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With no reserve football on offer in the 2020/21 season, new ways have had to be found to ensure the next crop of talented Motherwell youngsters can progress.

While David Turnbull, James Scott, Jake Hastie, Barry Maguire and countless others have benefitted from having the opportunity to play minutes, the current batch faced sitting in the stands waiting for first team opportunities.

The start of the lower league season in Scotland has opened the door to a number going out on loan, combining playing meaningful football with still training with the team at Dalziel Park.

Harry Robinson, Ross MacIver, PJ Morrison, Jamie Semple and Sam Muir have all taken the step so far, with others likely to follow at the right moment.

“The players could stay here and potentially be the 21st man,” Diarmuid O’Carroll, who is responsible for overseeing their development away from the club, explained.

“But they get much more from being out in real football. Playing for points every week, competing and getting used to the rigours of first team football day-to-day.

“Whether they come back in January or the summer, hopefully they will be ready to go straight in and be a fully-fledged first team player.”

Queen of the South, Greenock Morton, Falkirk, Cove Rangers and Gretna are the respective clubs where our young talent are currently earning their stripes.

Picking the right destination for each player has also been part of the design of the new way of doing things.

“We’ve picked the clubs and the coaches specifically so that we can work with them, so we can put demands on their training structure,” O’Carroll expanded.

“We also then analyse the player in games so they can work on it when they are back in the building during the week.

“Generally most weeks they will be with us one to two days. They are still very much in the circle.

“It’s not like they are out of sight, out of mind. These are still very much first team squad members for us.”

Getting the chance to play competitive football in pressured environments, as opposed to sitting in the stand on a Saturday, is crucial both for the club and the development of the players.

“It’s an experience more than anything else,” O’Carroll said.

“Showing they are capable physically, technically and tactically to go and be a big boy. Be a man in a man’s environment and then come back.

“We’ve seen with Jamie Semple already, coming back in after a few weeks. You can see he’s already puffed the shoulders out and developed over the course of a month.

“Hopefully they all develop, enjoy it, field the challenge and come back ready to go.”

The impact of kindness on our brain is the key message at an upcoming e-clinic led by Kerry Mitchell, wellbeing manager and mental health trainer with our main partners Paycare.

It is part of a series of online sessions our sponsor are running for free. The clinic starts at 10am on Tuesday, 20 October.

The hour-long e-clinic will include six science-backed ways that being kind is good for you and others, how the kindness actually impacts the brain, and referral pathways for talking therapies.

Attendees will also look at the factors which make people feel uncomfortable starting a conversation about mental health, and some of the current research associated with World Mental Health Day, which takes place across the globe in October

To secure your free place at the next session, or for more information about Paycare Wellbeing’s Mental Health Training, email wellbeing@paycare.org.

Kerry, Paycare’s Mental Health First Aid qualified trainer, said: “The e-clinic is part of a series being held once a month. During October we wanted to support organisations to be able to respond with kindness, and the real-life benefits associated with the way we treat others.

“This year has been a tough one, particularly for people living with mental illness and their carers. Research suggests that nearly 80% of people living with mental illness say that Covid-19 and associated lockdown has made their mental health worse.

“After World Mental Health Day, we will tie in the theme of how kindness can act as a chemical and can further support others who are dealing with mental health.”

In addition to the webinars, Paycare Wellbeing is also extending its online offering to complement its pre-pandemic face-to-face Mental Health First Aid training options, incorporating the new accredited online version of the full Mental Health First Aider course.

For more information about Paycare Wellbeing’s E-Clinics, head to their latest blog.

Go behind the scenes on our trips to Northern Ireland and Israel in episode 12 of Inside Motherwell.

We’ve some great prizes to win thanks to our partner Nutrition X.

Nutrition X offer a range of products and supplements scientifically formulated by a team of world-renowned sports nutritionists, designed to support athletic performance from every angle.

The competition bundle is worth £65.96 and includes:

• Repair Shots – Raspberry
• Hydra+ – Lemon
• Hydra+ – Blackcurrant
• Xplode Shots – Orange

Dedicated to quality, each of their products are batch-tested and Informed Sport certified, giving athletes the reassurance they need that every product adheres to substances listed on the WADA banned substance list.

As a result, they have fast become the number one choice for elite athletes and professional sports teams around the world, and are proud to fuel top-level clubs across multiple disciplines.

