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In March 2020, life ground to a halt as the Covid-19 pandemic swept the country.

For Motherwell FC, it meant a successful season was curtailed early. A third-place finish and European football were secured, but there would be no celebrations with supporters to mark the occasion.

As uncertainty persisted, life returned to some form in the summer as the team got back together.

What followed in 2020/21 is a story of carrying on with no fans, unique and difficult challenges, battles with mental health and a year that will leave a lasting impact on all.

This is the story of the Covid-19 pandemic, in the words of our players.

Scott Fox has signed a new one-year deal with the club.

The goalkeeper, who joined last summer, will now be with us until the end of the 2021/22 season.

“We’re glad to have Scott with us again for the new season,” manager Graham Alexander said.

“He’s shown great strength to get back from injury and has impressed on and off the pitch.

“It was great to see him get games in before the end of the season and we’re looking forward to having him with the group again.”

Fox was on the bench three times at the start of the 2020/21 campaign before suffering a knee injury, which was expected to rule him out for the full season.

However he made his return in mid-May, taking up a place amongst the substitutes for the final two matches of the season before going on loan to Morton for their vital relegation play-off match with Airdrieonians.

Fox played both matches and kept two clean sheets, ensuring the ‘Ton remained in the Scottish Championship.

Motherwell ended the SWPL1 season with a 8-0 home defeat to Celtic.

The women of steel were well beaten by a determined Celtic side who were looking to claim the league title.

The visitors knew going into this match that goal difference could determine if they would wrestle the title from Glasgow City and fielded a very attacking side.

Celtic broke the deadlock after five minutes. Kay Nicholson picked up the ball 30 yards out and decided to have a shot, which flew into the top corner.

Three minutes later, Celtic doubled their advantage. A free-kick was sent into the box, Pollard came out from her net but Sarah Ewens got there before her to finish.

On 20 minutes, Motherwell had the ball in the Celtic half and were caught on the counter-attack. Bowie burst down the wing and played the ball into Anna Filbey, who finished past the keeper.

Celtic scored again on 29 minutes, Bowie again caused trouble down the wing and played it across for Chloe Craig, who made no mistake.

Motherwell conceded again just before half-time, Pollard came out of her goal and couldn’t grasp the ball and her namesake London Pollard pounced to make it five with her knee.

Celtic came out firing for the second half and quickly got their next goal. Fibley made it a double, rounding the keeper to slot home with sixth.

Celtic captain Clark made it seven when she powered home a header from a corner, and Lisa Robertson had the final word, netting after Celtic hit the post and Pollard made a great save.

The result means Celtic finish second and qualify for the Champions League, with Glasgow City’s win over Rangers ensuring the title could not be won by Fran Alonso’s side.

Motherwell finish sixth in the league ahead of Forfar Farmington and Hearts after a strong run in.

The ‘Well will be playing in the top flight again next season and will begin a new era under incoming boss Paul Brownlie.

Introducing the Motherwell FC home kit for the 2021/22 season.

This year’s strip will mark our homecoming to Fir Park, after spending the last campaign without fans in the stadium.

The fresh, pared-down kit also harks back to our past with the claret band now extending to the back of the shirt, breaking for the name and number.

You can pre-order your 2021/22 kit now. Pre-order deliveries will arrive in mid-July.

This kit is all about the detail.

We know how important our colours are. Now it’s emblazoned on the inside of the neck too, with our necktape stating “claret and amber colours true”.

A new rubberised silicon badge allows for a sharper design, colour and increased comfort. Plus there’s claret and amber flashes throughout our kit on the collar and cuffs.

We return to claret shorts, with an amber side panel with white trim. The socks also have our claret, amber and white detail, with a claret top and amber bottom.

Not-for-profit health cash plan provider Paycare again sponsor our kit, while we continue to raise awareness of the importance of the anti-suicide message on our sleeve through North Lanarkshire Suicide Prevention. Glen’s Vodka also feature once again on the back of the neck.

Motherwell end the 2020/21 SWPL1 season with a home tie against Celtic on Sunday.

Kick-off at the Penny Cars Stadium is at 4.10pm.

Fans will not be able to attend. The game will be broadcast live on BBC Sport Scotland.

Title on the line

Motherwell could have a direct influence on the destination of the SWPL1 title.

Celtic sit three points behind perennial leaders Glasgow City going into the final match.

Victory for Fran Alonso’s side, paired with defeat for City to Champions League-chasing Rangers and a three-goal swing, could see Celtic end City’s 13-year run as champions.

For Motherwell, finishing sixth is at stake, with Forfar Farmington sitting one point behind as they travel to Hibernian.

Tale of the tape

Motherwell’s first match in the top flight was a 0-0 draw at Celtic in March 2019.

Since then, Sunday’s visitors have had the upper hand, winning the last four.

Form guide

Celtic have won nine of their last 10 matches to put themselves in title contention.

A 0-0 draw with league leaders Glasgow City was the only time points were dropped, in a run which saw them score 35 and concede just two.

Motherwell’s 1-0 win at Hearts was the only win in the last five, with four defeats coming against Hibernian, Glasgow City, Rangers and Spartans.

Charles Dunne has agreed to join St Mirren.

The popular defender, who joined Motherwell in the summer of 2017, had been invited to join the group for pre-season, with his deal at Fir Park expiring this summer.

However, the 28-year-old will now move to the Paisley club.

Dunne was a signing in the summer of 2017, transferring from Oldham Athletic.

The left-sided central defender went on to make 45 appearances in his debut season in claret and amber, and was a starter in both the League and Scottish Cup finals that campaign.

Playing 26 times the following season, injury would then restrict him to just seven appearances in 2019/20, and then was forced to miss the majority of the last season, returning to the bench in the final matches.

We thank Charles for all of his contributions while with Motherwell and wish him all the very best for the future.

Dean Cornelius and David Devine have signed new two-year contracts with the club.

The youth academy products, who have both already made first-team appearances, have extended their stays until the summer of 2023.

“We hope both boys take this opportunity to push hard towards getting in our first team,”manager Graham Alexander said.

“They’re both talented and motivated lads and it’s a big year for them.

“They’re at an age where they have to be competing with the senior pros and I believe they have the right mentality to do that.

“We look forward to helping them with this challenge.”

Cornelius, 20, made his debut for his boyhood club in May 2019 against Livingston, and followed it up with an appearance away to Dundee United in late 2020.

Recruited from Hibernian’s academy in the summer of 2018, he has made his appearances in central midfield for the first team, but has also featured at right-back at reserve level.

Central defender Devine made his debut in the same fixture against Livingston in May 2019 and has been involved in a large number of matchday squads since.

Motherwell will kick off the 2021/22 season with a trip to face Queen’s Park.

The opening Premier Sports Cup group stage match will take place on Wednesday 14 July. It will be broadcast live on Premier Sports with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Graham Alexander’s men will then host Queen of the South on Saturday 17 July at 3pm.

The Lanarkshire derby away to Airdrieonians follows on Tuesday 20 July. The match, which starts at 7.45pm, will also be broadcast live on Premier Sports.

The group stage campaign then ends with a home match with Annan Athletic on Saturday 24 July at 3pm.

Information on supporter attendance at matches, as well as live streaming of home games, will be made available at the earliest opportunity.

2021/22 Premier Sports Cup group stage fixtures