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Steve Seddon couldn’t have imagined he would have came to Scotland a couple years ago but having made the switch in the summer, the full-back is thoroughly enjoying his stay north of the border and has enjoyed the variety of games he’s featured in.

The Englishman says he may be one of the louder voices in the dressing room, but the team are ego free and everyone is working together to improve on the pitch.

The women of steel braved the conditions at a rainswept Albert Bartlett stadium, but despite an admirable performance, Celtic’s goalscoring pedigree shone through, as the hosts coasted to a comfortable five-goal victory.

Saoirse Noonan, Lucy Ashworth-Clifford, Amy Gallacher, Murphy Agnew and Maria McAneny all netted for the hosts, with Morgan Cross converting a second-half consolation.

Head coach Paul Brownlie made one change to the starting XI from last weekend’s narrow victory over Montrose at K-Park. Celtic loanee Sienna McGoldrick missed out against her parent club, with Laura McCartney returning to the starting XI. Striker Amy Sharkey also missed out on a place in the matchday squad after signing on-loan from Celtic in the summer window.

The defending champions firmly picked up from where they left off after defeating Glasgow City on Sunday. Noonan broke the deadlock only three-minutes into the game, with the Ireland international prodding the ball home from a few yards out after a goaline scramble following a dangerous delivery across the face of goal.

The second followed soon after with Ashworth-Clifford cutting inside from the left before curling a precise effort into the top-right corner.

Ashworth-Clifford soon turned provider moments later, teeing up Gallacher, who coolly slotted a side-footed effort into the bottom-corner of the net.

Down but net yet out at half-time, Motherwell persisted as the second-half resumed, applying pressure to the Celtic backline, with Morgan Cross skilfully working her way from the halfway-line before cutting inside on her opponent and dispatching a low-drilled strike into the bottom-left corner.

Despite the scoreline, Motherwell continued to control proceedings in the second-half, but couldn’t find the vital second-goal.

Celtic took advantage and netted twice against the run of play to secure the three points under the lights.

Tom Sparrow’s footballing journey started at the age of nine when he was with Wrexham. His local club provided strong and efficient coaching to help assist the midfielder in his early days.

Playing there for three years helped Sparrow grow and flourish from a young age alongside some other local players.

At the age of 12, he had a number of trials as he began to take the next step on the ladder. That next step would be with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

“I spent three years at Wolves,” Sparrow said.

“It was great but it was a big step up. Wrexham was only 15 minutes from my house, so I was now commuting three or four times a week. I was sometimes in the accommodation at the age of 12 and 13, that was good for me.

“I remember my mum sitting me down and asking if I was serious about all this football stuff because I was missing school two or three times a week. If I wasn’t going to be a football player, I’d have been in trouble!

“But it was a big commitment for her too; she was driving me about all the time.”

Further progression was made within the ranks at Wolves and Sparrow then eyed up his next move after three years there.

“We were going to play Stoke and my agent had said beforehand that they were watching me,” Sparrow explained.

“They offered me a scholarship. I was 15 at the time, so that would last until I was 18. I was buzzing; it was closer to home, and they were in the Premier League at the time. Ironically, when I moved, Stoke and Wolves switched. Wolves went to the Premier League and Stoke dropped down. It didn’t matter to me; Stoke were brilliant.

“I went in at 15 and did a couple years of a standard programme where I would train after school. I started to play for the Under 23s in the Premier League 2 in my second year.

“The coaches had a ranking system where it was As, Bs and Cs and I was never an A, which is where players are pushing to get into the first team.

“I just worked hard and the full-time training changed me; it developed me physically.”

After years of working hard under the radar at Academy level, the time eventually came for Sparrow to get a taste of first-team football.

“Telford was my first loan move,” he stated.

“I was training under Michael O’Neill, who liked me. The loan manager knew the Telford manager at the time and was asking to see if anyone would like the move. I said I’d go and O’Neill liked that. I only played six or seven games but it was seen as a good thing.

“When I went back to Stoke, O’Neill said I had a good chance of playing. I made my first-team debut against Coventry. It was the best feeling ever. I had worked since the age of nine for that moment.

“The left-wing back for Coventry was Ian Maatsen. Callum O’Hare was playing too. I was right-back, so it was a nice, easy afternoon as you can imagine! Thankfully I had Phil Jagielka alongside me, he was smiling and laughing before the game, so that calmed me down.”

