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The 21 day wait for domestic football for Motherwell is over, with Ross County travelling to Fir Park on Saturday 28 October. 

Kick off is 3pm.

Bring a friend for a fiver

Our bring a friend for a fiver and family fun day will return for our home match against Ross County on Saturday 28 October.

Similar to our match against County last May, prior to the match, the Motherwell FC Community Trust and ourselves are hosting a joint family fun day at the front of the Phil O’Donnell stand.

Free to all attending the match, it will start at 12pm and will run until 30 minutes prior to kick-off.

There will be:

• Giant inflatables
• Beat the goalie
• Face painting
• Meet players
• Stalls including Chunky Chunks Bakes, Salt & Chilli Truck, Shelbys Dog Bakery, Floss Boss, Coffee Cart, Angie’s Cakes & Bakes, SSPCA
• Alcoholic refreshments available to purchase from the club’s reading garden for the first time (access via Phil O’Donnell Stand South entrance)

As we look to get Fir Park as busy as possible, season ticket holders will be able to bring a friend for a fiver.

This offer will be in operation in the John Hunter, Davie Cooper and Phil O’Donnell stands.

To take advantage of this offer, please follow the online steps below:

• Visit our ticketing platform by clicking here
• Sign-in
• Select ‘All Events’ at the top right-hand side of the page and then ‘All Matches’
• Select your seat.
• Add ‘Bring a Friend’ ticket to your basket.
• Complete the checkout process.

Your additional ticket will be sent via email for you to pass to your chosen friend.  Alternatively, you can print at home.

How to follow the game

– Concessions Tickets would be ages 65 and over and FT Students with a valid matric card.
– Young Adults tickets would ages 12 to 17.
– Juveniles would be 11 and under

Supporters are able to buy tickets online here or visit the ticket office at Fir Park.

Ticket Office open from 11am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.

Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only.

Kit News

We will be wearing the home kit for this match.

Injury update

Calum Butcher returned to full training last week, and is in contention to make his return.

Mika Biereth is expected to return from his parent club Arsenal this, as he edges closer to match fitness. He will be assessed. Jon Obika remains out.

Pape Souare has sustained an ankle injury in training and will receive a scan to determine how long he will be missing for.

Lennon Miller will be suspended for this match, following his sending off against Livingston.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

It’s been three weeks since Motherwell were in action, with the international break rolling into the postponement of the match against St Johnstone last weekend due to Met Office weather warnings in place.

A 2-0 defeat to Livingston last time out seen Stuart Kettlewell frustrated at his team’s performance, making it four defeats on the spin for the Steelmen.

However, in a tightly congested cinch Premiership league table, Motherwell remain in the top six on 10 points, just a point behind Hearts in fourth.

Opposition Report

Ross County stayed up via a relegation play off win against Partick Thistle in the summer, and have made a brighter start to their campaign this time round.

With wins over St Johnstone and Kilmarnock already on the board, County are on seven points.

However, the Staggies haven’t played competitive football in a month, with postponed matches against St Mirren and Dundee coming either side of the international break.

Ross County take on Dundee on Tuesday night.

Simon Murray has made a sharp start to the 2023/24 season, scoring nine goals in all competitions so far. Two of them have came in the league, with County scoring three goals in total, in their last five games.

Bobby Ancell is the latest inductee to the 2023 Hall of Fame. 

Bobby was born in Dumfries on 16 June 1911 and began his footballing career with Lockerbie side Mid Annandale.

Having impressed, he was scouted and later signed for St Mirren in 1930 where he went on to make his first-team debut later that season. A left-back by trade, Bobby made a winning start to life in Paisley with a 3-1 win.

Gifted with technical ability on the ball, Bobby was hugely an impressive full-back in the 1930’s as he went against the norm of just clearing the ball.

Cementing his place in the St Mirren side, he would go on to feature in 188 league games and his skilful play meant he was scouted by numerous clubs, one of which was Newcastle who paid £2,500 for Bobby’s services in 1936.

Thrown straight into the team, Bobby made his debut for the Toon just a day after his transfer which was the first of 105 appearances for Newcastle.

