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New Well Society Board sets out growth strategy for both the Society and Motherwell FC

• Well Society Board pledges a ‘fresh start for fan-ownership’ in growth strategy for both the fan-ownership group and football club.
• Well Society Board launches ‘Our Club, Our Future: Our plan for growth for Motherwell Football Club and The Well Society’.
• Plan has been endorsed by former Motherwell chairman Brian McCafferty, amongst others.

The Well Society, the majority shareholder of Scotland’s first top-flight fan-owned football club, has today (2 July 2024), pledged “a fresh start for fan-ownership” as it unveils its plan for growth, strategic investment, and a new fan-engagement model at Motherwell FC.

The plans, developed by a refreshed Well Society Board following elections in October 2023, are contained in ‘Our Club, Our Future: Our plan for growth for Motherwell Football Club and The Well Society’. The detailed prospectus, sent today to Well Society members and available online, sets out an ambitious future, a renewed take on seeking investment, and a new approach to fan engagement.

Following a period of significant calls for increased transparency and fan voice at the football club, a refreshed Well Society Board was elected in October 2023. The Society Board moved with purpose, hosting a series of fan engagement workshops on topics including governance, membership, events and communications. Building on fan priorities, the Society Board established operating priorities and a series of workstreams, supported by ‘Well supporting professionals working in finance, business, governance, engagement and communications.

A FRESH START FOR FAN-OWNERSHIP

With a fresh focus on growth, strategic investment, and commercial partnerships, the refreshed Well Society Board conducted a review of best practice from fan-ownership models including Exeter City Football Club, where the club has successfully engaged local investors through community share schemes, as well as AFC Wimbledon, Portsmouth FC, and FC United of Manchester.

Developing its fan-focused approach to sustainable investment, the Well Society Board has been backed by a series of business leaders, including fintech strategist David Cullinan, multi-business CEO Kyrk McMillan, former Paycare Chief Executive Kevin Rodgers, and US-based football business consultant Gus McNab, amongst others.

The plans, in development since the beginning of the year, take four strands:

• A new vision for Motherwell Football Club
• A new approach to investment, focused on local partnerships and strategic investment
• A new strategy for growth of the Well Society
• The identification of further opportunities around season tickets, the women’s team, and off-pitch revenue growth

The Well Society has already invested more than £2m as a direct result of the fan-ownership model and now believes the time is right to further develop that model. It is understood that the strategy’s development was expedited to ensure that Society members were given sight of it before a forthcoming ballot on Wild Sheep Sports investment proposals. The ballot commences on 8 July for a fortnight, with the Well Society having already set out its reasoning behind its recommendation to reject the proposal.

As part of the strategy, the Well Society Board has outlined plans for new Strategic Investment Partnerships. The plans would see links with new potential partners who share a vision of enhancing Motherwell Football Club through sustained financial backing and valuable expertise. Strategic Investment Partnerships would seek broader objectives, and be focused on funding strategic projects such as developing new facilities at Fir Park or upgrading the training ground. These improvements would not only enhance operational capabilities, but would support additional revenue streams.

New purpose driven commercial partnerships are also a feature of the Well Society Board’s plans for growth. The Society, noting the opportunity to strengthen the Football Club’s commercial operations, in line with the arrival of new Chief Executive Brian Caldwell, revealed ongoing discussions with a series of new commercial partners.

The Society has also undertaken detailed fanbase modelling, including the significant opportunities to grow Well Society membership and contributions. Doing so could deliver a net increase of 2,700 contributors per month. Additional modelling highlights significant potential to drive club season ticket revenue, beyond the 2% of residents in Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke, and beyond the less than 1% in neighbouring 25 towns and villages.

Finally, in addition to a new, more open and transparent governance framework, the ‘Our Club, Our Future’ strategy outlines a fresh approach to fan voice, engagement and communication, while maintaining the Society’s baseline position as a financial safety net for the football club.

It’s time for you to return to Fir Park this Saturday, as Motherwell face off against Livingston in friendly action.

Kick off is 3pm.

Ticket Information

Ticket details for our friendly match against Livingston at Fir Park have now been confirmed.

You can buy your tickets online now.

All home fans will be housed in the John Hunter Stand, with adult tickets costing £5 and all concessions costing £2.

Fans can buy online right up to kick off and between 1pm-3pm on Saturday at the Ticket Office for the John Hunter Stand.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our new “Never Been Seen Before” Home Kit.

