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We were saddened to learn of the passing of former forward Jimmy O’Rourke this morning.

Born in Edinburgh on the 18th September 1946, Jimmy is perhaps better know for his association with Hibernian. Plucked straight from schools football in 1962, he made his Hibs debut at the age of 16 setting a new record for the youngest player to represent the Easter Road club, a record which he kept for over four decades.

A bustling forward, he flourished under the guidance of Eddie Turnbull.

Despite suffering the disappointment of losing the 1972 Scottish Cup Final, when the Hibee’s fell to a 6-1 defeat by Celtic, he did enjoy a degree of revenge as he scored in the League Cup Final later in the year as both clubs met again, this time Hibs came out on top.

The former Scotland youth international was somewhat controversially sold to St Johnstone for a fee of just £15,000, essentially he had to make way for Joe Harper who arrived at the club for a significant sum from Everton.

At Muirton Park he helped the Saints win promotion, In July 1979 it was Willie McLean who brought him to Fir Park in a deal which saw Ian Taylor head to Perth.

Jimmy was comfortable playing at either centre and inside forward and had a tremendous eye for goal. He enjoyed a fruitful league debut for the Steelmen as he scored twice against Ayr United in a 4-1 win.

O’Rourke was a player of quality but the then 29 year old would only manage two seasons at Fir Park due to frustrations with injuries. There were some high points across those two seasons – a hat-trick in the exciting 5-4 win over Kilmarnock and the winner against Celtic at Celtic Park in a new year fixture. He would make over 50 appearances in claret and amber, scoring 16 goals.

After his departure from Lanarkshire he would hang up his boots and become a coach at Hibernian where he was reunited with his old mentor Eddie Turnbull.

Jimmy died surrounded by his family at his home in Edinburgh aged 76.

Everyone at Motherwell Football Club would like to express our sympathy and condolences to the O’Rourke family at this sad time.

Career words: MotherwellNet

It’s time to vote for your Paycare player of the month for November. 

Up for nomination is, Blair Spittal, Sean Goss, Ricki Lamie and Matt Penney.

Games played this month

• Hearts 3-2 Motherwell
• Motherwell 1-2 Celtic
• St Johnstone 1-1 Motherwell

Blair Spittal

Racking up his second and third Motherwell goals this month, Blair Spittal finished strong.

The midfielder netted cooly to level the game at Tynecastle from Stuart McKinstry’s through ball. He also scored our only goal of the game in Perth to level the match from a free kick just outside the box.

Sean Goss

Reaching 50 games at Motherwell in Perth, Sean Goss has been a consistent performer in the middle of the pitch.

He was involved in the build up to both goals at Tynecastle, playing the outside of foot pass to Penney prior to Moult being fouled. The midfielder also took the quick free kick that led to Ross Tierney’s goal against Celtic.

Goss was fouled on the edge of the box for the free kick that Blair Spittal went onto score. He has played every minute of every match since he came off against Celtic at Parkhead back on 1 October.

Ricki Lamie

Yet another nomination for vice captain Ricki Lamie for player of the month.

The commanding centre half has played every minute in what has been a hectic run of games. Commanding in the air and a threat going forward, Lamie has made vital defensive blocks and tackles that could have led to clear cut chances for the opposition.

Matt Penney

Nominated every month for player of the month since he arrived from Ipswich on loan in the summer and narrowly missing oout on the last award, Matt Penney has continued his fine run of form.

He setup Louis Moult at Tynecastle, where the striker was brought down in the area by goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

The full-back has played every minute since his debut against Inverness in August and continues to impress the ‘Well support.

Lanarkshire women are being offered free places on a football coaching course – even if they’ve never kicked a ball! 

Motherwell FC Community Trust and the Well Society have teamed up to offer the places in the hope that local women will step forward learn new skills, increase their confidence and make an impact on young lives.

“We’ve seen a huge interest in the women’s game, and the girls development centre at Motherwell FC Community Trust is going from strength to strength,” said Andy Thomson, Football Development Manager at the Trust.

“But we routinely see young girls drop out of teams because of a lack of female role models, and we want to address that. We want to change perceptions that football coaching is for men only.”

“The football will take care of itself,” Andy continued, “What we’re looking for is women who can adapt and grow, and who want to make a difference in their community, as well as their own lives. We want to give them the opportunity to be part of a team and help coach young female players, regardless of their own footballing ability.”

The Well Society have covered the costs of five spaces on the Scottish FA’s Level 1.1 Introduction to coaching course. Along with practical support from the Trust, individuals will learn aspects like being responsible, organised and disciplined – qualities which can prepare them for any area of life.

