| 3 | Rangers | 11 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 22 |
| 4 | Dundee United | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 19 |
| 5 | Motherwell | 11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 19 |
| 6 | St Mirren | 13 | 4 | 3 | 6 | -5 | 15 |
| 7 | Dundee | 12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | -6 | 12 |
Connor Shields has joined Indian Super League side Chennaiyin FC on a permanent deal.
The forward joined Motherwell on a three-year-deal in the summer of 2021 from Queen of the South.
In 53 appearances for Shields, he amassed three goals and five assists.
Spending the second half of last season on loan at promotion chaser Queen’s Park, Shields now links up with Owen Coyle in India.
The club wants to thank Connor for his efforts and wishes him well going forward.
In 2022, it was reported that suicide rates in North Lanarkshire dropped by over 6% in 2021.
But this still isn’t enough.
Suicide doesn’t discriminate and 0ur hope is that displaying and raising awareness amongst the football community can help save lives. Just talking about the issue or asking someone if they’re ok could be a first step to getting back on track.
This is why we have extended our vital suicide prevention partnership with North Lanarkshire Council for the upcoming season.
For every match this campaign, we will continue to display the Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire logo to highlight the importance of mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
As well as other initiatives, we will continue to display helpline information around Fir Park Stadium and use our platform to push a powerful and important message to the footballing community.
The long-standing partnership between Motherwell and the council raises vital awareness about mental health issues and suicide prevention among football fans and the wider public.
“We are delighted that Motherwell FC is renewing this crucial partnership with the council,” Depute Leader of North Lanarkshire Council Louise Roarty said.
“By displaying the Suicide Prevention logo on the club’s shirts, we can help send a powerful message of hope and support to those who may be struggling with their mental health.
“Our aim is to break down the stigma surrounding mental health, encourage people to talk more openly and to seek help if they need it. Football has the power to reach people from all walks of life, and together, we can use our platform to spread a message of hope, resilience, and support.
“The renewal of this partnership highlights the shared commitment of Motherwell FC and the council to prioritise mental health, raise awareness about suicide prevention and encourage open conversations surrounding mental well-being.”
“It is important to us as a club, and a central part of this community, to continue our support for this initiative more than ever,” commercial director Suzanne Reid added.
“Suicide affects so many families in this area and has had a direct impact on young supporters’ families in recent times. We want everyone to know that support is out there, and the first step towards it is to talk to someone.”
For more information, go to northlanarkshire.gov.uk/safer
With five points already in the bag, Motherwell knew a win against Queen’s Park in the Viaplay Cup would put them in the driving seat for qualification for the next round.
Queen’s Park playing style of passing out from the back, presented Motherwell with opportunities.
Jon Obika grabbed his second in three games on the half-an-hour mark, giving the home side the lead.
Callum Slattery, Blair Spital and Obika had opportunities to extend the lead, but the ‘Well did enough to earn the three points in their first home match of the season.
Ross Tierney has joined English League Two side Walsall on loan until the end of the season.
The Irish midfielder made 24 appearances last season for the club, scoring two goals.
The 22-year-old goes south of the border in search of regular minutes on the pitch.
Walsall finished 16th last season and have former Motherwell striker Danny Johnson within their ranks.
We wish Ross all the best at Walsall this season.
Our ever-popular Ladies Day returns for 2023 when Motherwell host St Mirren on Saturday 16 September and the event will be bigger and better than ever
There’s a full day of fun and laughter planned with our ‘Barbie Boogie Bingo’themed day, hosted by DJ Pauly-M.
Priced at £46 for season ticket holders, and £54 for non-season ticket holders, our Centenary Suite Ladies Day package starts at 12 noon and includes:
It’s a day not to be missed, thanks to our sponsors Cadzow Nursery and The Scotto.
To get your tickets, buy online now at by clicking here, email us at hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk or give us a call on 01698 338003.
Join us for fun on the fairways at the Motherwell FC Golf Day
Our 2023 event will take place at Lanark Golf Club on Friday, 8 September 2023. Lanark is the world’s oldest ‘inland’ course and the 25th oldest Golf Club in the world.
Your three-man team will be joined by a Motherwell first team player, past player, or member of the backroom staff.
In addition to a round of golf, you will enjoy breakfast rolls, lunch and a prizegiving ceremony.
Our Golf Day package includes:
Price
£400 +VAT for a three-man team
To book, please email Rebecca.Doyle@motherwellfc.co.uk or phone 01698 338003.
Make it a December to remember!We are delighted to unveil our amazing festive programme for 2023.
Whether you are catching up with friends, family or colleagues, celebrate in style in the Centenary Suite at Fir Park. Combining your favourite Christmas classics with dance floor fillers, this will be a Christmas party your guests will never forget.
Our party nights are now open to book and run from 7pm – 1am. Enjoy a complimentary shot, 2-course meal (choice of main) with live entertainment.