That was Sparrow’s first of four appearances for the Potters and with the debut in the bag, he went away with his national setup for some summer work, which he thought put him in a prime position for the following season.

“That summer I just wanted to stay fit,” Sparrow said.

“I knew I’d have a chance of playing and when I came back for pre-season, I’d only had a week off, so I was ready to play.

I played more games but then the manager moved on.

“We then signed Dujon Sterling, and that was kind of the end for me there. It was frustrating because the other manager believed in me and I was going to play. If I knew I wasn’t going to play, I’d have gotten a loan move. It meant I was stuck until Christmas. which is risky. I could fall out of the team or something.

“Alex Neil was ex-Hamilton, so he said a move there would be good for me in January. They were struggling and I went up on my own. We were fighting relegation, so it wasn’t always a nice dressing room. We were 11 points adrift initially but clawed it back and lost in the playoff.

“It was a good experience and a first test in a different dressing room. When I made my debut at Stoke, I was buzzing and thought this was easy. Then, the nine months after that showed me how difficult it can be.”

Learning the trade and the range of emotions that come with it, Sparrow was maturing at a fast rate despite his young age and the next hurdle that he had to overcome would come shortly after.

“I was 21, and I knew I wasn’t going to play games,” the midfielder explained.

“So, I agreed with Stoke that I would go. They were brilliant with me and I made some great friends. I said to them that I wanted to play under 21s so people could see me play.

“I backed myself. My thinking was, if I was going to play, people would like what they saw. It would be a better environment for me to play rather than going on loan.

“We played Arsenal in an Under-21s match and Stuart Kettlewell was watching. We had a Zoom call after and I knew I wanted the move straight away. It’s a good level but I wanted a manager that believed in me.”

From then on, terms were agreed and by the start of the summer, Sparrow had started to move into the local area.

“It was good to get here early,” Sparrow added.

“I met everyone on the first day, and it meant that because other boys came in after me, I wasn’t the new player for very long. Pre-season was good and I feel fit now.

“The dressing room is brilliant; some of the best lads I’ve been with. Nobody hammers anyone for mistakes, it’s just about trying to gel and play the best we can.

“We showed against Rangers that we can compete with anyone despite the injuries. It was brilliant to play at Hampden, it was a massive crowd and a big pitch. Hopefully we do well in the cup and can find ourselves back there again.

“At Under 18s, we got to the Premier League Cup Final. We played Manchester City, who had Palmer, Delap and McAtee. We got pumped!

“But we beat Chelsea on the route to that final. It was a tiny taste of how good a cup run can be. I’m really keen to experience that again, but on a bigger level. The fans would love a cup run with some special moments, so we’ll be working to try and deliver that.”

Our quarter-final tie against Dundee United will take place on Friday 20 September at Fir Park. 

Kick off is 7.45pm.

The match will be streamed live on the Premier Sports website.

Premier Sports will broadcast exclusive live coverage of all 4 Premier Sports Cup Quarter Final games.

Motherwell fans can use promocode FITBA99 to access Premier Sports for £99 annual fee – a saving of almost 50% – offer expires 8 September.

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online.

Watch the game in style with exceptional and great value hospitality at Fir Park.

Centenary Suite

• 2-course meal served to your table
• Pay bar available from 17.30, half-time and one-hour after the final whistle
• Half-time pie served with tea and coffee
• Match ticket
• Match programme and teamsheet
• Man of the match interview

Price: £45

Kids Price: £22 (13 and under)

Cooper Box

• 2x complimentary drinks served to your box pre-match
• Access to Cooper Suite pre-match, half-time and at full-time for refreshments
• Half-time buffet served in the Cooper Suite
• Indoor seat in an executive Cooper Box
• Match programme and teamsheet

Price: £42pp

Dress code for all areas is smart. No jeans, trainers or colours permitted.

To book, please phone our hospitality team on 01698 338003 or email: hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk

Motherwell welcome Hearts to Fir Park on Sunday 25 August in the William Hill Premiership. 

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

• Young Adults tickets would ages 14-17.
• Juveniles would be 13 and under
• Ticket Office open from 11am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

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.

What else is happening?

SSPCA will be on hand collecting money for a bucket collection.

SSPCA are Scotland’s only all animal rescue service and they aim to provide the best place for animals to live. They rescue hundreds of animals every day. They lead the way for better animal welfare, improvement of animal related laws, maintaining the animal-human bond within society and improving protection of animals.

