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Only one foreign team in the world has a Copa del Rey – the main domestic cup of Spain – in its trophy cabinet.

The story of how it came to be Motherwell who still give the prize pride of place today is a lesser-told tale in the club’s history.

Runners up in the Scottish top flight in 1926/27, John Hunter’s team headed to mainland Europe as the invited guests of the RFEF to take part in a post-season special edition of the competition. Swansea City were also in tow on the trip, heading to Madrid to take part.

Real Union were the winners of the 1927 Copa del Rey, but the Steelmen would eventually be pitted against the might of Real Madrid at their home Estadio Chamartín, albeit with some players from other Spanish sides thrown in as special guests to bolster the hosts’ chances.

An all-British showdown first

With a special version of the trophy donated by King Alfonso XIII of Spain for the purposes of the competition, Motherwell and Swansea would face each other first for the right to be the foreign guests in the final.

It would also mark the first time two sides from the United Kingdom would face each other on Spanish soil, with the Scots running out 4-3 winners in what was described by the King in publications as being a “brilliant display of scientific football”.

Lying in wait were Real Madrid, and some friends. Los Blancos were yet to register the first of their 33 La Liga titles by that time, with the national league not being formed until two years later, but had won five Copa del Rey trophies in what was still their early years.

The (unofficial) 1927 Copa del Rey final

Yes, the match between Motherwell and Real Madrid was for an unofficial version of the Copa del Rey, but it presented the unique opportunity to claim the trophy on foreign soil.

Two days after the win over Swansea City, 17 May 1927 saw the Steelmen face Los Merengues on their own turf and run out 3-1 winners. In doing so, they joined Dundee and Dundee United in being a Scottish club to win in Madrid in the 1920s. But only one returned with such prestigious silverware.

It wouldn’t be the only trophy Motherwell would take home too. A trip to Barcelona followed a few days later and, after a 2-2 draw with the Catalan side, a 1-0 win over Swansea – again – also saw the club presented the Barcelona Cup.

We have finished third in the 2019/20 Ladbrokes Premiership.

Following the decision of SPFL clubs and the league board on Monday, the campaign has been brought to a halt without completing all scheduled fixtures.

With the final table being calculated on a points per game basis, Motherwell retain third spot in the league and record the club’s highest league finish since coming second in 2014.

We have been nominated as one of Scotland’s participants for the 2020/21 UEFA Europa League qualifying round.

“It is an incredible achievement to finish third in the Premiership,” manager Stephen Robinson said.

“Regardless of how it came to an end, this squad have earned their place with their performances across the season.

“Our target every year is to stay in the division, although we always have aspirations to surpass that.

“But to come third given the parameters we work under, and the quality of the teams we have finished above, speaks volumes for the hard working, talented group of players and staff we have.”

Motherwell completed 30 league games from a scheduled 38 in the 2019/20 season, accumulating 46 points, winning 14 matches and scoring 41 goals.

Applying the formula adopted by the SPFL, we averaged 1.5333 points per game, compared to 1.5 by Aberdeen in fourth, and 2.3103 by Rangers in second.

“The season may not have ended with a last-game finale, but our sense of achievement remains,” chairman Jim McMahon said.

“We would have preferred to have played the season in full. But nevertheless, this is a great feat by Stephen, Keith, the coaching staff and the team. We are incredibly proud.

“During difficult times, we can reflect on the good moments the team brought us across the season in reaching third spot. Football is not the priority in these difficult times. But it gives us a common purpose from which we can draw some comfort.

“We can also look forward to playing European football again, whenever that may be.

“But most crucially, our club – and Scottish football as a whole – can now be focused fully on trying to get playing again at the earliest, safest opportunity.

“The support from all our fans throughout the season has been as outstanding as ever and has played a huge part in what we’ve done. I am certain we will show the same unity to help us come through the next challenges together.”

Following the publication of an SPFL EGM vote on a resolution calling for an independent investigation, I set out below how Motherwell FC voted and why we came to that decision.

Firstly, and contrary to various reports in the press, the board did not reach a conclusion until the weekend. This came after we had spent the appropriate time reviewing all the documentation which was supplied to clubs.

As I have said before, the situation we are in has no precedent. So it is no surprise that we are all, from Government down to individuals, struggling to make sense of where we find ourselves and how best we get through. Good answers are not easy to find.

It is against that backdrop that we reviewed the evidence. The key decision the SPFL board took was to propose a resolution to “call” the leagues other than the Premiership, and giving itself the power to do the latter in due course. Their rationale was twofold.

1) It was extremely unlikely this season could be finished.

2) In those circumstances the most important aspect was to protect, as far as possible, next season.

As a club we felt that was the correct decision at the time and it has been confirmed over the past weeks. There are now no credible voices still arguing that the 2019/20 season can be completed.

