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Every footballer has a different story. Some join a club at a young age and work their way through the academy ranks before bursting into the first-team. Some get that bit of luck and get the chance to showcase their talents at a later age.

Zach Robinson fits into neither of those categories. Born and raised in London, the 22-year-old was kicking a football in the streets with his friends after long days at school. He would play for a couple of teams before his first major breakthrough arrived in his career.

He then played very few minutes at academy level as he was loaned out at the age of 17 to play first- team football. But all of this has led him to Motherwell and for that, he will always be grateful.

But going all the way back to the very start of his life, football was always playing a big role.

“I grew up in Lewisham,” Robinson stated.

“There were a lot of footballers around that area, I wasn’t too far away from Crystal Palace actually. Everyone in the area played football, that’s a London thing.

“I just played wherever and whenever I could. At home, in my park or on the street, my friends and I played all the time. I played for my local team and then when I was 13 or 14, I played for another team called Lambeth Tigers who were pushing me a bit more and trying to showcase me.”

That extra nudge and encouragement meant it wasn’t long before trials with some big clubs came next for the forward.

“It was a higher level and the exposure meant more interest,” Robinson added.

“It was at that point when I came up against Academy players and teams that I realised I could compete with them. I was always a striker; scoring is the best thing about the sport.

“I’d had trials with Fulham and Wolves but they didn’t quite go my way, so you do get knocked down a bit.

“Wimbledon gave me a trial and they were happy with me. I was over the moon as it kind of felt like I got my foot in the door. All I’d ever wanted to be was a footballer, so it was cool to be in that environment for the first time.

“It had been tough to deal with the rejection of the trials, but when you’re young, you can hear the word no a lot but there will still be other opportunities. I wasn’t down about it too much and now I was moving forward.”

At the age of 15, Robinson had made a huge step towards achieving his goals. He began to play for the Wimbledon Under 16 side and his eyes were opened to what life can be like for a professional footballer.

“It was an awakening to be in a professional environment,” Robinson explained.

“The whole thing was new to me. I was joining a group of guys who had been there for a few years. Some of them will be my friends for life.

“Jack Currie has just joined Oxford United.

“Ayoub Assal is playing in Qatar now. There’s a good few still at Wimbledon. They’re all great lads.

“Before I went there, I had been playing football every day. Sometimes, I was playing for one or two teams at the same time. So I was going to school then going straight to training Monday to Friday. Then, on Saturday and Sunday I’d be playing games.

“I had always been focused on football but this chance showed me the finer details involved in football. It showed me what it would take if I was going to make the step up again.”

It’s at this stage where Robinson’s career becomes very unique. Now, at the age of 17, he went on loan to Basingstoke. A first taste of first-team football at a young age. This was the first of seven loan moves to six different teams in his career.

“I was going into my second year as a scholar and I was doing well at Under 18s level,” he added.

“My coach Mark Robinson was pleased with my progress. He suggested I go out on loan to get exposure to men’s football. It wasn’t the best level but it was exciting for me to see what the difference was like. I didn’t think about anything negative.

“The difference was huge, even though it wasn’t a high level. You’re playing for points and after a couple of weeks, the manager got sacked. That was an experience you’re not going to get at academy level.”

Robinson was beginning to mature and with every loan move he made, he’d learn something about himself but more importantly, it was heightening his chances of breaking into the first- team at his parent club.

“At Leatherhead, it took me a couple of games to settle in,” he stated.

“It was a step up from my previous move and I had to get used to another dressing room. When I came back to Wimbledon, I was in and around the bench and made my debut.

“That was a great feeling. I was playing well and scoring goals when I went on loan. I felt on top of the world.

“I was 18 when I made my debut for Wimbledon. I didn’t play a lot of academy football because of the loan moves. There’s a whole load of different reasons why a player might be going out on loan. As the player, you can only go and attack the opportunity that’s in front of you. It’s exposure and a chance to play games, you’ll improve as a result.”

That improvement was clear to see. Robinson scored his first Wimbledon goal against Brighton’s Under 23s in the EFL Cup but he wasn’t resting there.

“I held myself to a high standard,” he said.

