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Motherwell goalscoring machine Willie MacFadyen is the second inductee in the 2022 Hall of Fame.

MacFadyen will be a familiar name to most Motherwell fans given his goalscoring exploits during the 1920s and 1930s.

A local lad from Overton, a seventeen-year-old Willie signed for the Steelmen in 1921 from Wishaw YMCA. However, despite his obvious talent and eye for goal, he didn’t make his debut for another two years, albeit enjoyed a couple of loans at Bo’ness and Clyde.

It was an unenviable task for any young striker who wore the claret and amber in the 1920s as the team boasted a forward line which included another Scottish football goalscoring icon in Hughie Ferguson, as well as Willie Tennant, John Cameron and George Banks all vying for a position in John Hunter’s ever-improving side.

MacFadyen found himself in various areas of the park, including right-half for a spell, before returning him to the front line for 1929/30.

However, it would be the following season which would set off the truck load of goals which would flow throughout the years as the Fir Parkers went on to dominate most of Scottish football.

Willie was a strong and pacy forward, ideal for a central striking berth in the 1930s. With the mercurial talents of fellow Hall of Famers Bobby Ferrier and George Stevenson, together with Johnny Murdoch and John McMenemy beside him, Motherwell and their “famous five” would on many occasions hammer teams by five, six, seven, or even sometimes more goals.

In that unforgettable 1931/32 championship winning season, Willie managed to score an amazing 52 goals in 34 games, including a double against Clyde on the last day of the campaign that edged him just ahead of the previous all-time league scoring record for a season set by Celtic’s Jimmy McGrory.

Over 90 years have passed since that achievement and the record for league goals in one season still has not been beaten.

Incredibly, despite scoring 235 goals in 378 league games for Motherwell, supporters, teammates, and anyone who was fortunate enough to see him play often mused that Willie would somehow miss more chances than he scored!  Hard to believe given he is comfortably in the top ten all-time leading Scottish marksmen.

As the season’s progressed, and that league winning team was slowly broken up, Willie became more of a bit part and midway through the 1936/37 campaign, he was allowed to leave, but at least by then he had rattled in thirteen goals for the ‘Well as a departing gift.

Willie joined English outfit Huddersfield Town; he was exchanged for the recently departed Duncan Ogilvie. MacFadyen returned to Fir Park with Huddersfield to play in a Ben Ellis benefit match in Motherwell, the final score was 2-2 and of course, Willie got the Huddersfield goals.

He managed to help them get to the FA Cup final but sadly, his side were defeated 1-0 in extra time by Preston North End in 1938. He’d also go on to feature for Clapton Orient (now Leyton Orient) who’s luck in Cup competition was no better than his former clubs, this was his last playing venue before the outbreak of World War II.

Willie was in the RAF as a PT Instructor and played for the RAF alongside the legendary Stanley Matthews. On his return to Scotland, he became manager of then Second Division Dundee United.

Willie sadly died aged 68 in Birmingham in 1972. Although fifty years have elapsed since his passing, and over 85 since he last pulled on the claret and amber, he is still fondly remembered by everyone at Motherwell FC.

His contribution to our club is unquestionably amongst the most significant in our 136-year history. He rightfully joins other legends, and some of his former teammates, already inducted in the Motherwell FC’s Hall of Fame.

Words inspired by the brilliant MotherwellNet.

Our highly-anticipated Hall of Fame dinner will welcome its fourth batch of inductees this November.

The event, launched in 2019, has already paid special tribute to the legendary names of the club’s long and distinguished history.

For the first time, the dinner will take place at Dalziel Park Hotel on Friday 18 November, with host Tam Cowan inducted five new names, with Willie MacFadyen joining the already-announced Keith Lasley.

The event is priced at £64 for adults and £30 for children aged under 12.

You can buy tickets for the dinner online here now or contact the commercial department on 01698 338 011.