‘We are so proud to be working alongside Motherwell Football Club for the 2020/21 season,” said Nutrition X’s managing director James Markey.

“It’s fantastic to be supporting their head of sports science Andy Boles and the players with their nutritional requirements throughout the busy year ahead for the club.”

To enter, just tweet to @nutrition_x with the answer to the following question. Don’t forget to follow their account too.

Question: What’s the name of Nutrition X’s award-winning collagen-based recovery shot? (pssst…you can head to their website to find out at nutritionx.co.uk)

Our main sponsor Paycare have launched their Bundle Wellbeing package, which aims to help employers engage their teams and to keep them mentally, physically and financially healthy.

For £2 per employee per month, it includes access to a support helpline, round-the-clock GP appointments, and an extensive discount scheme. It’s designed to give employees working for businesses who sign up the opportunity to access a holistic wellbeing service.

Bundle includes three elements: the first is a round-the-clock telephone support with MyHelpline, which can be used to chat confidentially about a wide range of life events from stress management, debt or legal support and relationship breakdowns to signposting towards caring resources for elderly relatives.

Members will also gain access to Paycare’s well-loved 24/7 online and telephone GP consultation service to help them receive quicker access to healthcare support. MyPocketGP aims to take the pressure off the NHS and ensure those using it can get a telephone call, video consultation or message a doctor at a time convenient to them – without having to physically visit their medical practice.

The MyPocketGP app can be accessed worldwide, with all of the service’s doctors being experienced NHS GPs who can help any time, day or night. Either with a phone call or with the booking of a video consultation, follow up actions on the doctor’s advice can include a private prescription service with medication delivered to the patient’s door or even an open private specialist referral for further investigation of more complex conditions.

The third part of Bundle is access to Paycare Perks – a Paycare exclusive online discount platform which offers a variety of everyday savings on health and fitness, shopping, leisure and entertainment products and services.

“At Paycare we have a long and proud history of helping some of the region’s biggest and smallest employers to find the right way to support their teams,” Anthony Burns, Paycare’s commercial director, said.

“Many companies implement plans to support their employees’ health through our range of Health Cash Plans, but this isn’t the only way that we can help.

“Bundle, available for any business with two or more employees, is an affordable choice for employers who want to offer their teams some recognition for hard work, support for their mental, physical and financial health and as a reward that also proves great for business.

“For us, it’s all about looking at the entire health and wellbeing of our members — not just their physical health but their mental, emotional and financial wellbeing too. That’s why our Bundle has been designed to help employees access support for all these integral parts of their overall health and happiness and offer key benefits that find a logical place within almost any wellbeing strategy.

“Bundle mirrors the fantastic wellbeing services integral to many of Paycare’s Health Cash Plans, for a fraction of the cost at just £2 per employee. This was an idea conceived and trialled with over 300 members before we’d even heard the words Covid-19.

“We know that support like the virtual GP consultations and telephone counselling have become ever more essential during this health crisis, and with ongoing changes to working patterns, priorities and demands for lots of businesses, we know health and wellbeing support will continue to be on the agenda for all.

“Bundle is a great low-cost, high-value employee benefit, which supports wellbeing strategy, shows your team that you care while supporting their holistic health needs.”

To register for Bundle, visit www.paycare.org/bundle or to ask any questions, please email anthonyburns@paycare.org.

Want to become part of how our stadium looks for the return of supporters?

We’re commissioning a fan mural for the entrance walkway inside our John Hunter Stand.

All we asking in return for your picture being on the wall is that you make a donation to SAMH through our specially-created JustGiving page. Please only donate whatever you can afford.

Once you’ve received a receipt of your donation by email, forward it on to us at tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk, attaching to the email your picture that you’d like to appear on the mural.

It can be a picture of just you, or you and your family or friends. Whatever you choose.

The club would like to thank signage partners Avia Signs for their help with this project, ensuring every penny donated will go straight to the charity.

Planning your financial future can be daunting.

Add to that, the pressures of forging your own path in life, and simply knowing where to start can be enough to force everything to the back of your mind.

If you feel like it’s time to start taking control of your future, financial and otherwise, you can join our partners SRB Wealth Management online for a special webinar on Tuesday 6 October at 1pm.

Get your tickets here.

Their specially invited guests will share their insight and expertise on three key areas.

