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Motherwell have agreed to join the Friday night football experiment and as such, the match against Hibs will now take place on Friday 2nd December.

The initiative had varying degrees of success when first piloted when Aberdeen met Dunfermline at Pittodrie recently.

The club have been keen to explore the positives and negatives for some time now and have agreed to take part.

As such, the Hibernian game, will now take place on Friday 2nd December, kick-off 7.45pm. The game was originally scheduled for Saturday 3rd December

SPL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster recently blogged on the league’s website about the topic and it makes for very interesting reading.

In that, he said, “There is no ‘silver bullet’ single solution to the various issues confronting the game in Scotland. And there is no monopoly on good ideas.

“Some ideas will undoubtedly work better than others. And some ideas may suit some supporters more than others. But what’s vital is that we remain open-minded, try out different suggestions and give new ideas a chance.”

The club are very keen to hear your views. There is a live survey open at the moment established to gauge fan opinion. To take part, please CLICK HERE.

Motherwell Community Trust supremo Stevie Kirk today spoke of his delight at the success of the recent October Week Academy Experience Programme.

The ‘91 Cup hero is the figure point behind the Trust and told MFC TV of his delight at how things worked out.

“This was the first programme like this that we have ran it was absolutely fantastic,” said the 48-year old.

“The whole thing sold out just days after going on sale and it was a real success thanks to the involvement of the players and the management team.

“We aim to get as many kids as we can in and involved and enjoying themselves but just as important, we are teaching them football and life skills, including healthy eating.

“It has been the most successful programme we have put together and we have learned a lot too. The next one will be even better.”

-TO WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW CLICK HERE-

Motherwell Reserves ran out 3-1 winners over Dunfermline at Dalziel Park this afternoon.

The Pars took the lead midway through the first half when Thomson latched on to a ball over the top and kept his composure to smash home low past Tom Bradley.

Motherwell equalised in the second half when a Ross Forbes free-kick into the area caused havoc and a combination of a visiting defender and Shaun Hutchinson eventually bundled the ball into the net from almost underneath the crossbar.

It remained that way until Jamie Pollock edged ‘Well in front. Collecting a pass from Forbes, the midfielder quickly shifted the ball on to his left foot and smashed it home from about twenty yards.

And within sixty seconds, it was 3-1 for the Steelmen. Steven Howarth took advantage of a sloppy back pass before rounding the keeper and tucking home to complete the scoring.

Motherwell: Bradley, Carswell, Halsman, Hughes, Page, Hutchinson, Daley, Smith, Forbes, Pollock, Howarth

-CLICK HERE TO WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS-

Veteran midfielder Keith Lasley has won the Cash Converters Player of the Month award for September.

Lasley has been brilliant for the ‘Well throughout September. The “Housewive’s favourite” has been instrumental in pushing the team into second in the league and has already netted three times this season.

The award was presented to Keith by ‘Well fan Stuart Hay, who voted for Keith at the Cash Converters SPL Facebook page.

Lasley told motherwellfc.co.uk, “It’s always nice to win any award, particularly if it has been voted on by the supporters.

“The team have performed well so far this season but the challenge is to keep that up over the winter months. I would like to thank the fans who voted and, of course, our sponsors Cash Converters for their invaluable involvement.”

[pullquote]The team have performed well so far this season but the challenge is to keep that up over the winter months.[/pullquote]

For your chance to present the October award, all you need to do is vote for which Motherwell player you think has been our stand-out performer over the last four weeks, and, if you are correct, you could be chosen at random from all entries received to congratulate our star man in person.

To cast your vote, go to Cash Converters Facebook page – Cash Converters SPL or CLICK HERE.

Referee for this Saturday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Inverness CT will be the experienced Crawford Allan.

It will be Crawford’s second ‘Well game of the current season, his first was the instantly forgettable 3-0 home defeat at the hands of St Johnstone last month.

He’ll no doubt be a familiar face to Fir Park fans, having handled three games last season too.

He was the man in the middle for the 4-0 win over St Johnstone last November thanks to a hat-trick from Nick Blackman and a single John Sutton strike.