“Scoring that goal was great but it was a weird feeling because of the opponent. My first league goal against Charlton was different. All I wanted to be was a footballer and as a striker, you just want to score. Every day I tell myself I’m lucky and privileged.

My family is proud of me and supports me. That’s what it’s all about.”

In 2022, it was time for another step up in class. This time, the loan move wasn’t a local one and it would be a real test for Robinson. He was Dundee bound.

“It was the biggest change of my life at that point,” Robinson stated.

“Moving away from home, a nine hour drive, a league I hadn’t been exposed to, it was a lot. It took me a couple of months to settle but it was a good group of players and we had a good season.

“I had a recall clause in January and I went back down south. I played five minutes and then ended up re-joining Dundee on Deadline Day.

“I’d had a good first-half of the season and wanted to finish what I started. It was a place where I was doing well.”

Helping his side win the league and earn promotion back to the top-flight, Robinson finished that campaign with 12 goals in 29 league games. As Dundee began recruiting for the next season, they turned to Robinson once again.

“I became known as the boomerang,” he laughed.

“I went back up again and this time it was a step up to the Premiership. It was a good opportunity for me but I was injured a bit. In and out the team a bit. I’m still grateful for the opportunity.”

In the summer of 2024, Wimbledon and Robinson parted ways as he plotted his next move. But with very little academy football, he had gained massive amounts of experience with first-team players.

At the age of 22, Robinson has played in the top two leagues in Scotland. Excluding the Premier League and Championship in England, he had featured in the top eight tiers of the English pyramid.

That meant he wasn’t scared of change and left his options open in the summer.

“For me it wasn’t about where I was going to play,” the striker added.

“It was more if I was going to play and where I would enjoy it. Motherwell was by far the best fit for me.

“I didn’t have a great season last year and I want to do better this time around. It’s the same league and I’m excited at the prospect.

“It’s the first move away from Wimbledon so it’s different from a loan because the cushion isn’t there now.

“I’ve had the best pre- season in my career in terms of fitness and being a part of every session. My body is feeling great.

“I think as a team, we’re just needing that game where we click and score a few goals. We are solid and I have no doubt we’ll kick on. The past success here with strikers is something I looked at.

“The detail the manager and staff go into is something I’m all about. I’ll spend as much time as I need to with them, looking at clips, trying to improve. It’s a great place to be.”

Ewan Wilson has earned his first call up to the Scotland Under 21 squad. 

Having broken into the first-team setup this season, Wilson quickly cemented his place in the starting 11 with his impressive displays.

Yet to miss a minute of league action, and only missing six minutes in the Premier Sports Cup, Wilson has been involved in the build up of goals for his team, but has also been dependable in the backline.

The 19-year-old now earns his first international call up at any level, and will join the Under 21 squad, and Lennon Miller, immediately ahead of their first match on Friday 6 September against Spain.

• Scotland v Spain 
• Friday 6 September
• 7pm Kick Off 
• Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh

• Malta v Scotland 
• Tuesday 10 September 
• 5:30pm Kick Off
• National Stadium (Ta’qali), Ta’qali, Malta

It’s time to vote for your G4 Claims player of the month for August. 

Lennon Miller, Dan Casey, Ewan Wilson and Stephen O’Donnell are all up for nomination.

To vote, head over to the Motherwell Facebook page.

Games in August

• Motherwell 0-0 Ross County
• Rangers 2-1 Motherwell
• Motherwell 1-0 Kilmarnock
• Motherwell 3-1 Hearts
• St Johnstone 1-2 Motherwell

With the first international break of the season looming, Motherwell wanted to round up the first batch of games on a high with a win in Perth over St Johnstone. 

They made a perfect start in do so when Dan Casey’s header found the back of the net early on in the first-half. Andy Halliday thought he doubled his side’s lead but Tawanda Maswanhise was in an offside position in the build up.

With the visitors well on top, St Johnstone found a leveller in one of their rare attacks forward.

With it all to do again, Casey, Liam Gordon, Moses Ebiye and Jack Vale all seen their efforts saved by the St Johnstone keeper, with Tony Watt’s goal also ruled out due to a foul on the man between the sticks.

