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Motherwell Football Club today released the following update to supporters regarding the ongoing re-construction debate.

Speaking collectively, the Board at Motherwell FC said, “We want to take the opportunity to update Motherwell fans on the issue of league re-construction, following Monday’s meeting at the SPL.

[onlymembers]“Firstly, we must emphasise that, despite what is being reported in the media, Motherwell Football Club has neither agreed to nor voted for any restructure proposal. Our position has been to participate fully in the debate and listen to the various arguments being put forward. We have made it clear that we are strongly in favour of change which makes for all of Scottish football.

“We are acutely aware of the strong media and fan support for a top league of 14. This has been discounted by a number of clubs due to lack of remaining funding for a second league and potential for a number of meaningless games following a split after 26 games. We do agree that proper funding for a second league is key to moving the game forward.

“We are therefore potentially faced with a stark choice – vote for the 10 and 12 league structure or vote to stay as we are. Our position has been consistent throughout the many months of discussions – we would prefer a larger top league but are willing to discuss and consider alternative structures favoured by other clubs. 

“Turning to the specific proposal being discussed, we along with other clubs have continued to state that we are unhappy with certain aspects of what is being proposed.

“We are supportive of a number of the proposed changes, including an early July start date and winter break. As Neil Doncaster stated on Monday, he has been asked to further develop a number of areas and return to the clubs with a revised document.  Part of this process is focusing on a proper financial safety net for relegated clubs.

“Once that document is received, the Board of Directors will fully consider the revised proposal and make a decision. This has been our position throughout many months of discussion and it did not change in any way during Monday’s meeting.

“Now that the overall position with the proposal is clearer, we are keen to engage fully with our fans and encourage full and frank discussion. Leeann Dempster has arranged, after requesting Supporters Trust assistance, an open fans forum for this coming Monday and we would encourage you to attend.

“Thank you for your continued support.”[/onlymembers]

Motherwell Football Club will host an open forum this coming Monday to discuss the recent SPL restructuring proposals.

The meeting will take place on Monday 24th January 2011 in Fir Park’s Cooper Suite, with the evening getting underway at 7.00pm. Motherwell FC Chief Executive Leeann Dempster and Vice Chairman Derek Weir will take part in a Question and Answer session with all topics welcome.

The event is open to all Motherwell fans, demand is expected to be high and admission is on a first come first served basis. Motherwell Supporters Trust members can guarantee a place by emailing members@mstonline.net.

The Trust has encouraged Motherwell fans to get in touch by emailing splmeeting@mstonline.net with their questions for Leeann and Derek. These won’t be shared before the night but it will ensure that questions are asked and opinions heard.

Motherwell Football Club are today delighted to announce the appointment of Kenny Black as assistant manager to Stuart McCall.

Black, a former Motherwell player in the early eighties, has been working as a coach with the Scotland set-up after a four year stint as boss of Lanarkshire neighbours Airdrie United.

[onlymembers]The 47-year-old enjoyed reasonable success at New Broomfield, winning the Alba Challenge Cup in 2008 and was heavily linked with the vacant position at Dundee around the same time.

More recently Black was reunited with Craig Levein, who he worked under at Leicester City, as coach of the Scotland National team, a role which he will continue whilst at Motherwell.

Speaking exclusively to motherwellfc.co.uk, Black said, “I am absolutely delighted to be back in full-time football.

“I’ve played here at Motherwell and know the place well. But the biggest attraction is getting back to working with the players and Stuart McCall on a day-to-day basis.

“We’ve got a really decent group of players here who have shown their qualities in recent years. We need to get back to that level of performance in the last five months of the season and I am confident we can do so.”

‘Well boss Stuart McCall added, “I am thrilled to have someone of Kenny’s stature working alongside me at Motherwell and I am hopeful it’s a partnership that will work well.

“Kenny has bags of experience and to have someone who works with the senior Scotland set-up is a massive bonus for Motherwell Football Club. He’s a hard worker who I am sure the players will enjoy working with.”[/onlymembers]

The Semi Final clash with Rangers at Hampden is sure to be a memorable occasion and you can enjoy the big day in style.

Motherwell Football Club are offering fantastic hospitality packages which will make for an incredible VIP day out.

Priced at just £65 and highlights include:

• Arrive at 11am to Centenary Suite in the Phil O’Donnell Stand.
• Succulent two course buffet served for 11.30am.
• Full pay bar facilities from 12.30pm.
• Private Coach transfers to Hampden, leaving Fir Park at 1.30pm.
• Match ticket and complimentary Programme.
• Private Coach returns to Fir Park after the match.
• Full pay bar facilities available on return.

