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Young defender Nicky Devlin will join Second Division side Stenhousemuir on loan until the end of the current season.

The former Dumbarton full-back, who missed several months of the season with a knee injury, returned to the U19s fold at the beginning of 2012 and has turned in some excellent displays.

However, as tomorrow’s match with Rangers U19s at Murray Park is the last in the current season, Devlin will join fellow loanee Gary Smith at Ochilview to gain much-needed competitive football.

As well as the aforementioned Smith, Motherwell also have Jamie Pollock out on loan to Clyde until April 20th and Ross McKinnon at Alloa Athletic until the end of the season.

Motherwell FC are delighted to announce that the club’s matchday programme has landed the  ‘Most Improved’ award in the Scottish Football Programme of the Year awards.

With a new editorial team and a new producer in Curtis Sport, the 64-page magazine has been a hit with fans this season and this award recognises the excellent work by all involved.

The Scottish Programme of the Year Awards are in their 39th season and it is the 31st consecutive season they have been sponsored by the Programme Monthly and Football Collectable magazine.

Andy Ross, editor of the Motherwell Matchday Programme said: “We are all delighted to have won the title of ‘most improved programme.’

“A number of people have put a fantastic amount of work into the programme – it’s been a real team effort.

[pullquote]We are continually looking at ways we can improve the programme and hope by engaging with the Motherwell support we can build on this achievement.[/pullquote]

“This is the first season in which we have teamed up with Curtis Sport and I think this award demonstrates how much progress we have made  in a short space of time.

“Our Senior Designer Karl Wheeler has worked tirelessly with myself and the club’s Press and Media Manager Alan Burrows in helping to provide a product that the Motherwell supporters will want to pick-up at every home game.

“We have also introduced an extensive section on our opposition for each of our matches and hopefully visiting fans to Fir Park have also enjoyed reading the programme.

“We are continually looking at ways we can improve the programme and hope by engaging with the Motherwell support we can build on this achievement.”

The Scottish Premier League (SPL), Association of European Football Leagues (EPFL), European Commission’s humanitarian aid department (ECHO) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have joined forces to organise the European Match Day Against Hunger.

This weekend (March 31 – April 01) over 300 professional football clubs in 20 leagues across 16 countries in Europe will dedicate their matches to the fight against hunger in the Sahel.

The aim of this year’s campaign is to highlight the plight of the people in the Sahel region of Africa, where over 11 million people face acute hunger due to drought, poor harvests and rising food prices.

This is a special weekend on the football calendar, now a permanent fixture. This is the third Match Day Against Hunger. Each year of the campaign has built on the previous year’s success. From Moscow to Lisbon to Vienna to Motherwell, clubs and leagues from all over Europe are uniting against hunger.

Neil Doncaster, Chief Executive of the SPL, said: “Our clubs play an important role in helping the communities that surround them. However, given that our clubs have extensive fan base worldwide, the Match Day Against Hunger provides an excellent means through which we can raise awareness of the millions in the Sahel that are at risk from becoming victims of famine”.

For further information on the campaign, click here: http://www.endinghunger.org/en/actagitate/match_day_against_hunger_2012.html

Over 150 kids enjoyed a great night at Fir Park as the club opened its doors for the second ‘Well Society Sign Up night.

Below are a selection of photos of the kids having a blast on the pitch. The remainder will be uploaded to our Facebook page.

[svgallery name=”wellsocietysignupnight2″]

The Cash Converters “Convert for Cash” challenge returns this Saturday when Rangers visit Fir Park and you can win £100.

It’s on STEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELMEN!!

The Cash Converters “Convert for Cash” challenge is here again. The event that pits home fan against away fan, confronted by the site of our very own gaffa Stuart McCall, is back again versus Rangers this Saturday.

Faced by a life-sized statue of Stuart McCall, fans must run round him 3 times, before composing themselves to score past our mascot, Claret, EITHER from the edge of the box (the £100 ball) or the penalty spot (the £50 ball).

Enter at the Cash Converters SPL Facebook page by CLICKING HERE.

In addition, Cash Converters will also be donating £150 per challenge to their official charity for the 2011/2012 season, Dreams Come True.

For your chance to win £100 in the “Convert for Cash” challenge against Rangers, enter your details at the Cash Converters SPL Facebook page now: CLICK HERE.

The Facebook page will also give you the chance to win a whole host of other prizes, including tickets and exclusive, money-can’t-buy experiences. Simply “Like” the page, and get entering.

The draw will close at Noon on Friday 30th March

*Please note: You must be aged over 18 to take part, and proof of age will be required on the day. You must also already possess a match ticket.

Fir Park full-back Stevie Hammell hopes Motherwell can finally end a ten-year winless run against Rangers and draw level on points with the Ibrox side.

The Steelmen haven’t taken three points off Rangers since a solitary James McFadden goal was enough for a 1-0 victory back in Boxing Day 2002.

36 games have passed since then, Rangers have won 28 of them but Hammell, a sole survivor of that victory a decade ago, is determined to finally reverse that stat and insists there is no mental barrier preventing them from delivering the right result.

“I think the belief in the squad is there, we believe we are good enough,” he said.

“I don’t think we have taken anything off either side of the Old Firm this season and the record against Rangers in the last ten years, I’m told, is really poor.

“But if we want to be considered one of the best teams in the league, it’s about time that we changed it.

