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We officially celebrated the naming of the Tommy McLean Stand during the final cinch Premiership match of the season against Dundee United on Sunday.

New signage was unveiled as players and staff who worked closely with McLean gathered to mark the significant contribution the former manager made to the Lanarkshire outfit.

Chris McCart and Iain Ferguson of the 1991 Scottish Cup winning side, and Brian Martin, Alex Burns and Bobby Russell, joined former coach Cammy Murray on the pitch to mark the occasion.

Well Society chairman Douglas Dickie handed over a framed photograph of the Tommy McLean Stand to Murray, who worked alongside McLean as part of his coaching staff, and who represented him on Sunday at Fir Park.

“Tommy made a tremendous contribution to the history of Motherwell Football Club,” Cammy Murray said.

“He deserves to have his name in the fabric of Fir Park, alongside other great figures in the club’s history. He couldn’t be here in person, but I know he is humbled at this gesture.

“Tommy really is one of a kind. As a coach and being involved with him, I never came across anyone with the knowledge he had. He had this great ability to change things in the game and he gave the fans a decade they’ll never forget.”

Steve Kirk hailed McLean as the “best coach and manager” he’d ever worked under.

Well Society members voted to rename the South Stand after McLean in 2021, the same year he was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame.

It wasn’t just his tactical genius and man-management that was top notch. He was financially astute as well, acting as a club director alongside his managerial role, and bringing outstanding players like Davie Cooper to Fir Park.

“Tommy brokered the record deal for Phil O’Donnell which allowed the club, at that time, to go forward with the stadium’s South Stand – and it’s absolutely apt that now it’s named in tribute to him,” Douglas Dickie said.

“I am delighted that the club, and the fans, were able to celebrate his impact together at the weekend. We will share pictures and footage from the day with Tommy, to remind him how much he means to the club.

“Tommy is one of the most important figures in the club’s 137-year existence and certainly the most influential in our recent history.”

McLean’s first feat as manager was to steer the Steelman safely back to top-flight football in 1985.

He helped steady the club financially and, over his 10-year tenure, brought in a mix of youth and experience which delivered the Scottish Cup in 1991 and the club’s first venture in European football.

Formers players, fans and club representatives pay tribute to Tommy in this short video.

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Our 2022/23 Player of the Year event is sold out, but there’s still time to get on our waiting list if extra tickets become available.

Held at the Alona Hotel on Sunday 28th May and hosted by Tam Cowan, our event will see the top performers from across the campaign recognised.

To be added to the waiting list, please email events@motherwellfc.co.uk with your ticket requirements and we will be in touch if any tickets become available.

Players and staff from Motherwell Football Club’s youth academy, together with the North Lanarkshire Child Protection Committee, are working together to raise awareness about what we can all do to help keep North Lanarkshire’s children and young people safe.

We can all play our part by helping to make our communities safe, nurturing places for all children to grow up in.

Listening to what children say to us and taking any worries they have seriously helps children feel valued, respected and encourages them to speak up if they don’t feel safe.

The club is delighted to announce an extension to the long-established partnership which sees the youth academy continue to back the child protection message by displaying the Child Protection Committee logo on their tops throughout the season.

The club also displays prominent child protection messages around Fir Park, as well as information on how to report concerns. Motherwell will also promote important child protection messages through their social media and digital channels.

“We are delighted to continue our partnership between our academy and the Child Protection Committee,” Suzanne Reid, Head of Commercial & Marketing at Motherwell FC, said.

“The particular focus this year will be on keeping children safe online, especially on social media.

“Our academy players and coaches will work to spread the message of internet safety across our local area.”

For more information, go online.

Contacts
Childline – 0800 1111 (free 24 hour service), childline.org.uk
Parentline  – 08000 28 22 33 (free to call 9am-9pm Mon – Fri and 9am-12pm Sat – Sun)
CELCIS Protecting Children– celcis.org/our-work/protecting-children
Think u Know –  an education programme for children, young people parents and workers – thinkuknow.co.uk  

Join us on Sunday 28th May 2023 at the Alona Hotel, Strathclyde Park, for the Club’s prestigious Player of the Year 2022/23 Awards Dinner. 

Spend an evening in the company of the Motherwell first-team squad and management team and witness our top performers being recognised on the night.

Hosted by Tam Cowan, the night will consist of a 3-course meal and live entertainment.

Individual places are available at £72 inc VAT per person.  Tables are available in multiples of 10 or 12.

Public voting for some of the categories will be available shortly.

Buy your tickets online by clicking here.

Celebrate the start of the school summer holidays with our School’s Out event at Fir Park.

Our ‘T in the Fir Park’ themed party will see radio presenter Gavin Wallace play T in the Park headliners in addition to songs throughout the years.

Date: 28th June 2023
Location: Centenary Suite, Fir Park Stadium
Time: Doors open at 13.00
Cost: £18pp includes festival food
Dress code: Festival wear – bucket hats, wellies, sunglasses and flowers for your hair (not essential)

To book: please phone 01698 333333 or email Denise McCarthy at Denise.McCarthy@motherwellfc.co.uk

Stuart Kettlewell is the new manager of Motherwell Football Club.