Three months later he was back at Fir Park when a John Sutton penalty was enough to give ‘Well a 1-0 win over local rivals Hamilton Accies. He also handled the 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock in May when Steve Jones’ opener was cancelled out by Willy Aubameyang.

The season previous, he was the man in the middle for the 3-1 success early in Jim Gannon’s reign when John Sutton, Ross Forbes and Shaun Hutchinson gave the ‘Well all three points over Kilmarnock.

Monthly later he officiated the 1-1 draw with Aberdeen when Gary McDonald, who would later be ordered off, cancelled out a Lukas Jutkiewicz opener.

Tragically, Allan took charge of the ‘Well game on the 29th December 2007, forever etched in history as the date when Phil O’Donnell tragically passed away in the 5-3 victory over Dundee United.

Phil’s death had a profound effect on the whistler, a Grade 1 official for eleven seasons, but he won heartfelt praise for the way he handled what was an extremely difficult situation and his sensitive approach is and was appreciated by everyone at Motherwell Football Club.

In another twist of fate, Allan is only one of two referees to have ever refereed a Motherwell away game at Fir Park as the Steelmen faced hosts Gretna during the 2007/2008 campaign.

His record in charge of the ‘Well is a fairly decent one, with the Fir Parkers winning five, drawing four and losing one (the aforementioned defeat by St Johnstone five weeks ago) of the ten games in total. In those games, 25 players have seen yellow, eleven in Claret and Amber, whilst three have been sent for an early bath.

Allan will be ably assisted by Derek Rose and Andy Tait with Kevin Clancy on fourth official duties.

Out of contract former Steelmen midfielder Stephen Hughes has joined up with the squad to keep himself fit and match sharp.

The 28-year old has been without a club after leaving Norwich City in August and ‘Well boss Stuart McCall has allowed him to utilise the clubs’ training facilities whilst searching for a club.

Hughes spoke exclusively to MFC TV this afternoon after completing his first week back at Fir Park.

-CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE INTERVIEW ON MFC TV-

Our two premium sponsorship packages are still available for several of Motherwell’s SPL clashes throughout the 2011/2011 season.

MATCH SPONSOR

Our matchday sponsorship packages provide the perfect opportunity for you to combine high profile branding for your business with first class corporate entertainment for your clients.

Offering first class service levels, the packages are arranged in several flexible ways – depending on your company size and budget.  Alternatively, you may want to get together with a group of friends or family to sponsor a match where we can tailor a package to your requirements.

As Match Sponsor, you choose the Motherwell Man of the Match.  Your chosen player will then join you for a chat where you will present the award and have your picture taken by our club photographer for the following matchday programme.

Match Sponsorship opportunities are available throughout the season from only £2,500+vat.

MATCH BALL SPONSOR

Match Ball Sponsorship offers the opportunity for you to associate your business with the focus of the game – the match ball itself.

Your party of four will be welcomed and shown to our Centenary Suite where you can enjoy a first class meal after which you will be escorted to the Millennium Suite for a complimentary bar both pre and post match.

Acknowledgement of your sponsorship will be announced via the scoreboard, public-address system and a prominent advertisement in the matchday programme.

As Match Ball Sponsor, you choose the Young Man of the Match.  Your chosen player will then join you for a chat where you will present the award and have your picture taken by our club photographer for the following matchday programme. Your Young MOTM will then present you with the match ball in a presentation case as a memento of your day.

Match Ball Sponsorship opportunities are available throughout the Season from only £650+vat.

For more information or to book please contact Diane or Wilma at the club on 01698 338008 / 338062 or email commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Tim Clancy insists ‘Well aren’t looking any further than their next game after a 0-0 draw with Kilmarnock kept the Steelmen in second place.

The Irishman, a former Kilmarnock player, continued his recent excellent form at the heart of the Claret and Amber rearguard, partnering Stephen Craigan for ‘Well’s seventh clean sheet in twelve SPL outings.

And despite continuing the Fir Parkers’ recent good run, the 27-year old insists the players aren’t looking beyond next Saturday’s clash with Inverness in the Highlands.