Bars

The Cooper Bar will be open from 12 noon serving food and drink. The bar will re-open for one-hour following the match.

Our popular Beer Garden will open from 12.30 for drinks and hot rolls, weather permitting (home fans only).

Hospitality

You can watch the match by purchasing one of our popular hospitality packages.

Season ticket holders can upgrade to hospitality for as little as £49pp.  There is limited availability in the Centenary Suite so don’t delay and contact the hospitality department at hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk or call 01698 338011 to book of for details on all our packages.

Ticket Office

The ticket office will open from 11am until kick-off.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Injury Update

Callum Slattery, Harry Paton, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Ross Callachan, Sam Nicholson, Shane Blaney and Johnny Koutroumbis remain out for this game.

Filip Stuparevic is a doubt.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

The Steelmen booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup with a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock last Sunday at Fir Park. Moses Ebiye scored his fourth Motherwell goal in the first-half of extra-time, converting from debutant Tawanda Maswanhise’s impressive cross.

Stuart Kettlewell’s side have registered a draw and defeat in their Premiership campaign thus far. A 0-0 draw on the opening day against Ross County was followed by a 2-1 defeat to title chasers Rangers at Hampden.

Injuries may have hamstrung manager Kettlewell’s options but performances have been largely impressive going into match day three.

Opposition Report

Hearts crashed out of the Premier Sports Cup at the hands of Championship side Falkirk on Saturday. A 2-0 defeat was not ideal preparation for their trip to Czech Republic on Thursday night as they face FC Viktoria Plzeň in the Europa League playoff.

That was back-to-back defeats for the Jambos as they lost out 3-1 to Dundee at Dens Park a week prior.

Despite a slower start in the league, the Hearts squad is stacked with quality. Former Motherwell man Blair Spittal joined in the summer, with ex Ross County man Yan Dhanda also making the switch.

Liam Boyce is back fit following his injury layoff last season as he looks to form a bond on the pitch with top goalscorer Lawrence Shankland.

The women of steel travel across North Lanarkshire tomorrow evening, as Motherwell prepare to face defending champions Celtic at the Albert Bartlett stadium.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

Motherwell swiftly return to competitive action after another convincing display against Montrose at K-Park. Rachel Todd netted her third SWPL goal, with Bailey Collins and Morgan Cross also finding the target in a three-goal victory at East Kilbride.

Summer acquisition Sienna McGoldrick made her first competitive start for the club after penning a season-long loan deal from Celtic. Bailey Collins continued her goalscoring form after netting the opener against Spartans on the opening day of the 2024/25 SWPL campaign.

The women of steel will be looking to continue their winning start to the league campaign when they face Celtic in North Lanarkshire, with Paul Brownlie’s side sitting level on points at the top of the SWPL table.

Celtic 

Defending champions Celtic have firmly picked up from where they left off, coasting past Dundee United with an assured 9-goal victory at Celtic Park before defeating preceding champions Glasgow City by a solitary goal.

Ticket information 

Tickets can be purchased through the Celtic ticketing website here:

• Adult – £10
• Under 16s – £5

How to follow the action 

Supporters can follow Wednesday’s encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match. Kick-off from the Albert Bartlett stadium at 7.20PM.

Never fall in love with a loan player. That’s the unwritten rule when it comes to a fan’s obsession with a new recruit. But does the rule change when that loan move becomes a permanent one?

Well, for Peter Hartley, it certainly seemed to be the case. A man who showed passion every time he crossed the white line, mixed with his enforcer-type mannerism, meant he quickly established a loving relationship with the ‘Well supporters in the stands.

But his journey to Fir Park was one that came about in a strange way. Hartley joined Motherwell at the end of the summer transfer window in 2017 on loan, but what made the move that bit stranger was that he joined Blackpool on a permanent deal earlier in the window, despite Stephen Robinson wanting to bring him to North Lanarkshire.

“I spoke to Stephen Robinson in the summer, as my wife had just given birth to our first child,” Hartley said.

“At the time, I was with Bristol Rovers, and I had said to the manager that I needed to move closer to home. Lincoln,

Blackpool, Luton and Motherwell had all come in for me. Luton was out of the question straight away as it was too far away.

“I chose Blackpool, basically because it was the closest to where I lived. The conversations with Robinson were unreal and in the back of my head, I did want to go to Motherwell. After two days at Blackpool, I was thinking, what on earth have I done here?