He earned his first Scotland cap in his time in England and began his transition into the coaching world during the war.

Spells with Dundee and Aberdeen as a player/coach would follow next before a move to Berwick Rangers and Dunfermline in 1955.

His relationship with Motherwell started in July of that year, when he was named manager of the club.

A successful start to life in ML1, Bobby won his first six games, where his side scored 24 whilst only conceding an impressive three.

He applied his managerial philosophy, which was to bring in promising, young players. He would sign players that he considered were ‘men of character’ and ‘footballers as opposed to full-back and forwards as such.’

His coaching approach seen rewards start to come to fruition in the 1958-59 season, when a team that was jam packed with star youngsters, finished third in the table behind Rangers and Hearts.

Featuring players such as Willie McSeveney, Charlie Aitken, John Martis and Ian St John, Bobby’s Motherwell team was composed of Scottish born and bred talent that provided rich entrainment for supporters with skilful and attacking football.

In 1958, their ages were remarkably young; Willie Hunter & John Martis 18, Billy Reid 19, Ian St John 20, Andy Weir 21, Pat Quinn 22, he nurtured young talent that would go on to become legends of the club themselves.

Bobby had become a MFC legend and the Ancell Babes name was born, with his side playing, as some described, “the most attractive football in Scotland.”

Continuing to nurture young talent, Bobby left for pastures new in 1965 where he described his move away as “I have reached a stage where perhaps the people need a new face” which drew his ten years as the Fir Park boss to a close.

Bobby passed away on 5 July 1987 at the age of 76.

He may not have one silverware in his time at Motherwell but he did discover and trust one of our most vital principals as club in playing and developing young footballers to make them better players and men. He built and managed one of the most memorable Motherwell sides in our history.

Managing 438 games for Motherwell we want to thank him and ensure he is eternally remember as a true legend of the club. To do that,  he takes his rightful place in the MFC hall of fame.

We will never forget those who have forged the path to where the club sits at present day. Some with us and some sadly not, we want to come together to celebrate the proud history we have at Motherwell Football Club.

This year, the event will take place at Dalziel Park Hotel on Friday 17 November, with host Tam Cowan inducting five new names.

If you would like to attend our night of celebration, tickets cost £66 for adults and £30 for children under the age of 12 are on sale now.

You can buy tickets for the dinner online or contact the commercial department on 01698 338011.

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

Our home match against Aberdeen will be shown live on our pay-per-view streaming service. 

The match will be available for £11.

You will be able to purchase online.

Kick off is 7.45pm on Wednesday 1 November.

Motherwell’s frustrations on the road persisted in the capital, with the visitors the architects of their own downfall, as a clinical Hearts side capitalised to record back-to-back victories ahead of the forthcoming international break.

A Katie Lockwood opener was soon complimented with a strike from Carly Girasoli, as the hosts cruised to a commanding early advantage.

Amy Anderson pulled one back for Motherwell, with an incredible strike from distance, but Hearts quickly restored their two-goal advantage on the half hour mark with Jenna Penman finding the target.

Chasing the game in the second half, the high Motherwell backline found themselves susceptible at the back, and Hearts racked up another two goals to complete a comfortable afternoon at the Oriam.

Head Coach, Paul Brownlie retained the same starting line-up from last weekend’s prolific six-goal thriller over Dundee United, with Kaitlyn Canavan and Kayla Jardine leading the line, as Amy Anderson and Louisa Boyes partnered in midfield.

Looking to head into the international break on a high, Hearts started firmly on the front foot, pinning the frustrated Motherwell backline into trading possession cheaply deep into their final third of the pitch.

Still yet to settle into the game and impose their game plan, Motherwell found themselves behind after only 10-minutes. Esther Morgan’s chipped through ball fell kindly to the feet of Lockwood, who rounded the onrushing Emily Mutch with ease before coolly dispatching her close-range effort into the empty net.

Less than two minutes later, Hearts had a second. Lockwood turned provider as her floated corner kick sailed invitingly into the path of Girasoli who powered home a well-placed header to give Motherwell a lot to ponder as the first half progressed.