Did the evidence produced meet the high threshold required to merit an independent review of that decision and indeed an open-ended and unlimited enquiry into the whole corporate governance of the SPFL? In our view it did not.

We also took into account two other factors in our decision not to support the resolution.

Is this the appropriate time to divert resource into an investigation? In our view, it is not and we are surprised by the amount of effort and energy devoted to this topic at a time when Scottish football faces an existential crisis.

Secondly, it is very likely that a large number of clubs will need significant help to get to the other side of this, which might in turn entail accessing money from external sources. The chance of getting that sort of funding is much reduced if we continue to fight in public. For that reason, can we not all come together as a group to try and get the best possible outcome?

If in due course, when we are through this crisis, clubs feel that there should be a review of how the structure and operation of the SPFL could be improved, then we would support that and would be happy to be involved.

Jim McMahon
Chairman

Our event to raise funds for local causes on Saturday 9 May runs from 12pm to just past midnight.

We’re streaming classic Motherwell moments throughout the day to raise money for Chris’s House, the Motherwell FC Community Trust and The Well Society.

You can still donate to help us reach our target. Our virtual kiosk will be open all throughout the day, you can enter our signed shirt draw and also keep making donations if you can.

Please donate here.

To watch along, head to our Facebook page from 12pm on Saturday.

To encourage as much donations as possible, we will live stream to all who wish to watch.

We’ve been lucky enough to find rarely-seen footage from throughout our history, going back as far as 1921 Scottish Cup matches against Ayr United and Partick Thistle.

There are some real treats for Motherwell fans to enjoy throughout the day.  You can follow our schedule to see what you want to see, or rewind and playback at any point.

Schedule

Why we are doing this

We live in unprecedented times, with the spread of Covid-19 costing people their lives, causing many others to fall ill, putting strain on key workers and also creating difficult life conditions for the general population through uncertainty over employment, money and health, and also having a psychological impact due to the current social isolation guidelines.

We want to use our platform, our supporter base and our reach to the wider world to raise money to help those affected as a consequence of what is happening.

This fundraising initiative is operated on behalf of the Motherwell FC Community Trust. All donations will also be subject to Gift Aid, which will see us being able to reclaim tax to add a further 25p to our total for every £1 spent. It will not cost you any extra.

“The current situation is having a real and immediate impact on people’s lives,” Motherwell FC chief executive Alan Burrows said.

“We want to use our platform to raise money to try and offer support in the areas we’ve identified – namely Chris’s House, who work tirelessly to help with the mental health issues which may come from current circumstances, and also our Community Trust, who amongst other things are continuing to ensure food is available for local children who may go without some meals while schools are off.

“We have set an initial target which we hope people will see as a challenge we can all get involved in to hit. All donations will go towards making a huge impact in the local community as we try and get through this together.”

Our causes

Chris’s House

Primarily, this is why we have partnered with Chris’s House. Chris’s House stands for ‘Centre of Help, Response and Intervention Surrounding Suicide’ and has been set up to offer a safe environment where people in crisis may have a respite from their current unwellness, by finding refuge in Chris’s House and involvement in an individually tailored programme to offer support and respite through their journey.

Their aims are to reduce the number of people dying as a result of mental health, to support those affected by suicide and raise awareness of it, to work in partnership with other agencies in Scotland that could help with their aims, and to reduce stigma and ‘taboo’ around suicide and mental health.

The current situation will be having an untold and profound impact on people’s mental health, during a time where the majority of our time has to be spent indoors. We want to support Chris’s House to help people who need their support and expertise.

Chris’s House was founded by Anne Rowan, a Wishaw mum with a passionate vision for a crisis centre established in memory of her son Chris, whom she lost to suicide in 2011 at the age of 36. In the years following Chris’s death, Anne experienced an overwhelming sense of guilt. Her hair fell out, she lost her balance and couldn’t go out unaided.

She turned her attention to taking action – through the creation of Chris’s House, a ‘Centre for Help, Response and Intervention Surrounding Suicide’. It is the first 24 hour, non-medical crisis centre in Scotland offering integrated support. The cosy rooms have each been carefully designed to offer guests an environment they can feel comfortable in. The generosity of families that have been touched by the work Chris’s House have accomplished have raised the funds or made donations to allow for the space offer calm and wellbeing.

Motherwell FC Community Trust

Our own Community Trust are also working hard to support local people during these difficult times. Primarily, through funding, they are helping to provide a range of food packages throughout the area, addressing holiday hunger for local school children.​

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

As well as being a vital point of call for resources and support for the local population, they are also continuing to deliver coaching programmes to hundreds of children who normally train at Fir Park on a daily basis, with classes now being delivered online by our first team players.