The final three legends of the 2022 class of inductees will be revealed shortly, joining:

* Please note that some of the colourful language on the night may not be appropriate for young children or those easily offended.

Rangers kept their undefeated streak alive after capitalising on four clinical strikes to condemn Motherwell to defeat at a windswept Broadwood Stadium.

Lizzie Arnot prodded home the opener midway through the first half, before Kirsty Howat doubled Rangers’ advantage minutes after half time. Brogan Hay tucked home the third seven minutes later before Kayla McCoy secured all three points with the final kick of the game.

Motherwell looked to frustrate the hosts from the off, narrowing the play and making it difficult for Rangers to break through the resolute Motherwell backline.

Rangers were certainly the likelier of the two sides to find the opener after controlling much of the early exchanges. Tessel Middag’s low enticing delivery was superbly controlled by Kerr deep into the Motherwell penalty area, but the midfielder couldn’t apply the finishing touches.

The hosts continued to threaten and almost netted the opener soon after. A magnificent piece of skill from Brogan Hay allowed her to effortlessly break through the Motherwell defence before picking out Kirsty Howat lurking at the back post, but the forward couldn’t convert what was a gilt-edged opportunity.

Motherwell continued to deflect wave after wave of attacking threat in the opening 30 minutes, but the hosts quality eventually prevailed as they found the breakthrough midway through the first half.

Debutant Maddie Nolf was left in acres of space on the right of the Motherwell penalty area before curling an excellent delivery across the face of goal, and Arnot was on hand to prod her effort beyond the reach of Emily Mutch.

As the second half resumed, Rangers added a second. A quick interchange of play at the edge of the box somehow found its way through to the feet of Howat, who looked as if she had strayed into a clear offside position, but the referee waved play on and the forward calmly dispatched her strike into the bottom left corner.

Seven minutes later, Rangers had their third. An exceptional piece of individual skill from Hay allowed her to skip past several Motherwell players, before shifting the ball onto her right foot and curling a precise effort into the bottom corner.

Motherwell toiled late on in search of a late consolation. Substitute Kaela McDonald-Nguah’s long-range attempt had Jenna Fife scrambling in the Rangers goal, but the experienced stopper got enough of a hand to divert around the post.

Rangers sealed victory with the final kick of the game and in the strangest of circumstances. McCoy was flagged for offside as she raced through on goal, and whilst Mutch prepared to take the resulting free kick, the striker nipped in and passed the ball into the empty net.

Despite the Motherwell protests, the referee overruled his assistant and granted the goal much to the bemusement of the Motherwell players

Paul Brownlie will certainly have several positives to take from today’s contest, as the women of steel limited Rangers throughout much of the afternoon. Motherwell will now move on to face Dundee United in the SWPL Cup next month.

Motherwell take on Rangers in their latest SWPL outing on Sunday 25 September at Broadwood Stadium. 

Kick off is 4pm.

How to follow the game

Tickets for the game can be bought online.

Adult tickets cost £5 while Concession and Juvenile tickets cost £3.

Story of the match

Rangers were in Champions League action on Tuesday night against Benfica, losing 3-2 at Ibrox.

The Gers are flying high at the top of the SWPL table, winning five out of their five games so far.

Motherwell picked up three points in their most recent match against Glasgow Women at K-Park, with a 4-0 win.

Carla Boyce netted twice, with Lori Gardner and Amy Anderson also scoring.

Motherwell ran eventual league champions Rangers close in their two meetings, with Rangers coming away with 2-1 and 1-0 wins against the women of steel.

They thought their football glory days were behind them. But this week eight footballers aged between 50 and 70 will step onto the pitch, and represent Motherwell FC in European competition.

The club’s participation in the EFDN Walking Football Tournament, at Leverkusen in Germany, on Thursday 22 September, will see them in the mix with footballing giants such as Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica, Eintracht Frankfurt, Real Betis and FC Schalke.

Other UK clubs participating include Newcastle United, Rangers and Greenock Morton.