The Lowdown

Motherwell returned from their pre-season trip to The Netherlands on Monday, having faced off against FC Twente and D.S.V.D.

A 2-2 draw with Twente was followed by a comprehensive 8-0 win over D.S.V.D.

With nine new faces in the door, it has been a busy summer period for the Steelmen.

Motherwell signed-off  their pre-season trip to the Netherlands with a convincing 8-0 win over DSVD Deurningen.

Goals from Moses Ebiye, Zach Robinson, Filip Stuparevic and Sam Nicholson mean ‘Well head home undefeated and scoring ten goals.

The Steelmen settled early and took the lead through Moses Ebiye.

Stephen O’Donnell’s deep ball was cushioned across goal by Ewan Wilson and poked home by the Nigerian.

Ebiye added a second ten minutes later when he latched onto Liam Gordon’s header and fired into the net – his third goal of the trip.

With a two goal cushion at the break, Stuart Kettlewell made a host of substitutes and it didn’t take long for them to add to their lead.

Zack Robinson, only on the pitch for five minutes, netted an impressive 11 minute hat-trick to give ‘Well a handsome lead.

His first, on the 50th minute, came as Luca Ross threaded in Tom Sparrow and his cut-back was cooly finished on his left foot.

Lennon Miller was the creator for his second. He turned two men inside-out in the middle of the park, spread a ball wide to Dylan Wells whose cross was headed home.

More fine from Miller found Robinson who combined excellently with Sam Nicholson – his perfect touch split the defence wide open and allowed the Englishman to claim his hat-trick with a great finish into the bottom corner.

Goal six was created by academy graduate Dylan Wells. His driving run forward followed by a one-two with Stuparevic, earned the Steelmen a penalty when the was taken down in the box.

Serbian new boy Stuparevic then stepped and applied the finish from 12 yards.

The win was then rounded off by a fine double from Sam Nicholson. The tricky midfielder showing great skill on both occassions, in similar styles, turning defenders in and out before finding the net.

What the manager said

“It was a different type of game from the other night against FC Twente.

“We managed to get more minutes into the legs, with only one recovery day in between.

“It’s pleasing at both ends of the pitch. A clean sheet and the goals boost the players’ confidence too. Again, we managed to get eight academy graduates game time which is a large part of what this club is all about.

“Overall, it’s been a tremendously productive week. It’s a great facility and the main objective is to come away with as many match fit players as we can. We have one or two niggles but I’m delighted with the work we’ve put into the week.”

Stuart Kettlewell gave his thoughts following his side’s 2-2 draw with FC Twente.

“I’m delighted with the way we performed in our first pre-season game, especially considering the level of opposition.”, said the Motherwell manager.

“FC Twente finished third in the Eredivisie last season and although we don’t read much into the result, we can take a whole load of positives from how we applied ourselves against a top-class team.

“We had five new signings feature and I’m happy with how they are coming along. It’s good to get minutes into the legs of players and start to embed our way of playing into them, and also come away with no more injuries.

“We also have eight academy graduates here who aren’t just here to make up the numbers – these boys are pushing for a place in the squad.

“It’s been a week of hard training, which we will continue on Saturday, and will finish what has been a productive trip on Sunday against DSVD Deurningen.”

Motherwell kick-off their pre-season friendlies with a 2-2 draw against FC Twente.

In the first of two games due to be played in the Netherlands, the Steelmen had to be pegged back twice against Champions League level opposition.

Stuart Kettlewell handed starts to Liam Gordon and Zach Robinson with a largely familiar starting XI.

The hosts started dangerously, with Sayfallah Ltaief getting forward before seeing his effort being brilliantly matched by Aston Oxborough.

Motherwell got a foothold in the game and took the lead just beyond the half-hour mark.

Lennon Miller won himself a free-kick on the edge of the box and stepped up, curling a fine effort past Issam El Maach in the Twente goal.

Just before half-time, Anass Salah-Eddine tested Oxborough again but the tall Englishman was again equal to his strike.

Stuart Kettlewell then shuffled his pack at the break with a host of changes, inclusing handing gametime to newcomers Kofi Balmer, Tom Sparrow, Filip Stuparevic but within a minute of the restart the Dutch hosts were level.

Some nice play worked the ball into the box and substitute Daan Rots fired unstoppably past Aston Oxborough.

Special mention has to go to Oxborough again  as he pulled off an incredible close-range save.