“Pre-season started and the start of the season came next; I didn’t get in a couple of the squads. Gary Bowyer and I had a conflict of interests, so I rang Carl McHugh on my way back from a game. Ben Heneghan was departing. Carl said to give him two minutes and that he was next to the manager.

“Within 20 minutes, Robinson had rang me and told me to get up the road. He said that he’d sign me on loan until January, so I went back to Bowyer and told him that I’m away; he was like, what do you mean, you’ve just joined? But I signed the deal, didn’t look back, loved it, and still support the club now. It’s the first result I look for.”

And just like that, Peter Hartley was a Motherwell player, albeit only on loan. But in the building and straight into the action, he wasted no time in making his mark.

Something that he had been looking to do prior to arrival.

“My initial goal of the loan was to get a permanent contract because I didn’t want to go back to Blackpool,” Hartley explained.

“All I was thinking was, play well, and hopefully the manager will see enough for him to keep me. Thankfully, that happened. A lot of my friends were up there as well.

“Curtis Main joined the season after, but McHugh was there, who is my best mate, Tom Aldred also. A lot of people who I was close with in the football world were playing in the same team. That is unique.

“That speaks volumes for the success we had under Robinson because we were close as mates as well as a team. You know if you’ve got a bunch of mates on the same team together, you never want to let them down.”

It’s that good group of players who reached two cup finals in the 2017/18 season. But in only Hartley’s third game for Motherwell, he faced off against Aberdeen in the League Cup quarter-final at Fir Park.

With the chance to return to Hampden and reach a first League Cup semi-final in seven years looming, Hartley and his teammates produced one of the best performances under Robinson and thrashed Aberdeen 3-0 under the Fir Park lights.

“That game against Aberdeen stands out in my mind for one reason,” the former defender said.

“That is the most one-sided, dominant game I’ve ever been involved in as a professional player. Usually, you have 20 minutes where you’re on top and then the opposition has a spell. The momentum changes, but for that game we were the better team for 90 minutes.

“It was just relentless. Allan Campbell was superb. Cedric [Kipre], Charles Dunne, and I were all solid defensively. Louis Moult was on absolute flames. Everything just clicked; we could’ve played anyone in the league that night and won comfortably.

“On my debut against Kilmarnock, I came off with cramp. But that Aberdeen game kick started my relationship with the fans. Everyone knew what I was about after that; it was a good base to build from.”

That wonderful 3-0 win setup a semi-final match against Rangers at Hampden.

Although the task may have seemed daunting to a supporter, in the dressing room, there was always the feeling that the upset could be a possibility.

“It’s all about belief,” the former skipper added.

“And that’s before you even get on the pitch. You’ve got to find a way as a leader, whether that’s the manager or leaders in the dressing room, to make the followers believe they can win the game.

“Trevor Carson and I went to watch Rangers play Hamilton ten days before the semi-final. I remember standing and thinking that there was nothing for us to be scared of. I was thinking we could do them.

“Going into training, that was all I spoke about. I kept saying they’re beatable and that we stick to the plan. Do whatever we need to do to win. Beat them to the first challenge, play them off the park, control space and we’ll be fine.

“That day is right up there, but I’ve got two days that are my favourites. That one where we beat Rangers to reach the final but also a game for Plymouth where I scored in the 91st minute against Portsmouth to take us to Wembley.

“They are the most beautiful days in my memory. You have lots of downs and lows. When you’re lucky enough to experience days like that, it makes it all feel worth it. All the downs, turmoil, doubting yourself, and controlling your emotions suddenly are worth it.”

A famous 2-0 win over Rangers at Hampden that day secured Motherwell’s progression to the League Cup final. The post-match celebrations live long in the memory of the supporters in the stands that day, but it was also a special day for the players.

That successful period was down to hard work, quality when it mattered, and a team that played to their strengths.

“We knew how we were going to win games,” Hartley stated.

“We were a big, physical team. We had guys like Andy Rose, myself, Kipre, Bowman and McHugh. We knew we weren’t going to look pretty but we’d be effective. The manager knew that and all credit goes to him. He’s been successful playing that way but he also changed the club’s philosophy and fundamentals a couple years later. We finished third that season, fair play to him.”

Those memories live with Hartley. They’re moments that he treasures dearly and holds onto and when asked what his main highlight at Motherwell was, it wasn’t actually a match moment. It was when he witnessed the importance of the club to its supporters.