Just as it was looking like one of those days for Motherwell, a perfect Lennon Miller delivery found Casey, who headed goal wards before Ebiye threw his head at the ball to knock the ball home and send the travelling support into rapture.

St Johnstone would be reduced to ten men before the final whistle to round off a fantastic result, as manager Stuart Kettlewell and assistant manager Stephen Frail celebrated signing new contracts with the club in the most perfect way possible.

A dramatic finale at McDiarmid Park, as super sub Moses Ebiye fired home the final kick of the game to rescue the three points in an exhilarating ninety minutes under the Perthshire sunshine.

Irishman Dan Casey bulleted home the opener amid the early exchanges, powering home Andy Halliday’s whipped delivery across the 18-yard-box. Motherwell continued to control proceedings and toiled in search of a crucial second, that would’ve fairly reflected their assured first-half display, however the hosts soon punished Motherwell’s attacking woes by pulling themselves level in the latter stages of the second-half.

Motherwell’s first-half dominance looked a distant memory, as Benjamin Kimpioka’s unanticipated equaliser rejuvenated a strained St. Johnstone side, but Ebiye’s late heroics proved to be the difference, with the Nigerian striker capitalising on the final kick of the game, diverting Casey’s direct headed effort beyond the reach of Ross Sinclair much to the jubilation of the emphatic travelling support.

Manager, Stuart kettlewell named an unchanged side from last weekend’s comfortable victory over Hearts at Fir park. Deadline day addition Jack Vale was named amongst the substitutes, as fellow late arrival Jair Tavares watched on from the sidelines.

Motherwell almost certainly looked to have earned an early penalty kick after Paul McGinn was impeded deep into the St. Johnstone penalty area, but despite a four-minute VAR check, referee Iain Snedden ruled in favour of a St. Johnstone goal-kick.

The breakthrough emerged soon after with defender Dan Casey opening his account for the 2024/25 Premiership campaign, powering home Andy Halliday’s accurate delivery across the face of goal.

The visitors almost doubled their advantage soon after, with Maswanhise turning provider, teeing up Halliday at the edge of the box. The midfielder lent back before curling a magnificent finish into the top-left corner, but an offside in the build-up prematurely ended Halliday’s celebrations.

Motherwell were firmly in the ascendency and deserving of amassing more of an advantage, as the first-half drew to a close.

The hosts took advantage, with Kimpioka coasting across the left-flank before dispatching a composed finish into the bottom-right corner. The stands of McDiarmid Park firmly rose to the occasion, lifting an abject St. Johnstone side into life.

Motherwell thwarted numerous attempts on goal during a frantic period of the game, but Stuart Kettlewell’s side soon composed themselves, implementing the game-plan and pinning the Saints backline into their own penalty area.

Following two identical miraculous saves to deny Casey from netting a brace, Casey soon headed Lennon Miller’s dangerous delivery across the face of goal, and super sub Moses Ebiye converted from a yard out; sending the visiting support into raptures.

Stuart Kettlewell gives his thoughts on a dramatic late win in Perth.

Manager Stuart Kettlewell and Assistant Manager Stephen Frail have signed new contracts at the club. 

The Motherwell manager and Assistant have agreed to new rolling contracts.

“It’s been a huge honour to lead this team since February 2023,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“Remaining at the club was always something I wanted. I’m proud of what we have achieved as a team so far.

“When I first joined, the outlook was bleak, and we needed to turn the form around quickly. Fast forward 18 months, and we have gone on a scintillating run at the end of the 22/23 season, just missed out on top-six last season, increased the revenue from player sales, and progressed to the quarter-final of the Premier Sports Cup.

“The development of players has been something I’m particularly proud of.

“But what made this decision so easy was the unwavering support I’ve received from staff, the executive board and most importantly, the supporters.

“Since my first day at the club, the backing has been immense. We’ve had lots of good moments that we have celebrated together.

“I said right at the very start of my tenure that there was lots we could achieve here. That included producing a team that the supporters could buy into.

“The work towards that doesn’t stop here; if anything, it increases. I will continue to do as best I can, work as hard as I can, to reach our goals and aspirations.”

Stuart Kettlewell named Stephen Frail as his assistant back in March 2023, having had experience at both international level with Northern Ireland and at club level.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at this fantastic club so far,” assistant manager Stephen Frail added.