And it is a dream come true for Steelmen fans Derek Cunningham and Brian Douglas.

Brian said: “I was 13 and living in Glasgow I got my first full Motherwell kit. Joe Wark’s family lived round the corner and when he visited he’d see me, the only Motherwell kit amongst the others, and he’d make a point of chatting to me. The idea I’ll be running about at my tender age with my name on the back of my shirt. I must admit, I’m well made up. I’m excited.”

Despite surgery on both knees, Derek has been attending the Motherwell FC Community Trust activity for the past five years. He says: “Walking football is like a time machine – for an hour on the park you’re suddenly 16 again and we all behave like it!

“Motherwell is my team and any supporter would be proud to pull on the jersey. We’ll do our best. We hope we get the results to do the club proud.”

Walking football is really for anyone whose age or fitness levels would prevent them from playing normal football. The Community Trust team has taken part in many tournaments and competitions, but never one abroad.

Team coach Chris MacFarlane said: “The whole experience of going out as part of a team that’s going out to play for Motherwell, pull on a Motherwell badge, travel in Motherwell kit…that’s something really special for the guys.

“To be on that list with some of those massive clubs within Europe is really exciting.”

The team – comprising eight players and two coaching staff – have been supported to take part in the tournament by sponsors Blue Triangle.

Iain Macfarlane, CEO of Blue Triangle, said: “We are very proud to have done our small part in making some big dreams come true.

“It was a privilege to meet the team and see them presented with their strips and training kit, including an extra bag to bring the trophy home! It’s fantastic to see The Well still in Europe and I’m sure they’ll do us all proud.”

The Well Society have also contributed. Derek Watson, of the Society, said: “The Community Trust does a fantastic job of bringing people from all backgrounds and abilities together through football.

“We’re delighted to be able to support the team to take this step and promote the club, nationally and internationally. It’s a joy to see the pride these guys have in wearing the shirt and the ambition they have to do well for the club and the community it serves.”

London Pollard has been named in Scotland’s Under 19 squad. 

A regular feature in the Scotland setup, Pollard will be involved in Scotland’s triple header in the UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship qualifiers.

Scotland will remain on home soil for the three matches, with all games taking place at Ainslie Park.

In their first match on Wednesday 5 October, Scotland take on Spain.

Scotland then face off against Finland on Saturday 8 October before taking on Switzerland on Tuesday 11 October.

It would prove to be another frustrating afternoon for Steven Hammell and Motherwell as they fell to a 3-0 defeat to Hearts at Fir Park.

A similar story to the one two weeks before, the Steelmen would control the game and create multiple chances but lacked the clinical edge to beat Craig Gordon in the Hearts goal.

Shankland and a Forrest double sent Hearts back to the capital with the points as Motherwell were left to ponder how they didn’t score for the second match in a row.

Motherwell will take on Dundee United at home in round two of the SWPL cup. 

The tie will take place on Sunday 2 October.

Venue and kick off time will confirmed in due course.

It was a busy weekend for the four Motherwell loanees. 

David Devine made his Alloa Athletic debut in a 2-1 win over Montrose. The defender played the full match to help push his side into the top three.

Scott Fox has quickly established himself as number one at Queen of the South and once again played the full match against FC Edinburgh. Queen’s won 4-1 but Fox will be slightly disappointed as FC Edinburgh scored in the 93rd minute from the penalty spot for a late consolation, taking away the keepers’ clean sheet.

Max Johnston was an unused sub for Cove Rangers, as they initiated a late comeback against Partick Thistle at Fir Hill. Former Motherwell man Mark Reynolds scored a double late on to secure a point for Cove.

East Kilbride were in Scottish Cup action against Deveronvale. Logan Dunachie was named in the starting 11 and in what turned out to be a lively Scottish Cup tie, East Kilbride progressed to the next round with a 4-2 win.

Dunachie will not feature in East Kilbride’s round two tie against Caledonian Braves as the defender seen red in the second half after a conversation with the referee.