• Planning
• Investing
• Your future

Whether you’re looking to take that first step onto the property ladder, aiming for a particular retirement goal, or simply want to understand what you need to consider now to make moves toward a more secure financial future, SRB financial adviser Emily Campbell will share how proper planning can help you realize those financial goals. Among the online tools Campbell recommends are fast withdrawal casinos, which offer quick access to funds and can influence cash flow management strategies. These platforms provide insights into the latest financial trends, helping users make informed decisions to build a stable future.

Fund manager at Rowan Dartington, David Robertson, will offer his insight into investing practices that align your values with your financial objectives, putting your wealth to work for the issues you believe in with Responsible Investing.

Coach Brian Canavan will share some simple but very effective ideas and tools that you can use to ensure that you live your life your way, and to your fullest potential. ‘Life By Design’ is a framework that Brian has developed to help people to live their best life, their way.

You’ll understand the building blocks of how to shape your own future using your own unique model. Learn simple techniques to help prioritise your personal values and how knowing these makes major decisions easier and mitigates the stress in our lives.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place or Rowan Dartington may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested.

SRB Wealth Management Ltd is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products.

We are saddened to hear of the death of Tam Forsyth.

The former ‘Well man passed away on Friday at the age of 71.

Tam was brought to the club by Bobby Howitt in 1967 from Stonehouse Violet and at that stage of his career played as a wing-half or inside-forward.

The boyhood Motherwell fan made his debut in October 1967 in a 3-1 win over Stirling Albion and would make 150 league appearances for the club, before joining Rangers in October 1972.

By the time of his transfer to Ibrox, Forsyth had already made his international debut in a European Championship qualifier away to Denmark in 1971 and would go on to amass 22 caps for Scotland.

‘Jaws’, as he would affectionately be known, became recognised as uncompromising defender at Ibrox and, when he bid farewell to Rangers in 1982, he had played more than 200 league games, securing silverware in treble-winning sides.

Latterly the assistant to Tommy McLean at Fir Park, he was the number two during a prolfiic 10-year spell.

With the club winning the First Division title in 1984/85, he would also be in the dugout for the 1991 Scottish Cup success and the Steelmen’s first foray into European competition.

A third-placed finish in 1993/94 in the Premier Division also came during his spell, a year Motherwell came within just four points of winning the league title.

Our thoughts are with his family at this time.

Paycare are the new front of shirt sponsors of Motherwell Football Club.

A leading not-for-profit organisation which provides cashback on everyday healthcare costs, as well as wider mental, financial and physical support, Paycare move from our back of shirt partners to become the main name on the front of our first team jerseys.

“Paycare are absolutely delighted to continue our support of this amazing community club,” Kevin Rogers, CEO of Paycare, said.

“As a not-for-profit organisation, Paycare’s mission is to do whatever we can to improve the lives of people in our communities and there is no better partnership for us than with a club like Motherwell, that is truly at the heart of its community.

“We are excited to continue our work with the club, which started two years ago, to improve the health and wellbeing of its supporters and the wider community of North Lanarkshire.”

Paycare have partnered with our club since 2018. Having initially been our shorts partners, they moved onto the back of our jersey for the 2019/20 season.

“We’re delighted to be expanding our partnership with Paycare to have them become our front of shirt sponsor for the next three seasons,” Motherwell chairman Jim McMahon added.

“They share our ambitions and values, and we’ve already enjoyed a lot of success together since our partnership began in 2018.

“We would like to thank them very much for their continued support and commitment to the club.”

Supporters who wish to add Paycare’s logo to their shirts can do so at our club shop from Friday, 21 August.

Priced at £5, all money after costs from every sale will be donated to the mental health charity SAMH.

“We are very grateful to Paycare and Motherwell FC for supporting Scotland’s mental health through SAMH,” a spokesperson for the charity said.

“In these challenging times, it’s never been more important for us all to not only look after our own mental health and wellbeing, but the wellbeing of our family and friends.

“We’re sending a heartfelt thanks from all of us at SAMH.”

The ticket office at Fir Park is now reopen from 10am to 2pm, Monday to Friday.

In line with government guidelines, there will be enhanced measures in place to keep our supporters and staff safe.

Only one person or one household will be allowed access at any time.

Supporters will be requested to queue outside at a two-metre distance and a hand sanitising station will be available as you enter.

Furthermore, for the safety of our staff and yourself, the wearing of face masks is mandatory.