For information and bookings, contact the commercial department now on 01698 338008 or email commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Referee for this Saturday’s Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League clash with Hibs is Alan Muir.

It will be Muir’s second ‘Well game of the season, having overseen the 1-1 draw with St Mirren in Paisley last November, coincidentally, his last SPL game.

He’ll be a familiar face to Motherwell fans having taken charge of three games last term too.

The most recent was certainly one to forget though; a 4-0 defeat by Celtic in Glasgow at the start of May this year.

He took charge of the 3-2 extra-time with over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Co-operative Insurance Cup Fourth Round and the lively 2-2 draw against Dundee United back in late November 2009.

The latter was infamous for two red cards, shown to Prince Bauben and Danny Swanson, and a missed red card for Jennison Myrie-Williams which prompted the then United boss Craig Levein to remove him from the game almost immediately.

The season before last, Muir was the man in the middle for the 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in October, the 0-0 draw with St Mirren at Love Street in January and the 3-0 victory over Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park in May.

In all those games he has produced 22 yellow cards, ten of which were shown to a player in claret and amber, and two red card, the first given to former defender Paul Quinn for a professional foul on David Fernandez in the 1-0 defeat to Killie and the most recent to Michael Higdon in that game with St Mirren two months ago.

The 35-year-old has taken charge of six SPL games so far in this campaign, including Celtic’s 9-0 annihilation of Aberdeen which produced three yellow cards, two red cards and three penalty kicks.

His other appointments have come at Tannadice when Inverness Caley hammered Dundee Utd by 4-0, New Douglas Park where a 90th minute goal by Kenny Miller gave Rangers all three points against Hamilton.

He’s also been at the Caledonian Stadium as Inverness drew with St Johnstone and again at Tannadice when Kilmarnock held the Tangerines to a 1-1 draw.

He will be ably assisted on the day by Gordon Middleton and Ross Hawell, with Kevin Clancy on fourth official duties.

Saturday’s Clydesdale Bank SPL clash with Hibernian at Fir Park will be shown, in full, on BBC Alba.

The Edinburgh club are finding things tough at the minute but have a good recent record against the Steelmen.

[onlymembers]Stuart McCall is still looking for his first SPL win as manager but with three clean sheets in the last four games, the former Bradford boss will be hoping three points are just around the corner.

The match will be broadcast on the Spòrs show, starting at 5.30pm, showing full match coverage as well as post-match reaction.

The Gaelic channel launched in the autumn of 2008 and is available on Sky (channel 168) and Freesat, with a Freeview launch expected after a review this year.[/onlymembers]

Motherwell face Hibernian this Saturday with both teams desperate for three points and we want you to watch the big match in style.

Colin Calderwood’s side have been struggling of late and find themselves just four points off the foot of the table. However, the Easter Road men will be heartened by previous results against ‘Well having won twice against the Steelmen this campaign, including a 3-2 win in Lanarkshire back in August.

Stuart McCall has shored things up since arrival at Fir Park with the team keeping three clean sheets in his four games in charge. However, the former Bradford boss will be hoping his strikers can do their part as ‘Well continue to battle it out for a top-six spot.

So there’s plenty to play for and you can enjoy the big match in style from our recently refurbished Centenary Suite.

You will be welcomed on arrival with a glass of bubbly, then sit down to a fantastic three course meal.

Complimentary Motherwell labelled wine will be served at your table and a pay bar facility is available via our attentive staff offering a drinks service to your table.

Relax until before kick off with your complimentary matchday magazines and teamsheet before taking your seats in the centre of the Phil O’Donnell Stand for the match.

Half time refreshments are served again in the Centenary Suite and a pay bar is available after match.

Prices start from as little as £79!

We also have amazing packages available in both the South Stand Boxes and the Millennium Suite as well as the Match Ball Sponsorship.

If you are interested, then contact Diane or Wilma on 01698 338062 or email commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Winners of the Youth Development Grand Christmas Raffle were drawn at half-time on Saturday against Inverness CT.