There weren’t many clear cut chances after that as both sides worked away, shaking off any pre-season rust.

A moment of magic lit up the game with just over ten minutes to go.

Moses Ebiye found himself just inside the Twente half and fired an audacious effort over the head of Lars Unnerstall, earning a round of applause off of all in attendance.

The joy was short lived though as just seconds later, Daan Rots got his second of the game, levelling the game in what was arguably a fair result and a good ninety minutes of work into the legs.

Motherwell take on D.S.V.D Deurningen on Sunday, before flying home on Sunday.

Krisztián Hegyi has joined on loan until the end of the season from West Ham United. 

The 21-year-old goalkeeper has flown out to meet up with the rest of the squad in the Netherlands.

“Krisztián arrived late last night,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“I’m pleased he has been able to join up with his new teammates and spend time with his new teammates.

“It can be tricky to recruit new keepers for a number of reasons but Krisztián brings quality and lots of potential.

“We now have two strong keepers at the club that can fight it out for that spot on the pitch come the start of the season. Krisztián has shown he has ability and with him only being 21, it’s clear he can still grow and this is the perfect environment for him to do that.”

Hegyi joined The Irons back in 2019, having been scouted from Szombathelyi Haladás in Hungary in 2019. Having seriously impressed with Szombathelyi Haladás, a number of high profile clubs sought to sign the Hungarian.

He moved to England where he continued to impress and eventually made his debut for the Under 18 side. After a couple of seasons, Hegyi was first-choice keeper for West Ham’s Under 23s, and was named captain for the 2022/23 campaign.

Having played for the national youth sides, he earned his first spot in the senior Hungarian squad in March 2023.

In the summer of 2023, the shot-stopper went out on loan to Stevenage, where he made six appearances in the first half of the 2023/24 campaign. For the second half of the season, he went out on loan to Dutch side FC Den Bosch, where he became first choice keeper and despite finishing second bottom of the table, kept six clean sheets in 17 appearances.

Go behind-the-scenes from our 2024/25 Home Kit shoot as the Motherwell FC players get their hands on the “Like Never Before” kit for the first time.

• Initial reactions
• One size fits all
• A new celebration for Lennon

The fixtures for the new ScottishPower Women’s Premier League have been revealed and we will kick off the new season in the Scottish capital at Ainslie Park against Spartans.

Our first home game will be to Montrose on matchday 2, with Aberdeen the visitors on our penultimate match at K-Park.

We will travel to face SWPL2 champions Queens Park on Sunday 22 September before returning to play the reverse fixture on Sunday 24 November.

Our first midweek test will be on the road to face Celtic midweek on the 21 August before facing Rangers in our second midweek encounter on Wednesday 11 December.

We will conclude the regular season in Glasgow, meeting Glasgow City at Petershill Park ahead of the post-split fixtures.

All fixtures are subject to change.

The fixtures for the new William Hill Premiership have been revealed and we will kick off the new season at Fir Park against Ross County. 

Our first away game will be to Rangers on matchday 2.

We will travel to Dingwall on Saturday 23 November. On Boxing Day, we will take a trip to Parkhead to face Celtic, before taking on Rangers at Fir Park three days later.

With there being no winter break, there are less midweek fixtures this season. We travel to Dundee twice midweek, facing Dundee United on Wednesday 30 October, and Dundee on 4 December.

The other scheduled midweek game is at home to Dundee on Wednesday 26 February.

All fixtures are subject to change.

Our 2024/25 “Like Never Before” Home Kit goes on sale online and in store from Friday 28 June.

This year’s home top displays our traditional claret and amber colours, but in a way we haven’t seen before.

Similar but not the same as our home kit from 1913-1924, we go into uncharted territory.

During the process of creating this kit, focus groups were set up to allow supporters to gather and voice their opinions and ideas on what they would like to see on our home and away kits for the 2024/25 season.

A number of ideas and opinions have been taken on board. We thank everyone who got involved.

A white collar and cuffs, the top is claret from the shoulders down to the middle of the chest, with a small white split going across horizontally.

Amber makes up the rest of the front below the split, with the back made up of amber also.

The word ‘Steelmen’ remains imprinted on the back of the neck, a nod to our nickname.

If you take a closer look at the top, a Hexagon shape is embossed throughout.

This year’s shorts are all claret, with a white hoop around the bottom of the shorts.

We return to hooped socks for 2024/25.