Douglas Dickie, co-chair of the Society said: “When people in the community take ownership of their future, it can have a profound effect, which goes beyond sport. We would encourage anyone who is thinking about a change, or a challenge, or who needs to take on this type of role for career development to get in touch.”

Women aged 16 or over in the local area who are interested in finding out more should contact Andrew.Thomson@motherwellfc.co.uk

As Motherwell rounded off their league campaign prior to the 2022 Fifa World Cup, they played their third match in six days against St Johnstone in Perth. 

With an ever growing injury list for Steven Hammell to deal with, the five week break couldn’t have came at a better time.

In a match of very few chances, it was St Johnstone who got their noses in front through Drey Wright after 26 minutes.

Despite the hectic fixture schedule of the last six weeks, Motherwell dug deep and got level just before half time through Blair Spittal’s free kick.

In the second half, there were very few chances and the game ended in a draw, something that the Steelmen haven’t done enough of thus far this season.

Defender Max Johnston has been named in Scotland’s under 21 squad for their upcoming friendly match at Fir Park. 

Scotland take on Iceland in Lanarkshire on Thursday 17 November at the home of the Steelmen and with player withdrawals, Johnston will take his place in his first under 21 squad.

The 18-year-old has been impressing on loan at Cove Rangers this season and will join up with his Scotland teammates this week in Edinburgh.

Our loan boys continued to get minutes in the legs this week as they will continue to play throughout the FIFA 2022 World Cup.

Max Johnston

Max Johnston continued his run of games playing the full match for Cove Rangers when they travelled to Arbroath.

Going behind in the first half, Cove fought until the end and equalised in stoppage time to earn a point.

Scott Fox

Scott Fox was an unused sub in Queen of the South’s 5-1 defeat to Alloa Athletic.

Robbie Mahon

Robbie Mahon got his first start for Dunfermline on Saturday at East End Park, where Clyde were the visitors.

Clyde, under the new management of Jim Duffy, came out of the traps flying and went 2-0 ahead. Mahon was a half time substitute as Dunfermline looked to get back into the game.

The match ended 2-2 after a second half comeback from the Pars.

Ewan Wilson

Fresh from his suspension, Ewan Wilson returned to the starting eleven for Albion Rovers as they travelled to promotion chasers East Fife.

The full back played the full 90 minutes, with Albion pulling off a terrific 3-2 to victory on the road.

Daniel Hunter

Daniel Hunter was an unused substitute for Cumbernauld Colts when they beat Caledonian Braves 4-1 on Saturday at Broadwood.

Logan Dunachie

With two games in the space of three days, East Kilbride scored 11 goals this week, conceding none in the process.

With a 6-0 victory against Gretna and a 5-0 win against Berwick Rangers, Logan Dunachie played the full 90 in both fixtures as he rounded off an impressive week for Kilby.

“We’ve not drew enough games like that this season.

“The break is a chance to improve and to give the fans a team that they can be proud of.”

Motherwell went into the World Cup break with a 1-1 draw at McDiarmid Park against St Johnstone.

A Drey Wright opener was cancelled out by Blair Spittal’s free kick right on the stroke of half time.

After a tight opening exchange, St Johnstone pounced after a Motherwell attack broke down.

Adam Montgomery coolly collected Graham Carey’s cross-field pass before feeding through David Wotherspoon. Crafting out the angle to get his shot away, Liam Kelly fended the effort directly into the path of Wright to send the Saints ahead.

Motherwell stayed in the game and got themselves back on level terms on the stroke of half time.

Sean Goss was fouled on the edge of the box and although the midfielder stood over the subsequent free kick, it was Blair Spittal who took and his effort found the back of the net.

In the second half, Stuart McKinstry seen his effort fly high over the bar in what was the ‘Well’s best chance.

With the game finishing 1-1, Motherwell remain ninth in the table and six points off third place.

Manager Steven Hammell will access what players are available for the trip to St Johnstone over the next 24 hours. 

The winter break has come at a good time for Motherwell, with the squad plagued by injuries but the Motherwell boss insists his team will give it everything they’ve got to come back from Perth with all three points.

Our fixture against Kilmarnock will now take place on Friday 23 December at Fir Park. 

Kick off is 7:45pm.

The match was originally scheduled to take place on Saturday 24 December.

Both Motherwell and Kilmarnock made the request to the fixture change months ago.

SPFL, Sky Sports and Police Scotland all agreed for the change to go ahead this week.