| 2 | Celtic | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 15 |
| 3 | Rangers | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 10 |
| 4 | Motherwell | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
| 5 | Dundee United | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 9 |
| 6 | St Mirren | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -2 | 8 |
Kofi Balmer discusses how he has remained professional and patient as he waited for his first appearance in the league. Balmer also speaks about what he might have to do to keep his place in the side.
The former Crystal Palace man talks about who has helped him to where he has got to today.
Motherwell Football Club Community Trust officially opened Fir Park Training Centre on Monday.
The official unveiling of the rejuvenated facility, located directly behind the John Hunter Stand at Fir Park, welcomed leading community officials including North Lanarkshire Council Provost Kenneth Duffy.
“We’re absolutely delighted to have the official opening of our training centre,” Motherwell FC Community Trust CEO Dawn Middleton emphasised.
“This was quite a long-term project and we’re incredibly grateful to the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund which we secured through North Lanarkshire Council, and the Scottish Football Association’s DCMS levelling up Facilities Fund which enabled us to fully fund the project.
“We only have this one chance to get everything in place, and it means that this is now a top-class training facility which gives so much more to our community teams, the projects we deliver and the local community in Motherwell.
“It’s an area where people can come without feeling the imposing buildings of a stadium, but this new facility, still within the footprint of Fir Park offers them that opportunity to come into a safe space where they’ll be welcomed and there are staff and projects to support them.”
The development of Fir Park Training Centre was funded by the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Funding to the tune of £215,000 with match funding, including £190,000 from the Scottish FA’s DCMS Facilities Fund, bringing the total project to just over £500,000.
The existing synthetic surface was upgraded with a new shock pad and top-quality playing surface, including new 5-, 7-, 9- and 11-a-side goals.
“Motherwell Football Club Community Trust play an absolute incredible role within the local area,” North Lanarkshire Council Provost Kenneth Duffy added.
“They do projects tackling loneliness, poverty, and inequalities in their community and these new facilities go a long way in helping improve those outcomes.
“Motherwell Football Club sit in a league of their own when it comes to community empowerment. The team here do an incredible job day in day out and we’re very lucky to have them.”
Around the pitch ball stop nets were installed along with spectator fencing to reduce incursion to the new surface.
Two brand-new storage containers were also placed at one side of the Fir Park Training Centre enabling the Community Trust to deliver a series of programmes within the ‘Well Hub’ and “Coaching Hub” facilities.
“We were absolutely delighted to have the Provost Kenneth Duffy along,” Dawn Middleton noted.
“He has been a long-term supporter of our work and has been a fantastic asset to the local authority, so to have his recognition of what we’ve built and what we’re developing for our people, that’s huge for us and it means so much that he took time out of a very busy schedule to come along and see what we do.”
The new Hubs will provide accessible facilities, with the main Trust offices being located on the top floor of the Cooper Stand. The new facility is a welcome addition and provides a fantastic facility for community teams and programmes.
“We’re absolutely delighted,” Kris Wales, Scottish FA Club Services Project Co-ordinator explained.
“It’s a brilliant facility, one we’re delighted to be able to support through funding and investment with the Scottish FA and it encapsulates exactly what the grassroots pitch and facilities fund is all about.
“The facilities funding has provided areas like Motherwell with an opportunity to provide football activity that can become the heart of a community. To be able to have that opportunity to invest in facilities is something that is incredibly important to us at the Scottish FA.
“Investment for us is about enhancing that power of football and to be able to invest into those community football spaces to provide areas for people of all ages to be part of something throughout the community. This is absolutely key to everything we’re trying to achieve within the Association.”
“Every time I come out here, there are changes and development,” Alan Morgan, Scottish FA Central Region Manager supported.
“It’s great to see how the investment we’re putting in turns into more participation of people using the facility. We’ve been on a journey within the Scottish FA for many years now to try to support and develop our clubs to be the heartbeat of the community and have that identity.
“Without a good facility that is not possible, so as we try to support the clubs on that journey, the facility development becomes really important as well.”
Manager Stuart Kettlewell remains firmly focused on the week-on-week challenges his team face. Despite the strong start to the league and cup campaigns, Kettlewell ensured nobody is getting ahead of themselves and the team will continue to keep their feet on the ground.
Kettlewell also discusses the impressive Lennon Miller, as well as his analysis of David Gray’s Hibernian side.
Goalkeeper Krisztián Hegyi will head off with the Hungarian Under 21 side ahead of their October fixtures.
Hungary will play the next two matches in their Euro Under 21 qualifying campaign.
With two games left to play, the Hungarians are six points off a qualification spot.
They play in at home in their first match against Malta on 10 October, before travelling to Belgium on 15 October.
