I’M HOME. Two words which need little explanation when it comes to Louis Moult.
The day after a fraught and frantic transfer deadline day, the 30-year-old pulled up outside somewhere his heart has perhaps never left. Four years ago he departed for Preston North End, but a bit of Moult was always at Fir Park.
That was evident as he walked towards the Phil O’Donnell Stand, proclaiming those two words, before striding inside.
It’s understandable that this football love affair continues to blossom, given how it blossomed during a breath- taking first spell which commenced in 2015.
Over the next two-and-a-half seasons, Moult netted more times than a North Sea fisherman with 48 goals, including a never-to-be-forgotten four goals in the one game to humiliate Hamilton Academical.
Since then, time at Deepdale and at Burton has brought more goals, but also frustration as injury has restricted the talents that Scottish defences cursed. But now back at Motherwell, Moult is ready to embrace some home comforts again.
“To be honest me and Alan Burrows were in contact,” said Moult. “We are anyway, but since leaving Preston we’ve probably been that bit closer in how much we talk to each other.
“It was one of those things. I always wanted to come back to Motherwell at some point in my career, my understanding was Motherwell wanted me back, too. I wanted it to happen, they wanted it to happen, and it was pleasing we managed to get the deal done.
“There were times where I thought it wasn’t going to happen. I was a bit down in the dumps at times, but all parties came together to make it happen which I was delighted about.”
Social media lit up with just an hour to go in the Scottish window as rumours started to circulate of a potential Motherwell/Moult reunion.
Indeed, it appeared to all that it was nothing but false hope as both the English and Scottish windows slammed/creaked shut without a sign of him holding up a claret and amber jersey.
Yet, a deal had in fact been done. Just.
“The experience was crazy,” explained the 30-year-old. “Talks were ongoing for two to three weeks towards the end of the window then it all seemed to quieten down. There were a few things going on at my end and at Motherwell’s end. That’s how these things happen, really.
“It wasn’t until deadline day where I knew it was happening. It was probably about an hour, maybe two hours to go before the deadline when it actually started to move.
“There’s a picture of me in my living room signing on the dotted line with my wife about 20 minutes before the deadline. That’s literally how quickly it happened, I’m sure Alan Burrows said it all went through with about three minutes to spare.
“My adrenaline has been sky high since joining due to the deadline day stuff, it’s been such a high.
“When I came up, I remember walking into the ground with them filming, I just said ‘I’m home’. It was off the cuff, it wasn’t planned, that’s just how it felt.
“Walking in and seeing how good a nick the ground is, the pitch looks unbelievable and they’ve obviously spent money around the place. It looks brilliant. The changing rooms look great, too.
“They’ve got a thing in there where if you hit a 100-game milestone they put your name up on the wall, little things like that make Motherwell the club that it is. I’m on 98, so hopefully I’ll be up there soon.”
Moult himself acknowledges it was a difficult decision to part when Preston came calling for him.
Signed from Wrexham in 2015, the striker would go on to gain hero status among the Motherwell support. Every fan has their own favourite Moult memory, whether those four goals against Accies or THAT lob as part of a brace in the League Cup semi-final against Rangers.
However, the opportunity to move to a big club in his homeland was too big a chance for him and his young family to turn down.
Due to injury, only 40 games were racked up in blue and white during a frustrating period at Preston, but Moult’s talents and eye for goal still claimed eight goals and the adulation of the North End support before his switch to Burton last year.
“It has been difficult, yeah,” he said.
“Going to Preston was good for me and my family. I had a few tough times off the field with injuries, but I also learned a great deal by joining that football club.
“I had good times as well. I managed to break into the team and score some goals which, now that I look back on it, I’m proud of that. Very, very proud of that.
“Yeah, I’d have liked to do it on a more regular basis, I’d have liked to stay fit for longer and played football a lot more, but that’s football. Sometimes you can’t put your finger on these things.
“Ever since leaving Motherwell, the support I’ve received has been incredible. I’ve had so many messages on social media and also had people coming down to Preston and Burton to watch and support me. I’ve never forgotten that.
“I said to my wife when we left Motherwell ‘One day, we’re going to have to come back and pick up where we left off’. If I can now do that now, it’ll be brilliant.
Motherwell fans will already be dreaming of seeing Moult link-up with the current squad to see what damage they can do this season.
During his previous spell at Fir Park, the 30-year-old formed an incredible partnership with Ryan Bowman which got Motherwell to two finals in the one season under Stephen Robinson. A purple patch was also hit prior to that with Scott McDonald.
So far, the opportunity to get his name up on that wall in the dressing room has not appeared for the forward. The late deal on deadline day meant there was no chance to feature against Dundee United, while the passing of Her Majesty the Queen last week brought Scottish football to a halt as a mark of respect.
But Moult is ready and waiting to show Motherwell fans what they’ve been missing if given the nod.
“With the Dundee United game, it was due to how late the deal got done that I didn’t play. It was just a bit too soon.
“But all being well, I’m just looking forward to getting on the pitch.
“It’s unfortunate what happened last weekend that meant the Ross County game was off, but obviously we all understand it.
“Hopefully this weekend I can get on the pitch and get the three points. I just can’t wait to get back out there for Motherwell.”
Speaking about what he’s seen so far, and the potential of a mouth-watering Moult/Kevin van Veen double act in attack for the Steelmen, the former Stoke City striker added: “After training with the boys and seeing how they played against Dundee United, I saw how we want to play. It’s pleasing because they’re link- up play was brilliant and we’re creating a lot of chances.
“I’m really excited for it. You say about my partnership with Ryan Bowman, previous to that it was with Scott McDonald. Some of the things I’ve seen of Kev’s game are quite similar, especially Ryan Bowman.
“So yeah, I’m looking forward to helping the team and the club again.”
Some things have changed around the place since Moult left in 2018. The pitch is flat for a start. But there’s a few familiar faces that played a key role in his return.
“Once the deal got done I sent the ‘gaffer’ a picture”, said Moult of his new manager Steven Hammell, whom he played with in claret and amber before leaving. “I think I put it up on my social media as well of me celebrating beating someone at Fir Park and me and Hammy are having a nice little cuddle.
“It’s very, very pleasing to play for him. It’s good that I already understand him as a guy and know what kind of person he is. He’s a good person and wants the best for Motherwell, like all of us.
“That was a big key factor in me coming back to the football club, as well as my relationship with Alan Burrows, the fans, the community. It’s always something I wanted to do and I can’t wait to give it my all.”