“It’s a test of character for the boys. We find ourselves in a position that we’re not used to in terms of league position and challenging a team for second.

“So I think the character in the dressing room is there. It’s up to us to show other people what we know and believe in the dressing room – that we can beat Rangers.

“It’s going to be very difficult and we know they are getting stronger but the belief is definitely there.”

[pullquote]I think the belief in the squad is there, we believe we are good enough.[/pullquote]

The 30-year old former Scotland International, who has played 420 times in Claret and Amber, is out of contract at the end of the current campaign.

However, the former Southend man has indicated a strong desire to remain at the club and insists the prospect that third place in the SPL could possible carry a Champions League slot is an additional benefit.

He added: “There have been talks between the club and my agents, just in the early stages just now. A few of the boys are in the same position.

“If we can keep most of the squad together, I think we can have another strong season next year.

“I would be keen to stay anyway but what an incentive [Champions League football] would be to come back next year.

“To be honest, we haven’t really spoken about it as a goal – but it is there for everybody to see.

“I don’t know if it’s cut and dried with Rangers yet if they’re going to be in Europe. But, if third place gets you into the Champions League, it’s a great incentive. You’re not going to get any better than that although we’ve still got a lot of hard work to do with teams chasing behind us.

“Ever since I’ve been playing, it’s not a position we have been in so we need to strive to get over the line and make sure we finish at least third,” added Hammell who spoke as he promoted ESPN’s coverage of Saturday’s game

Steven Saunders today spoke of his delight at making his return to action after seven months on the sidelines.

The Scotland International ruptured his Achilles in early August and has, following an operation, worked with club physio John Porteous on his rehabilitation ever since.

After joining in with training a few weeks ago, he finally stepped back onto the pitch this afternoon in a 2-2 draw with Livingston at Dalziel Park.

“It’s good to be back playing; I have been training for three weeks but what I really need is bounce games,” he told MFC TV.

“There was a bit of nerves, that’s understandable for anyone out for seven months with a serious injury, but JP reassured me and that’s good enough for me.

“It certainly was some day to come back. Everyone wants to play in the sun, the old summer football argument rumbles on, but it was good for me; it made me sweat.”

-WATCH THE INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

The ‘Well Society is close to reaching the initial £250,000 target and to help us ‘Get over the line’ we’re having another sign-up night tonight.

Like last time, the players and management will be there. It’ll be another informal drop in, complete with finger buffet and a fully stocked pay bar, which will allow you to ask any questions you may have regarding the Society to the people that matter – the board.

But this time, the Junior Steel members have a chance to actually get on the park with the lads, have a kick around and experience the thrill of the hallowed turf.

Remember though – we’ve got a big match against Rangers on the Saturday after so no studs – just trainers please! Tonight, 6.30pm to 8.30pm!

So join us; this is the perfect time for you to join our revolution – a once in a lifetime chance for the fans to not only have an influence in the club, but eventually run it.

For further information on the Well Society, including membership forms, CLICK HERE or phone Alison Wallace on 01698 333333.

Tickets for both home and away fans are available for this Saturday’s match with Rangers from the Fir Park Ticket Office.

The match will kick-off at 12 noon with prices as follows:

• Concessions are listed as Over 60s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.
• Juveniles are listed as Under 16s.
• Family tickets consist of 1x Adult and 1x Juvenile.
• The cheaper priced ticket is for the East Stand only.
• If you are new to Fir Park, check our handy ‘New Fans’ section that will detail everything you need to know about matchdays.
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 01555 870122 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Referee for this Saturday’s ESPN live Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Rangers at Fir Park will be Craig Thomson.

39-year old Thomson will be handling his fourth Motherwell game of the current season. The previous three were also live on television as Rangers ran out 3-0 winners back in mid-August, a 0-0 draw with Kilmarnock back in October and the controversial defeat by Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup three weeks ago.

Craig will be a familiar face to Fir Park fans having been a top-flight official for a decade and taking charge of three league matches last season.

Thomson was the man in the middle for the SPL opener against Hibs when goals from John Sutton and Jamie Murphy wasn’t enough for the victory as Hibs ran out 3-2 winners thanks to goals from Antony Stokes, Paul Hanlon and Liam Miller.

His next appointment was the 1-0 home defeat by Hamilton Accies in the Lanarkshire derby. Then Accies striker Nigel Hasselbaink separated the sides with a 15th minute curler from the edge of the box.

He also took charge of the 0-0 draw with Hearts last April when an unfamiliar ‘Well side did well to take a point at Tynecastle.

His record in charge of the Steelmen isn’t great with just nine wins from 33 matches. There have been sixteen defeats and eight draws too.

Not included in that list was the 2007/08 Scottish Cup fourth round replay win against Hearts at Fir Park, when he replaced the injured Stuart Dougal midway through the second-half.

In those games, Motherwell have scored 40 and conceded 45. 116 players have gone into the book, 57 were wearing claret and amber, while five players, including Stephen Craigan and Keith Lasley, have been dismissed. The skipper saw red in the 2-0 Scottish Cup defeat to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park six years ago and Lasley was ordered off the last time the whistler was at Fir Park.

Thomson will be ably assisted by Derek Rose and Graham Chambers with Brian Winter on fourth official duties. Referee Observer is Gerry Evans and SPL Delegate is Alan Dick.