Deadline day moves always bring a bit of added excitement. The rush to get things over the line in time. The last-minute dash to complete a medical. The announcement.
It’s all part of the fun. For young Lucy Barclay, her move came at the last knockings of the summer window. Arriving from SWPL champions Celtic, 17-year-old Barclay made the switch as she begins to build-up her experience in the Scottish top-flight.
“Motherwell was the perfect destination for me,” Barclay said.
“I was so chuffed to get the move complete, and it’s now just a case of me getting my head down and trying to get minutes on the pitch.
“It made sense to come here. Motherwell have a track record of playing young players and building them up. The team has ambitions to compete against the best clubs in Scotland, and I want to be a part of that.
“They are a competitive club within the SWPL, and having watched them many times, I was impressed by their attractive style of football, which I’m looking to positively contribute to.”
Barclay made a name for herself very early on in her career. Making her debut for the Hoops at just 16, she is looking for that continued progression though the ranks.
But playing for the champions is no easy feat, and Barclay felt that she needed a move to continue her development.
“I was looking to move throughout the summer,” she added.
“There was an injury I had been carrying from last season, so I wasn’t able to fully train. There were a number of clubs interested, but Motherwell, with Paul and Leanne’s experience, was the one that was interesting.
“I’ve been training with the team for a few weeks, so I’m just glad to get the move confirmed.”
A right-back by trade, now 17-year-old Barclay was named on the bench for the first time against Glasgow City two weeks ago. Keeping her head down and professionalism up, the young. Defender is determined to make an impact in her time in ML1.
“Paul’s expectations from me are to work hard and show determination to help the team,” she explained.
“He wants me to make a contribution to training and games. My own ambition is to gain first-team SWPL experience. The team is looking to be competitive and aiming for a top-six finish in the league, with progression in the cup competitions.”
The women of steel have made a positive start to league proceedings. Currently in 7th place, with nine points from eight outings, Paul Brownlie’s side have impressed. Narrowly losing out to Glasgow City was a bitter pill to swallow, given the chances squandered against a top side, but in their last match, Motherwell dispatched six goals past Queens Park.
Laura Berry returned to Motherwell on deadline day and scored four in just her second match since returning. With the team in a good place, Barclay has her eyes set on improvement. But as she takes a moment to reflect, she is reminded of what she had already achieved within the game.
“I have two highlights, one for club and the other for country,” Barclay said.
“Firstly, making my SWPL debut against Hibernian for Celtic. I was only 16, and I was proud to have reached that milestone so early in my career.
“My other was captaining Scotland at Under-16 level. It will always be an honour to represent my country; it’s something anyone should be proud of. But to be trusted with the responsibility of the armband, that’s a different level.
“It shows trust, and if I’m honest, I do like to be a leader on the park. Whether that is from central midfield positions or on the right/left wing. I will always try my best.
“I enjoy not only creating and scoring goals but also the tactical defence side of the game. Rose Reilly is an inspiration, and I enjoy watching Caroline Weir play.
“You learn so much by watching and analysing. Anything that can help me improve as a player, I’ll do it.”
It’s time to vote for your G4 Claims player of the month for September.
Lennon Miller, Aston Oxborough, Ewan Wilson and Liam Gordon are all up for nomination.
To vote, head over to the Motherwell Facebook page.
Jack Dalziel, Lucas Weir and Arron Thomson have all been called up to Scotland’s Under 16 squad.
It’s victory shield action for Scotland this month, as they face off against Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Scotland last won this tournament outright in 2013, and have also came joint top in 2019 and 2021.
Season ticket holders will be able to purchase up to six tickets each and these will be made available to purchase online or in person at the Ticket Office from 12 noon on Thursday 3 October.
The club have been given an initial allocation of 7,500 tickets, with the potential of up to 14,000 depending on sales. Motherwell fans will be in sections of the South and East stands at Hampden Park with ticket pricing below:
Please note that your Season Ticket customer number is XXX. Details of how to register and activate your account prior to tickets going online is attached. We would encourage as many supporters as possible to purchase online where you will be able to view and select your own seats.
If purchasing online or by phone, you will be contacted when your tickets are ready for collection.
Ticket Office opening hours for the remainder of the week:
Other Information:
General sale of all remaining tickets will be available from Tuesday 15th October at 9am online and from the Ticket Office.
If you haven’t already registered online and you are a season ticket holder, you must ACTIVATE YOUR CUSTOMER NUMBER.
For Season Tickets holders to be able to purchase Semi Final tickets, you will need to have activated your account that is associated with the season card allowing purchase.
If you want to buy additional match tickets, then be prepared by activating additional accounts or ask your friends to activate their own accounts and supply you with their information so you can add them into your network.