The visitors halved the deficit minutes later, as Kayla Jardine’s excellent solo-run and delivery was bundled clear to the feet of Anderson, who arrowed a magnificent volley into the top-right corner for her first goal of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign.

With a foothold in the match, Motherwell pushed forward and were denied what looked to be a clear penalty kick in a vital stage of the match, as Gill Inglis’ drilled delivery from the right ricocheted off the arm of Lizzie Waldie in the box, but the referee waived play on much to the bemusement of the Motherwell technical area.

Nevertheless, Motherwell still couldn’t quite impose themselves in the final third as the half hour mark approached, and Hearts restored their two-goal advantage moments later.

A quick counter-attack left Penman to race through on goal, and the strikers low effort flashed across the face of goal before nestling into the bottom-left corner.

The women of steel found themselves chasing the game as the second half resumed, and Hearts capitalised on the high Motherwell backline to secure their fourth of the afternoon.

Olufolasade Adamolekun’s perfectly-weighted through ball allowed Lockwood to escape her marker before converting her second of the game

With less than 10-minutes remaining, the hosts netted a decisive fifth to secure a comprehensive victory, compounding the women of steel’s woes on the road.

The forthcoming international break will provide the opportunity for the squad to regroup ahead of their return to action against Aberdeen on the 5 November 2023 at K-Park.

Having tasted football in Ireland and America, Dan Casey came to Scotland in 2023. 

Instantly impressing with his all or nothing attitude on the pitch, he quickly made an impact on the pitch and became a fan favourite.

An organiser and a physically dominant centre half, the Irishman uses his aggression in a controlled manner, assisting him in comfortably engaging in 1v1 duels.

Robust at the heart of the defence, he is mobile and can get around the pitch to provide defensive cover or on occasion, an extra body going forward.

Having proudly represented Republic of Ireland at youth level, a drop of international experience has given Casey the foundations to thrive at club level.

We can confirm our cinch Premiership match against St Johnstone has been postponed. 

Following consultation with Police Scotland, and the Met Office extending the duration of the Red Weather Warning in the area until the end of tomorrow, the decision has been taken to postpone the match.

A new date will be confirmed and communicated in due course.

Tickets already purchased will be valid for the rearranged fixture.

Conor Wilkinson is raring to go having missed a part of the early season due to injury. 

The number 99 felt the injury came just when he was getting started, having netted twice already. Now fully recovered, he wants to show everyone what he is capable of and wants to prove his value in the team.

Wilkinson says spirits are high in the dressing room going into this weekend’s match at St Johnstone and that the team want to prove a point having lost their last four matches.

An evening in the capital awaits the women of steel, as Motherwell prepare to head into the international break with back-to-back victories following last weekend’s prolific display against Dundee United.

Motherwell dusted off their month-long goalless drought in emphatic style, firing six-goals past an uninspiring Dundee United side to narrow the gap to the top-six in a rampant display at K-Park. Paul Brownlie’s side now turn their attention to Hearts this weekend in the final pre-international break match at the Oriam on Sunday.

The Tale of The Tape

Motherwell

Motherwell head to the capital buoyed by their exceptional display over United, a pivotal result ahead of the forthcoming international break.

Bailley Collins netted her first two goals in claret and amber, as Jo Addie, Laura McCartney, Kayla Jardine and Captain Gill Inglis also netted. The latter securing a rightful place in the Scottish Power Women’s Premier League for their impressive contribution.

Motherwell will seek to address their troubled away record this season, with the women of steel yet to pick up their first points on the road despite netting against Aberdeen, Glasgow City and Rangers.

Hearts

Hearts have cemented a positive start to the 2023/24 SWPL campaign, with the Jambos unbeaten in their last three league encounters. A 6-1 demolition of Partick Thistle was soon followed by victory over Spartans and a closely-fought point against Montrose.

Eva Olid’s side sit narrowly outside of the Glasgow frontrunners in fourth, four points clear of Motherwell in seventh.

Whilst demonstrating the attacking threats at their disposal, the capital side have been susceptible to conceding numerous goals on the counter. 10-goals have found the back of the Hearts net in their past three matches in all competitions, with Hearts also dropping points from winning positions against both Montrose and Celtic.