Available dates are as follows:
We also have an alternative option for the partygoers, with our Zander Nation Bounce Bingo. Bounce Bingo is a highly sought after Rave Bingo event where you can enjoy a drink, a dance, and a game of bingo with the chance to win fantastic prizes. Saturday 23rd December – £20 a ticket.Doors open 7pm. 1am license, over 18’s only.
Call our events team on 01698 338003 to book
Motherwell dusted off Friday nights blues with a comprehensive victory over East Fife in a behind closed doors friendly at K-Park on Sunday.
Captain Gill Inglis broke the deadlock early on with an accurate strike from distance, with a Carla Boyce hat-trick, Kayla Jardine double, a brace from Kaitlyn Canavan and a late Bailley Collins volley sealing an exceptional 9-0 victory.
Head coach, Paul Brownlie made six changes to the side that started Friday’s encounter, with Morgan Hay, Georgie Rafferty, Louisa Boyes, Sarah Gibb, and Kayla Jardine all returning to the starting XI, whilst Rebecca Cameron returned in goal.
On the hunt for their first victory of the 2023/24 pre-season campaign, Motherwell started the first half firmly on the front foot, with Canavan coming close to an early opener after cutting inside from the right, but the strikers effort narrowly evaded the far post.
The visitors struggled to maintain possession in the opening phases of play, with the women of steel quickly retrieving control of the ball and finding opportunities across both flanks. Motherwell continued to flood the opposition penalty area and their persistence was soon rewarded with a quickfire double.
Inglis accurately picked out the top corner with a precise curling effort from the edge of the box before a loose pass at the back was expertly intercepted by Jardine who coolly converted.
Jardine continued to cause the visitors problems cutting inside from the left flank before picking out both Tara McGonigle and Canavan, but Motherwell couldn’t capitalise.
The hosts eventually netted their third of the afternoon on the stroke of half time. Jardine again worked her way into a threatening position on the left before accurately picking out Boyce with a floated delivery across the face of goal, and the striker smashed a low strike beyond the reach of the keeper.
As the second half resumed, Motherwell picked up where they left off, forcing East Fife into trading possession deep into their own half, and another two quickfire goals followed.
Boyce netted her second of the game, with a high cross from the left drifting invitingly towards the striker, who headed home for her second and Motherwell’s fourth of the afternoon.
A mix-up in the penalty area preceded a goal-line scramble, which allowed Motherwell to force through their fifth.
Boyce completed her hat-trick soon after, heading home from close range. Canavan made it seven after a perfectly-weighted through ball from Jardine sliced through the visiting defence, leaving the striker one-on-one with the keeper, but despite her initial effort blocked; the striker prodded home the rebound.
Canavan secured her brace moments later after substitute Kaela McDonald-Nguah found the forward lurking in the box, and Canavan expertly escaped her marker to prod home Motherwell’s eighth.
Substitute Collins made an instant impact from the bench, lashing home a volley from the right, picking out the far-left corner for Motherwell’s ninth and final goal of the game.
Line-ups:
R. Cameron, M. Hay, T. McGonigle, G. Rafferty, C. Watson, G. Inglis, S. Gibb, L. Boyes, K. Jardine, C. Boyce, K. Canavan.
Motherwell return to action in a behind closed doors friendly this afternoon.
Following a heavy defeat to Hearts in their previous pre-season encounter, the women of steel will be looking for a response, as they host East Fife at K-Park.
The Tale of the Tape
Motherwell
Paul Brownlie’s side will be looking for a resurgence from Friday evening’s defeat, with the Fifers visit providing the opportunity to secure our first pre-season victory, as we approach the finale of our 2023/24 campaign.
The women of steel will have a full squad available for this afternoons encounter, minus the recent acquisition of Hannah Cunningham, who will remain unavailable.
It has been over half a decade since Motherwell’s last meeting with East Fife, with both sides facing each other in an SWPL2 clash in September 2017, with the points shared in a 1-1 draw.
East Fife
East Fife are preparing for a season in the SWF Championship following relegation from SWPL2 last season.
The visitors finished the 2022/23 campaign 12 points shy of nearest rivals Stirling University, with their only victory coming in a 2-1 win over Queens Park.
How to follow the action
Supporters can follow this afternoons encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match.
Motherwell are now in touching distance of the next round in the Viaplay Cup, having picked up their second win in the group against Queen’s Park.
Jon Obika’s deflected goal midway through the first half was enough to give Motherwell a narrow victory and three points and extend their advantage at the top of their Viaplay League Cup group.
In truth, though, Stuart Kettlewell’s side took very little else from a game, where Queen’s Park more than matched them. Indeed, apart from a dominant spell either side of the interval when the Fir Park men spurned a number of chances to extend their lead, they failed to get the better of the Championship side.