“My main highlight was driving into Hampden and seeing all the fans,” he recalled.

“It was then that I realised just how many people live in Motherwell. But I also loved the moment after the semi-final win against Aberdeen, when we went over and did the thunderclap with them.

“Everything is about the fans. Without them, nothing would be special. Motherwell fans are loyal and they back the team through thick and thin. To see smiles on their faces and repay them with success on the pitch is a standout moment for me.”

Peter Hartley has now embarked on the next chapter of his life. The 36-year-old called time on his playing career earlier this month and has hung up the boots.

“It wasn’t a tricky decision,” he said.

“I spoke with a lot of former players, friends, and even coaches, and they all said the same thing. They all said play as long as you can, as it’s a long time retired. But I knew it was time.

“There was something inside of me, I could’ve played for another two years but I just didn’t have the same buzz.

“I became more interested in the coaching side of things and developing the session. I’d wake up on a game day and I’d rather have been stood on the sidelines. I didn’t know what was ahead of me, but I just knew I wanted to coach.

“Middlesbrough have given me a great opportunity to get some experience but my end goal is to be a head coach. I’ve got some learning to do but I’d rather be a young coach than an older player. I’m head of Under 16s here, and I’m working five days a week. It’s a great team and we have a couple of lads already training with the first team.”

With him now transferring into coaching, Motherwell fans won’t be able to see Hartley pull on the claret and amber one more time. However, the door has been left wide open for a return as a fan.

“I’d love nothing more than to come back up,” he laughed.

“Stuart Kettlewell is doing a great job. As a fan, I’ll be up there when time allows. I’ve actually still got a place in Motherwell; I just love the club and community. I’ll be up in the near future to support the boys and coaches. I hope I get a decent welcome from the fans!”

Signing from Glasgow Women in the summer of 2022, Lucy Ronald quickly established her place at the core of the Motherwell midfield, earning the women’s player of the year award in her maiden season, but a serious injury sustained in the latter stages of the league campaign would suddenly rule the midfielder out of action.

483 days later, the 22-year-old returned to action on the very pitch that left her side-lined over a year and a half ago.

“It’s a really good feeling,” the midfielder explained.

“It’s been such a long time coming for myself personally and dreaming of the moment I could get back on the pitch kept me going through the recovery time.

“Getting back onto the same pitch that I last played on felt very emotional and I am really looking forward to the season ahead.”

A physically and mentally demanding challenge for the midfielder came to a hopeful and uplifting conclusion last weekend, as the women of steel kicked off the 2024/25 SWPL campaign with a comfortable 5-1 victory over Spartans in the Scottish capital.

Ronald took to the pitch in the latter stages of the second-half to the applause of both sides.

“It almost feels like it was meant to be,” Ronald noted.

“Around sixteen months ago, I landed very unfortunately on my right leg and instantly knew it was bad. Initially, I was told that my knee was dislocated, but in the following days it was confirmed it was an ACL injury which I knew was about a 9-12 month recovery process.

“Anyone who’s experienced an ACL injury will understand that the mental challenge is the most difficult aspect of recovery to face. Returning to the same pitch can be a massive contributor to that anxiety, so for me, I’m really pleased and relieved to get that one out of the way.

“I’ve never been injured in my career up until this point and missing out on the Scottish Cup Semi-Final at Hampden Park and experiencing playing at Fir park was hard for me to watch from the sidelines, but my biggest motivation was to experience the feeling of returning after working so hard. There is nothing sweeter than that.”

Even at 22, the youngster has had a wealth of experience in the women’s game, captaining Glasgow Women at only 18-years-old and has since become an integral component of the Motherwell squad, playing through the majority of her maiden season in claret and amber.

Ronald’s return to the matchday squad will strengthen Paul Brownlie’s revitalised squad after six fresh additions within the summer transfer window.

“The squads in a really good place,” Ronald emphasised.

“We’ve had a good pre-season and the players we’ve added to the squad as we saw on Sunday are already contributing to the team, which is always a positive sign, so hopefully we can continue to grow through the season.

“The atmosphere is great; it’s such a good group of girls. It’s nice to see how much we care about each other on and off the pitch and that has real impact in how we perform.

“I’m probably being a bit more realistic with myself this season. I’ve missed so much football and know it will take me awhile to get back to where I was and build on my confidence.

I want to perform well and have a really good season, I’ll always have those high expectations for myself but it’s also being realistic in the fact that it will take time.