How do I activate my account?
Adding friends and family members to ‘My Network’
All season ticket holder accounts must be activated online before you will be able to purchase for additional season ticket holders, you can add your friends or family members to ‘My Network’.
This then shows you the person and you select add to Network.
They will now appear as part of YOUR current NETWORK and will be selectable when you need assign additional match tickets during the purchase process, excluding Cup Games.
YOU are now ready to purchase tickets online.
How can I purchase tickets for someone who is a season ticket holder?
To allow you the ability to purchase tickets on someone’s behalf, you need to send a request to the individual to be managed.
Please note:- If both accounts use the same email address, e.g. Father and son have the same contact details, you must sign into the account of the person you sent the request to.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE PRIVILEGES TO MANAGE YOUR FRIENDS ACCOUNT THEN YOU CANNOT BUY TICKETS ON THEIR BEHALF.
Buying tickets
To purchase tickets, please select the game from the list of games available and select your seats from the seating plan.
If you are purchasing more than 6 tickets and have more than 1 season ticket holder in your account, you need to assign the additional ticket to the other season ticket holders.
Centenary Suite and 91 Lounge Hospitality Package
Price £100pp
Exclusive Hospitality Package (Boardroom)
Price £165pp
Motherwell academy duo Ewan Wilson and Lennon Miller are in the Scotland Under 21 squad.
With both players impressing during the September international fixtures, the two 18-year-olds will be looking to help their side secure qualification to the Under 21 Euros.
Scotland are in second place on 16 points and in their first match, face Belgium who are also on 16 points. The match will take place on Friday 11 October.
It’s then a long haul flight to Almaty on Tuesday 15 October to face Kazakhstan in their final group match.
Motherwell were eliminated from the Youth Cup on Tuesday afternoon, following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Ross County.
Torran Lambie’s penalty was the difference between the sides in a match that saw plenty of action.
That action started after just four minutes. Zack Tomany managed to get on the end of Mikey Booth’s corner; however, the winger’s header went just wide of the post.
Three minutes later, Ross County’s Calum Brown forced a good save from Jack McConnell in the Motherwell net after the Staggies broke forward.
Jakub Leszcynski went nearest next for County, with the forward muscling his way past the Motherwell defender but shooting wide.
Tomany went close again on 14 minutes. The winger picked up the ball on the left-edge of the box, cut inside, and curled an effort on target, but Jayden Reid was on hand to tip over the bar.
On 28 minutes, the best chance of the game arrived. Arran Clark fed a lovely ball in behind for Zander McAllister; the midfielder continued his run and poked the ball past the on-rushing keeper. The ball rolled towards goal, but the Ross County defence got back in time to scramble clear.
Five minutes later, captain Booth curled the ball around the wall from a free-kick and found the inside of the post with the keeper beaten.
Motherwell stopper McConnell was called into action on 40 minutes when, at the end of a Ross County counter, Leszcynski unleashed a strike towards goal, but the keeper got a strong fingertip to the effort to keep the ball out.
The second half was somewhat quieter. But on 52 minutes, the match-winning moment arrived. Left-back Andrew Arnott was punished for diving in to block a shot in the area. The full-back’s attempt at the block ended up in him colliding with the County player, and the referee pointed to the spot.
Substitute Lambie stepped up and, despite McConnell going the right way, converted. 0-1.
That goal sparked Richard Foster into making some alternations to his side, with the introduction of Nathan Lawson.
It almost had the perfect impact instantly after conceding. Rocco McColm fired just wide of the post, when a cross into the area eventually fell for the midfielder.
Lucas Weir and Robbie Hunter were introduced to the action, and it was the former who came close with a header on 70 minutes from a glancing header.
Weir again went close four minutes later, when he held the ball in back to goal, swivelled, and got a shot away, which was saved.
Ultimately, their efforts would come to nothing, and Ross County held onto the win, progressing to the fourth round of the Youth Cup.
“It’s been a disappointing day,” Richard Foster said.
“Firstly, you always want to progress in the cup. We haven’t achieved that, and that’s a sore one to take.
“But secondly, our performance wasn’t there. We saw in flashes some spark from individuals, but nowhere near the level I know these players can reach.
“There was a lack of fight and energy. That’s something we have addressed openly in the dressing room after the game.”
Motherwell: McConnell (GK), Williamson, Gillies, Marshall, Arnott, McAllister (Forrest 61′), Booth, McColm, Tomany (Weir 61′), McLean (Hunter 61′), Clark (Lawson 52′).
Motherwell subs: Friel, Creer, Thomson, Forrest (61), Lawson (52′), Hunter (61), Weir (61).