This early evening televised game provided Fir Park fans the first glimpse of the new look Steelmen. The ‘Well boss made the minimum of changes to the side that returned from Dumfries with 2 points in midweek.
Shane Blaney and the re-signed Dan Casey came in to form the central defensive trio alongside Paul McGinn, in front of Liam Kelly, alternating with Aston Oxborough for the ‘keeper’s gloves.
And the Motherwell rearguard was given some testing moments in the first 20 minutes as Queen’s, very comfortable in possession, bravely took the game to the Premiership side. Three consecutive corners put some pressure on Kelly’s goal before Casey cut out a promising cut back from Barry Hepburn.
It was 25 minutes before ‘Well finally threatened Calum Ferrie’s goal. A fine build u should have resulted in the opening gaol but two yards from an open goal Obika somehow stooped to head Stephen O’Donnell’s low cross wide of the post.
A couple of minutes later Callum Slattery hooked Blair Spittal’s cut-back over the bar as the fans sensed the breakthrough wasn’t far away.
When it arrived in the 28th minute it owed a lot to a cruel deflection. Obika collected Slattery’s pass at the edge of the box and although his left foot shot was on target Ferrie had it covered until Will Tizzard’s outstretched leg carried the ball past his helpless ‘keeper.
There was almost a repeat at the other end two minutes later. Former Fir Park winger Dom Thomas cut in from the right before trying to curl the ball towards goal. A touch from Casey looked to have carried the ball over his keeper but Kelly stretched high to palm the ball away.
A minute before the interval the Steelmen almost doubled their advantage but Slattery’s thumping drive from 18 yards came crashing back off the crossbar.
Within a minute of the restart the home side passed up another chance to extend the lead. A wonderful mazy run from McGinn deserved a better finish but Spittal’s effort from 20 yards sent the ball high into the Davie Cooper stand.
As ‘Well stepped up the pace the Queen’s goal was lucky to survive some poor defending after 52 minutes. From his own byeline Fox tried to play in his ‘keeper but having rolled the ball into the six-yard box he was relieved as Ferrie reacted to clatter the ball of the advancing Obika and send the ball over the bar.
That was Obika’s last involvement as 18 year-old Mark Ferrie was given 30 minutes to find a crucial second goal.
For all that Motherwell were more determined and sharper at the start of the second half the Championship side still chased an equaliser and it almost arrived after 67 minutes.
A cross ball came off Pape Souare’s raised arm and in the absence of VAR, Steven McLean’s decision to award a corner wasn’t overturned. When Thomas floated the flag kick towards the front post Tizzard’s touch sent the ball glancing off the face of the bar as ‘Well desperately cleared the ball out of the six-yard box.
With 20 minutes remaining Kettlewell tried to take the sting out of the visitor’s game sending on the experienced Harry Paton for 16 year-old Lennon Miller.
As the Steelmen were forced deeper into their own half, Queen’s looked the more likely to grab and equaliser.
Ten minutes from time the tie was almost beyond them as Spittal had a double opportunity to make it 2-0.
His first attempt from Slattery’s pass was firmly held by Ferrie. Inexplicably, the ‘keeper then gave possession back to Spittal and his lob over the stranded Ferrie bounced off the Queen’s crossbar.
Sensing that a second goal wasn’t coming the ‘Well boss made a double substitution bringing on Nathan McGinley and Barry McGuire for the final five minutes as ‘Well held on to their slender lead and three points.
Davor Zdravkovski has joined Motherwell on a two-year deal, subject to international clearance and paperwork formalities.
The centre-midfielder has made the switch to Scotland, having most recently played with AEL Limassol in Cyprus.
“Davor is an exciting signing for the club,” manager Stuart Kettlewell.
“He is someone who we feel, will fit into the system that we are trying to implement here.
“He’s been in international squads, which shows the quality he has displayed in Cyprus and North Macedonia. The staff here have done an excellent job in scouting and getting the transfer done.
“The fact he’s an unknown player to most Motherwell supporters, makes it more exciting for everyone.”
The 25-year-old broke onto the scene with Makedonija in North Macedonia. He went on to make 33 appearances for Makedonija between 2015 and 2017.
He joined AEL Limassol in 2017, where has since went on to make 161 appearances.
The holding midfielder has had successful spell in Cyprus, from winning the Cypriot Cup in 2019, to representing in the Europa League and Europa Conference League, where the North Macedonian was an integral part of the team.
AEL Limassol, with Zdravkovski in the team, came runners-up in the Cypriot league in 2020/21.
Coming through the North Macedonian youth sides, he was named in North Macedonia’s squad in March, however was an unused sub for their match against Faroe Islands.
“This is a new chapter and new challenge for me,” Davor Zdravkovski added.
“I look forward to working hard with this club and will do my best to bring joy to the fans.”
Zdravkovski will wear the 17 kit this season but will not be available for our match against Queen’s Park.