The Well Society

Then, finally, The Well Society is the fan-ownership group which owns Motherwell Football Club. Any supporter can join to become a part-owner of their club, and we are raising money to help support them and, in turn, the club as it continues to plan for the future during the present uncertainty, as well as to offer assistance in the club’s continued outreach in the area during these times.

Buy your “tickets” now and donate to our Motherwell v Covid-19 fundraising.

I wanted to provide you all with a further update on what we are doing as a club to manage through the crisis and to highlight the exceptional work in the local community our supporters have been carrying out.

Thanks to the sterling efforts of our Community Trust, and funding from key external partners, we were able to deliver over £5,000 worth of food to people who need it most in our local area. Our fans volunteered their time and effort, once again showing that we pull together and support each other in the moments of greatest need.

Our fundraising efforts for the Community Trust, as well as the vitally-important local suicide intervention charity Chris’s House, also continue. You’ve donated close to £10,000 already in such a short space of time as we try and reach our target of £13,742 and I urge anyone who can make any contribution at all to do so to support very important causes.

Our season ticket sales continue to move apace. We are fast approaching 1,500 purchases after just over three weeks, with fans continuing to demonstrate their commitment to the club in uncertain times. This compares to the 327 season tickets that were sold after three weeks last year. Our message remains the same – please buy if you can afford to, but only if you can.

Unfortunately, we are still without the clarity we are all seeking on when we may resume playing football. Our view is that we have to plan for a long delay, but hope and be ready for a shorter one.

The board continues to work to best safeguard the club’s finances and to plan for all potential scenarios. The vast majority of our staff and our playing squad are furloughed as we make use of the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and this makes a significant difference to our financial stability.

Some core staff have been retained to continue the club’s ongoing operations and to help plan for what comes next.

All that is left is to wish you, your family and your friends continued good health during these unprecedented times. We all know how hard this is. And we all know that the only way we will get through it well is by staying strong and in touch with one another like this.

Our club is a family, like never before.

Jim McMahon
Chairman

According to MIND Charity, one in six people report experiencing a common mental health problem in any given week — with anxiety being one of the most common conditions faced.

So what does anxiety really feel like? How does it impact on daily life? And, with coronavirus currently dominating world news, how do we cope at a time of extreme uncertainty?

Here are four ways to help from our official health and wellbeing partner Paycare.

Eat Well & Stay Hydrated

Changes in our routine can impact our nutritional habits, and we’re all certainly experiencing big changes in our way of life right now.

Making sure the body is well fuelled and hydrated is hugely important — it impacts on various aspects of our wellbeing, from our sleep and focus, to our motivation and ability to deal with emotions.

Eating a balanced and varied diet prevents the highs and lows of blood sugar too, which is shown to have a positive impact on reducing levels of anxiety.

Fruit juice, caffeine, fizzy drinks, energy drinks and alcohol are some of the top drinks you should avoid if you have anxiety, but if you do decide to have any of them just remember that it’s all about moderation.

Dedicate time to making sure you eat well and regularly so that your blood sugar levels are kept at a stable level, and that you drink plenty of water too.

Maintain Your Health Needs

If you need to take medication, it’s key to keep taking these, even though you may feel anxiety about leaving the house for this purpose.

Remember that you can usually reorder prescriptions by phone, online, or via drop-off points at your local pharmacy or doctors, so you don’t need to come into contact with others. If you’re a Paycare Policyholder, don’t forget to check if you have access to their GP 24/7 service as part of your plan.

If before self-isolating you carried out things that made you feel like the best version of you — for example, if you found that meditation or yoga helped you to maintain a fresh mindset — it’s important that you continue to put time aside for these feel-good activities.

Talk About Your Worries

It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed and anxious sometimes, but when it impacts on your daily life to the point where you have no focus, no motivation, and no desire to take care of your own needs, it’s important to talk about how you’re feeling.

When we can’t see or be around our loved ones like before, we can feel even more isolated, but remember you’re not alone and there is a network of support still available to help you through.

Make use of phone calls, email, online chats, social media, or texts to engage with someone you trust, or there are digital tools that could help such as the Hub of Hope app, created by the mental health charity Chasing the Stigma which provides a list of local mental health organisations.

If you’d prefer to open up confidentially, Anxiety UK, MIND, Samaritans, and SANE can help, as well as Employee Assistance Programmes. As a Paycare Policyholder, you can access their dedicated service if it’s part of your plan — log in to your MyPaycare area.

If you think people you know may need support, simply check-in with them to see how they’re doing — it might just be you that they want to open up to.

Focus on What You Can Control a Happy Environment

If you’re not already used to working from home, you might find it tricky to balance the two in the same environment.