Ticket information

Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.

• Adult – £8
• Concession – £3
• Under 16s/Over 65s – £3.
• Supporters can purchase tickets here.

How to follow the action

Supporters can follow Sunday’s encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match.

Stuart Kettlewell was full of pride watching Liam Kelly earn his first Scotland cap at senior level.

The Motherwell skipper started against France on Tuesday night and almost made it a night to remember, as he got a hand to Kylian Mbappe’s first half penalty. Despite conceding three goals, Kettlewell insists the number one will be much better for the experience and will come to training with a spring in his step.

The manager offers and update on long-term absentees Calum Butcher, Jon Obika and Mika Biereth, with the former potentially earning a spot in the squad against St Johnstone.

Kettlewell believes that despite people writing off St Johnstone already, he has seen them make small steps to improving and believes with them not earning a win just yet in the league, the Perth side will be hungrier than ever and present a difficult challenge.

Racism has no place in football or society. 

A recent survey undertaken by Show Racism the Red Card showed 46% of staff are aware of racist bullying or discrimination in Scottish schools, while 66.4% are aware of pupils expressing misconceptions, stereotypes, or negative attitudes that are racist.

It is the responsibility of us all to ensure that the anti-racism message is spread far and wide for everyone to see.

This is why we are proudly continuing our support of Show Racism the Red Card’s Match Actions Campaign during our match against St Johnstone on Saturday 21 October and our women’s match against Hearts on Sunday 22 October.

Show Racism the Red Card is the UK’s leading anti-racism Education Charity, working within schools, workplaces, sports, and community organisations to educate children, young people, and adults on challenging prejudice and stereotypes.

Using the power of football is a powerful tool to initiate conversations about anti-racism and our club has supported their messages of tolerance and inclusion for many years. Now more than ever, the importance of active anti-racism cannot be overstated.

Across Scottish football, clubs will show their commitment to anti-racism over one weekend – Friday 20th, Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd October. This weekend also coincides with Show Racism the Red Card’s UK-wide annual fundraising drive, Wear Red Day, taking place on Friday 20th October. On this day, individuals and groups up and down the country are encouraged to wear red and donate to show their support for the campaign and its message.

The Match Actions weekend also takes place during Black History Month and as part of the celebrations, SRtRC are partnering with the National Library of Scotland. On the 26th October at Glasgow’s Kelvinhall, there will be a film screening and discussion about Andrew Watson, Scotland and the world’s first black international footballer.

“We are delighted with the support for anti-racism that exists within Scottish football and are very proud of our upcoming match actions,” Billy Singh from Show Racism the Red Card said.

“However the work must continue. We call on our supporters to continue to challenge racism.

“It is a shared responsibility across the game, from dressing rooms to boardrooms, and from stadiums to social media, to ensure that an anti-racism ethos is maintained throughout the year. And please remember that all our teams are made up of different nationalities from all over the world. Migrants make a positive contribution to Scotland and that’s something we should celebrate.”

“It is vital that we continue to use our voice to say that racism is not welcome in football nor in society,” Motherwell FC manager Stuart Kettlewell stated.

“Unfortunately, we still see instances of racism across the globe. It truly is horrible to see and we must all stand up and condemn these acts.

“We must stand against racism.”

“We are lucky we get to enjoy a sport where you meet individuals from all walks of life,” Motherwell Women forward Kaela McDonald-Nguah said.

“It’s vital we show our support for one another from the changing rooms all the way onto the pitch. Football is a fantastic platform to drive out any racism and discrimination.

“We at Motherwell are proud to continue our support of the brilliant work carried out by Show Racism the Red Card.”

Football is a sport that is loved across the world and football matches should be an enjoyable experience for everyone, of all backgrounds. Education is the key and in the 27 years the Show Racism the Red Card has been running, they have educated over 1 Million participants, reaching that significant milestone in March 2023.

We are proud to support them to reach their next big milestone and to ensure Scotland is equipped with the tools to challenge and eradicate racism from football and society.

For useful resources and information from Show Racism the Red Card, please visit their website  and explore their anti-racism video platform.

You can also follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.