“I love working with the players, the staff and the manager. I didn’t know the manager prior to coming here, and it’s been rewarding to work with him.

“I’m privileged to have been offered these new terms and hopefully we can have a very successful season.”

Stuart Kettlewell was named Motherwell boss in February 2023, having won his two games in interim charge.

He made the best start of any Motherwell manager since Roger Hynd in 1977, winning a manager of the month award in the process.

With the side joint bottom of the league at the start of February, Kettlewell led the team on an incredible few months of results, which included wins against Hibernian, Hearts, Livingston, Dundee United, St Johnstone and St Mirren. Motherwell also earned a point against Celtic at Parkhead. That run of form saw the Steelmen finish on 50 points, with Kettlewell at the helm for 30 of them.

That impressive run of form continued into the 23/24 season. Going into the September international break last year, Motherwell were undefeated on the road under Stuart Kettlewell, and they had extended their top-flight undefeated streak to 10 games, their longest run since 2010.

A run of winless games followed next. The team picked up six draws in 15 games, but a win over Livingston in December 2023 brought the Steelmen back to life.

Five wins and six draws from 15 games in all competitions prior to the split, which included our first win at Ibrox since 1997, saw Stuart Kettlewell’s side narrowly miss out on top-six on match day 32.

Two wins and a draw from the final matches saw Motherwell finish well above any of the relegation spots to secure our 40th consecutive season in the top flight.

Now, into his second full season at the club, Kettlewell has steered the team to the quarter-final of the Premier Sports Cup and to our first win of the league season against Hearts.

Motherwell’s 17th signing of the summer window is Jair Tavares, who joins on loan from Hibernian until the end of the season. 

The 23-year-old joined Hibernian in June 2022, having came through the youth system at Benfica.

“Signing Jair is an excellent piece of business,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“We’ve got a player who has experience in this league, came through at a top academy at Benfica and will now get the opportunity of regular minutes here at Motherwell.

“He’s a winger who is direct, exciting and will add a lot to our team.”

A regular for the B side in Portugal, the pacy winger made the switch to Scotland for an undisclosed fee and has made 41 appearances for the Edinburgh side.

He has also continued to progress through his nation’s youth ranks being capped at U17, U18, and U19 level.

Tavares has featured three times for the Hibees this season, with all appearances coming in the group-stages of the Premier Sports Cup.

Welsh forward Jack Vale has re-joined the club for a second spell after agreeing a season-long loan deal from EFL Championship side Blackburn Rovers, subject to international clearance.

A product of the Blackburn Academy, the Welsh 23-year-old frontman joined Motherwell on deadline day in January, as the Steelmen sought to bolster their attacking options throughout the latter stages of the 2023/24 league campaign.

Vale instantly became a favourite amongst the Fir park faithful, netting twice over thirteen appearances whilst becoming a key component in a prolific partnership with striker Theo Bair.

“It’s a nice feeling to be back at Fir Park,” Vale explained.

“The time I spent here last season was really good, because I learnt so much in a short space of time.

“That was only from January onwards so I’m hoping with this move being for the season, I can accomplish more. There’s new faces but I know everyone around the place and some of the players from last time. It should be an easy transition and hopefully I can hit the ground running.

“I’ve been following all the results and everything about the club over the summer. It’s good to be back.”

Vale has made 27-senior appearances for Blackburn Rovers, with his debut coming in 2020, scoring two goals. Since leaving Fir Park following the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, Vale has continued to train with the first-team squad, making two appearances in the Carabao cup against Stockport County and Blackpool.

“Getting Jack back for another season is great,” Stuart Kettlewell reiterated.

“Everyone witnessed the impact he made last season. He has all the qualities to score goals at this level. We have been trying to get him back since the end of his previous loan deal, but Blackburn wanted to see his over the summer which is understandable.

“He’s in the building, he’s match fit and he’s ready to go.”

18-year-old Lennon Miller remains fully focused on his football on a Saturday, as he shuts out all the outside speculation about his future.

Miller discusses the team’s performance on Sunday against Hearts and how everyone is looking to follow that result up against St Johnstone this weekend.