Depending on your own personal preferences, you might find that keeping a tidy home and workspace can help you feel more in control of the two areas of your life, and able to enjoy your surroundings a little more, which is especially important when we don’t know how long we’ll be at home.

While these are just four things that can I believe can help to manage anxiety effectively, remember that you know yourself best, so do trial and test things to see how you feel and whether they are helping you to feel more in control during this worrying time.

To see more useful tips for staying healthy mind, body and soul during the coronavirus pandemic, you can connect with Paycare on Twitter and Facebook.

Our volunteers have been out delivering food parcels to vulnerable families in Craigneuk and Forgewood.

Fans have turned out in force to help those in the local area, with the Community Trust, The Well Society and Lanarkshire Community Food Partnership working to address hunger for families.

Over £5,000 of food has been delivered in one day. Thank you to everyone who offered their services to be able to get food and other essential items out to those who need it most.

The project is funded by Radio Clyde’s Cash for Kids, Foundation Scotland and Martin Lewis.

We’re raising further money for our Community Trust, as well as local charity Chris’s House and The Well Society.

If you can donate anything at all, please find out more and pledge here.

Needing some extra inspiration for helping teach your kids while staying at home?

We’ve put together some Motherwell-inspired homework sheets for you to try out.

We’ve got four tasks available to download and print out:

• Colouring-in book
• Geography
• History
• Maths

Enjoy!

There are many ways to pay for your 2020/21 Motherwell FC season ticket.

If you can, you can pay in full now by visiting tickets.motherwellfc.co.uk. If you’ve never logged in to the website before, follow this guide if you are an existing season ticket holder. If you’re buying new, please create a new account.

Alternatively, you can buy over the phone by calling 01698 333333. Please be patient, as we have limited telephone sales capacity at this time.

You can also email tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk and ask us to call you back.

Pay by standing order

You can pay for your season ticket in four instalments from May to August by using our standing order facility. Forms are available here, or you can call 01698 333333 and we will get you set up. If you’re filling out a form, you can scan it and email it to tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk or post it to the club.

Please note that standing orders are only available on our full season ticket prices, and can not be used for our early bird rate.

Finance

Finance is again available to spread your cost over 12 months at an interest rate of 19.5% through our partners Duologi.

To apply, please call us on 01698 333333.

Prices

* Concession pricing applies if you’re aged 16-18, aged 60 or over, or you’re a full-time student.

Read our brochure

I hope you and your family remain safe and well during this period of lockdown.

In this time of continuing uncertainty, I would like to update you on two key areas relating to the football club.

Season tickets

Firstly, a huge thank you to all of our supporters who have already bought season tickets.

We are massively ahead of where we were last year. As of this morning, we have sold approximately 1,000 tickets, many of them new season ticket holders, as well as fans renewing from last year.

Those sales compare with 187 in the same time period last year, demonstrating how much our fans have stepped up during exceptional times to back us.

As a fan-owned club, your support is always extremely important, but none more so in times like these. We have no wealthy benefactors, we depend on ourselves – and this is a vital part of our income.

All we can do is try and steward the club’s finances as best we possibly can and to plan for all potential scenarios that we can think of. We will keep you closely engaged in our thinking as it develops.

How the country copes and adapts to the impact of Covid-19 and more importantly, how we defeat it is an ever-changing landscape. In this situation we need to be completely transparent about the total lack of clarity, which still remains, on when we might resume.

We don’t want any fan to buy a season ticket if they can’t afford to. However, if you can, then it would be another powerful sign of our absolute determination together to get through this period.

League reconstruction

Now that league reconstruction is back on Scottish football’s agenda, it is important for us as a club to gather as many views from our supporters to help set out the club’s position.

Although we will approach any discussions with an open mind and with a view on compromise, the club board wish to engage properly in terms of any proposed new structure as part of our own process.

The board have already debated and agreed some core principles that we hope will form part of the SPFL’s task force, headed by two very capable individuals in Les Gray from Hamilton Academical and Ann Budge at Heart of Midlothian.

We believe quick decisions can often be bad ones. ‘Something needs to be done‘ is not the best methodology to apply. We should be as imaginative as possible and look at a number of different options – not just the obvious ones and immediately box ourselves into a corner around one particular structure.

Our hope is that the talks within the task force and a vote, if there is one, remain constructive. Any change should make the game in Scotland more attractive to all the stakeholders, principally the supporters.

It has to make the game better in the long term for fans. It also needs to consider the various potential scenarios for restarting the game, their implications for member clubs and therefore how the league and game as a whole navigate it accordingly.

The Well Society will shortly conduct their own consultation with members to help us shape our thoughts on what reconstruction should look like from the standpoint of our supporters as owners of our club.

Jim McMahon
Chairman