets earned in wins over St Johnstone, Hearts and St Mirren.

Kilmarnock meanwhile started their last batch of five matches with a 3-0 home win over Hearts. That was followed with draws with Hibernian and St Johnstone, before recent back-to-back defeats to Livingston and Ross County away from home.

They are, however, on an eight-game unbeaten run at home in the league, winning four and drawing four, conceding only three goals and keeping six clean sheets.

Head to head

Motherwell won the first encounter between the two sides in 2019/20, with Liam Donnelly and Devante Cole netting in a 2-1 victory at Fir Park.

Kilmarnock have won three of the last five matches against the Steelmen, with the other result a 0-0 draw on our last visit to Rugby Park.

The last time Motherwell claimed victory in Ayrshire was in March 2017. Carl McHugh and Zak Jules scored, cancelling out Kris Boyd’s opener, to give a 2-1 away win.

Get your tickets in advance

Tickets are available online now or from the Fir Park ticket office.

Cash gates are currently not guaranteed to be available on the day, therefore pre-purchase is advised.

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

Can’t make it? Watch or listen live

If you’re outside the UK/Ireland, you can watch Kilmarnock v Motherwell and the majority of our Ladbrokes Premiership games this season on our live streaming service.

Priced at £12 a month, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to subscribe.

Wherever you are, there’s also live audio commentary available on our streaming service for £5.99 a month.