Joining the club in the summer initially as the Lead Development Coach, Kettlewell took charge of first-team duties following the departure of Steven Hammell.

Picking up two wins, against St Mirren and Hearts, in his two games in charge, the 38-year-old was subsequently offered the job on a permanent basis, with his deal running initially to May 2024.

“Stuart impressed the board, not only with how he has got the team going in the last two games against St Mirren and Hearts, but with his vision for the club,” Chairman Jim McMahon said. 

“We took time to speak to a number of impressive candidates, each of whom had their own strengths, but Stuart was, in our eyes, the best person to take Motherwell forward.

“He has managed at this level, he’s already won a league title and a domestic cup and we could sense from him a real desire and determination to take this role on and improve us across all areas of the football department.”

He retired in 2016, having made over 300 appearances in his career turning out for Ross County, Clyde, Queen’s Park and Brora Rangers.

After announcing he was hanging up his boots in 2016, he began his coaching journey with Ross County at Under 17 level.

Working his way up the ranks, Kettlewell became Under 20s manager at Ross County, winning the 2016-17 SPFL Development League.

When Owen Coyle resigned as manager of The Staggies in March 2018, Kettlewell and then academy director Steven Ferguson were appointed co-managers of Ross County.

In their time in charge, they brought silverware to County, winning the 2018/19 Challenge Cup. They were also promoted straight back to the top flight, winning the Championship, at the first time of asking.

Alongside promotion, Kettlewell was instrumental in generating money for the club through player sales and helped steer the club through the coronavirus pandemic and behind-closed-door matches.

In June 2020, Kettlewell was placed in sole charge of the Dingwall side before leaving in December of that year.

Joining Motherwell in August, Kettlewell has been working closely with the Under 18s and Development Team to continue the progress of our young and exciting youth prospects.

“I’m immensely proud,” manager Stuart Kettlewell added.

“It’s been a whirlwind eight or nine days.

“I had a burning desire to take the job to see if I can take this club forward and be a catalyst to what we hope will be a good chapter for the football club.”

“I genuinely think I come to Motherwell a better manager than what I was previously and I hope that is something that appeals to the Motherwell supporters.

“There’s some real good players here. I wouldn’t have taken the job had I felt there was a real issue with the playing squad.

“This is a community club. It’s important that we join that up. I think this club is unique. It now becomes my job to drive it forward.”

Stuart will name his assistant manager in due course. The vacant lead development coach role will also be filled in the near future.

We have parted company with manager Steven Hammell.

His assistant Brian Kerr will also leave the club.

Stuart Kettlewell has agreed to take interim charge of the first-team until a permanent appointment has been made.

“Steven Hammell is and will forever be a colossus in Motherwell Football Club history,” chairman Jim McMahon said.

“Unfortunately, due to a number of factors, his time in charge hasn’t worked out the way we all really hoped it would.

“Although this decision has been difficult, we feel it is necessary as we look towards the last third of the Premiership season.

“I want to thank Steven and Brian for all their efforts and wish them both all the very best in the future.”

The chairman and non-executive directors have begun the recruitment process to appoint the next manager.

Chairman Jim McMahon offers the following update. 

Following the announcement of Alan’s departure as CEO last month, several clubs made contact with him about a potential new role.

Alan entered into discussions with a number of those, but ultimately decided to take up an offer from Aberdeen FC.

We all very much wish him well with that. However, in order to be fair to all parties, including Motherwell FC, and to stop any potential awkwardness or issues, it was agreed to expedite that exit process.

The board had already commissioned a recruitment agent to lead on the identification of a suitable replacement, and we intend to conclude that process as soon as possible.

In the meantime, Alan will continue to work as hard as he always does, alongside the experienced and talented senior management team across the various departments. My fellow Directors and I stand ready and will, if required, be on hand to assist in any aspect during this transition period.

It has been a tough time of late for the club, of that there is no doubt and I want to thank you all for your patience, understanding and backing.

We will get through this and back to better days, particularly if we all stick together.

Please give Steven and the players as much support as you normally do and let’s roar the team on to a strong finish to the 22/23 season.

Jim McMahon

We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of former goalkeeper Billy Thomson. 

Thomson made 59 appearances for Motherwell from 1991-1994.

Prior to joining Motherwell, Thomson was part of the fondly remembered Dundee United side who defeated Terry Venables’ Barcelona side home and away in the quarter finals of the 1986/87 UEFA Cup before they were defeated in the final by Gothenburg.

Popular goalkeeper Ally Maxwell would be leaving Motherwell in 1991, with the club searching for a replacement between the sticks.

Thomson signed from Dundee United for a fee of £50,000 as he battled it out with Sieb Dijkstra for the number one jersey at the club.

Capped seven times for his country, he would move onto pastures new with Rangers in 1994 becoming the back up keeper behind the late, great Andy Goram.

Finishing his playing days at Dundee, he would move into coaching becoming the goalkeeping coach at Rangers and Kilmarnock.

He joined Stranraer in the summer of 2021 as their goalkeeping coach, where he has been working with young Motherwell stopper Matty Connelly who is at loan with the League Two side.

The thoughts and condolences of everyone at Motherwell FC are with Billy’s family and close friends at this very sad time.