“We are not even looking at the top six at the moment; we are taking every game as it comes,” he said.

“It is a good result for us as it keeps our good run going; that is four unbeaten. Inverness next week may suit us better playing away from home, and we might get another win but it will be very difficult as always.”

Reflecting on the match, he continued: “It was a good game, a no score draw but it was an exciting nil-nil with chances at both ends with both teams playing really well. A draw was probably a fair result.

“It’s a good result as Killie play good football as they showed when they scored three against Celtic last week. To keep a clean sheet is a positive step for us, but at home you are looking to win these games to get into, and stay in, the top six.”

Clancy spent four good years at Rugby Park and it may have been safe to assume that he was keen to prove a few doubters wrong.

[pullquote]It was a good game, a no score draw but it was an exciting nil-nil with chances at both ends with both teams playing really well. A draw was probably a fair result[/pullquote]

However, that didn’t enter the defenders mind and he insists he holds no bitterness towards his former employers or their manager, Kenny Sheils.

Asked by the gathered press if he had a point to prove to the Northern Irishman, Clancy said, “No point to prove at all, I really enjoyed my time at Killie.

“At the end I wasn’t playing as much as I would like. When this move came up it was good for both parties, therefore no real point to prove. Kenny Shiels knows me as well as any manager so there was no point to prove and no hard feelings.”

Although the game finished goalless, Kilmarnock did have the ball in the net midway through the first half when Manuel Pascali headed home a corner from the left.

The Italian was denied by Craig Thomson’s whistle; the official having blown for a foul on Stephen Craigan.

It was a call the Motherwell stopper agreed with, “I was underneath him and he had two hands on Crags’ (Stephen Craigan) shoulders. Sometimes you can get away with it but I thought it was the right decision. We would have felt pretty aggrieved had the goal being allowed to stand.”

Stuart McCall admits that a draw was probably the fairest result after a hard-fought battle with Kilmarnock ended 0-0.

Anssi Jaakola was in sparkling form to deny the best of ‘Well’s chances, a save from Chris Humphrey and a spectacular double-stop in the second half proving particular highlights.

Yet, Killie will look back on their own close-calls, most notably a super Gary Harkins drive, which rattled the post, with Darren Randolph beaten.

And the Steelmen boss believes a point each is just about the right result after a lively encounter.

“We were strong in defence, although they had a lot of possession and looked to be a threat. We’ve snuffed them out, big Darren hasn’t has much to do,” said an analytical McCall.

“We could have been better in the last third, but overall it was a decent game. We can’t turn in sparkling performances week in week out, but if we give our all and play strong and solid then I’m happy. We’ve deserved to win a few games this season 1-0, and today we could have nicked it – but, in fairness, they could have nicked it too.

“They are a good side, you don’t score three against Celtic if you’re not. They’ll be pleased with their performance, but a draw was about a fair result.”

[pullquote]We can’t turn in sparkling performances week in week out, but if we give our all and play strong and solid then I’m happy.[/pullquote]

The gaffer singled out Tim Clancy for particular praise after his fine display against Killie.

The Irishman was solid against his old employers, and continues to look a marvelous purchase by McCall.

“I’ve been really pleased with Tim Clancy,” the former Bradford boss lauded. “He’s had one dodgy game where he scored an own goal, but he’s been solid.

“You could tell he was up for it and he did well today. You’ve got to have clean sheets to build a good base”

McCall hopes that an attractive display – albeit goalless – sent the Fir Park fans home happy.

The nature of a televised early kick-off, allied with the financial realities afflicting most supporters at the moment, meant that the attendance was modest.

But rather than bemoan that fact, the ‘Well boss aims to entertain those who do make the pilgrimage.

He continued: “Everyone knows the hardship of life at the moment and football is expensive. Hopefully we can send people home happy.

“Today, we seen some decent stuff, and our fans stayed. It was nip and tuck towards the end – we could have got one, they could have got one – so it would have been nice to reward them with a few goals. We go to Inverness next week and look forward to it.”

Pictures from the 0-0 draw with Kilmarnock in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Fir Park.

These action shots and more are available to buy online at www.motherwellpics.com.

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