Billy Scott from Mitton Mechanical & Sandy Kilpatrick of Maxim Power Tools did the honours, and they pulled out the following winners:

• 7th Prize – Personalised Trackside Board. WINNER: Mr J Anderson (Motherwell)
• 6th Prize – MFC Deluxe Hamper. WINNER: Ian Porteous (Motherwell)
• 5th Prize – Unique 1st Team signed portrait 2010/11. WINNER: T.Gallagher (Burnbank, Hamilton)
• 4th Prize – Hospitality for four at a SPL match here at Fir Park. WINNER: Vic Graham (Motherwell)
• 3rd Prize – Gleneagles package including overnight accommodation, golf, spa and dinner. WINNER: Kirsty Lowe (Motherwell)
• 2nd Prize – Hospitality and overnight accommodation for Everton FC Premiership match. WINNER: Ian Livingstone (Motherwell)
• 1st Prize – Travel for 2 in MFC team bus to away match with hospitality. WINNER: Jamie Bruce (Glasgow)

[onlymembers]The club will be in touch with all the winners via telephone (or letter should a contact number not be provided) to arrange the collecting of prizes.

Head of Youth Development Gordon Young said, “I would like to reiterate my thanks to everyone who bought and sold tickets for the raffle.

“I would also like to thank Billy Scott from Mitton Mechanical and Sandy Kilpatrick from Maxim Power Tools for making the draw and their continued invaluable support of our Youth Development programme.

“Fundraising like this is essential if we’re to continue producing excellent young players for the first-team. season after season.”[/onlymembers]

Motherwell FC can tonight confirm the departure of defender Mark Reynolds who has joined Sheffield Wednesday for an undisclosed fee.

23-year-old Reynolds, who played 202 times in Claret and Amber, was the subject of a failed bid by the npower League One club last week.

[onlymembers]However, Owls boss Alan Irvine has been a long-term admirer of the former Scotland U21 star and after renegotiating their offer, both clubs agreed a fee.

Motherwell-born, Reynolds made his Steelmen debut at the tail end of the 2005/06 season when he lined up against Livingston at Almondvale.

He missed the first two games of the 2006/07 season, against Rangers and St Mirren, but, following an injury to Bobby Donnelly, the then 19-year-old deputised and has started virtually every game since. He recently passed the 200 game milestone at the New Years Day against Hamilton at New Douglas Park.

Reynolds has also represented Scotland at every International level up to the U21 although his lack of full caps remains something of a mystery.

After having several approaches rejected, including a seven-figure bid from Rangers two and a half years ago, the defender has finally secured a move with five months left of his current deal.

Motherwell Football Club would like to thank Mark for all his efforts during his time at Fir Park and wish him all the very best in his future career.[/onlymembers]

Stuart McCall is confident of making his first signing next week after losing England-bound Mark Reynolds before the 0-0 draw with Inverness.

McCall confirmed Reynolds had travelled to Sheffield after the club accepted an improved offer from the npower League One club (Sheffield Wednesday), who previously had a five-figure bid rejected.

[onlymembers]Shaun Hutchinson stepped into central defence for an impressive first start in 13 months, although a slip nearly allowed Richie Foran to net a late winner.

McCall has now lost four players, leaving him with only eight players over the age of 21, before his Fir Park managerial debut ended in a Clydesdale Bank Premier League stalemate.

“Mark’s on his way down to Sheffield Wednesday to sign for them,” McCall admitted. “We wish him all the best, he’s been a great servant for Motherwell.

“The fee is what the club said they would sell him for before I came here. I won’t be seeing anything of it but I knew that. It’s not a problem, I’ll get his wages.

“If you’re asking me can I replace Mark for what he was, at this stage of the season? Probably not. But I’ll be doing my best.

“It’s good business for the kid and good business for Motherwell. We are getting money that we wouldn’t get at the end of the season and it’s better happening two weeks before the transfer window shuts than two days.”

McCall, who saw Keith Lasley limp off with a hamstring problem, did not want to promise new signings before the visit of Hibernian next Saturday but he is working to bring in a striker, left winger and defender.

He said: “I got told yesterday the Mark Reynolds deal was dead in the water and one phonecall later and it’s happened.

“There are a couple of things I feel close to but then I look at the television and they have moved to the Championship.

“But I’m very hopeful we’ll have a couple of fresh faces in before next week.”

McCall was pleased with his team’s second-half performance after goalkeeper Darren Randolph kept them level as Inverness created several chances for Adam Rooney and also Graeme Shinnie.

With the fierce wind and rain largely at their backs in the second period, Well created more opportunities without troubling Inverness goalkeeper Ryan Esson too much.

“I think they played the conditions better in the first half,” McCall said. “I was happy to go in at 0-0 at half-time.

“I had a few words and I was really proud of the second-half performance.

“If you consider the heavy pitch and the fact we had a cup tie in Dundee on Saturday and a game at Dundee United on Wednesday night, they showed good desire and determination no to get beat.

“That’s three clean sheets in four games, we just need to start finding the net.”[/onlymembers]