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Motherwell Football Club Vice Chairman Derek Weir today released the following update on the current reconstruction debate in Scottish Football.

He said, “I have represented Motherwell on the SPL Strategy Group, and as such, have heard the arguments for and against increasing or decreasing the size of the league. I’ve also been a season ticket holder at Fir Park since 1975 so fully understand the fans’ frustrations.

“The first point to make is that a ten team league has not been agreed. A document setting out the various options has been circulated to all clubs which recommends a number of changes, including league size. Some of those changes are good for Motherwell FC, others not so good. The changes have not yet been voted on and there is still far more work to be done before decisions are made.

“What we do have to bear in mind is the importance of the funds we receive from TV deals, other media and sponsors. We are unfortunately already in a position where our best players can move to lower leagues in other countries for significantly increased wages and any further reduction in income from those sources will only make this problem worse. This will lead to a decline in the quality on the pitch. 

“The reality is that the media in particular want as many games between the bigger clubs as possible. Making any change which reduces the number of these games will inevitably impact on what they would be prepared to pay. Football is like any other business, it relies on maximising income to thrive. It is for this reason that we have been prepared to consider the two leagues of ten set-up but, despite what has been reported, we have not yet agreed to any of the proposals.

“Clearly the fans are a huge part of the game and we absolutely need to fully consider their views before making any decisions. That process is already well underway, with the SPL Chairman meeting representatives of the Supporters Trust from each club. I personally would much prefer that we obtained the vast majority of our income from fans paying to watch exciting live football!

“There is more work to be done before any conclusions are reached and I can absolutely assure you that all input and views are being considered as part of the process.”

Fans are also reminded that the club released the following statement on October 20th covering a great deal of these issues: https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2010/10/20/club-statement-4/

Striker Lee Erwin will join up with the Scotland U17s for their winter training camp in Malta this evening.

The Bellshill-born sixteen-year-old, a regular in the season’s 19s side, will be a part of a squad that will play two challenge matches at their base at the Ta’Qali Training Grounds on the 10th and 12th January respectively.

Head of Youth Development Gordon Young said, “We’re obviously delighted to have any of our boys involved in the International set-up and this is a good opportunity for Lee to impress Ross Mathie and his team.

“We’ll continue to try and develop players not only good enough for the Motherwell first-team but, in time, the Scottish national side.”

Motherwell take on Terry Butcher’s Inverness on Saturday 15th January and we want you to enjoy the big match in style.

The Highlanders have being going fantastically well this campaign, even more so on the road. Incredibly, Caley went the full calendar year without losing a league game away from home but lost their first game in 2011, at McDiarmid Park, to St Johnstone.

They are led by two former Motherwell managers – Terry Butcher and Maurice Malpas; both are sure to get a reception from the ‘Well fans.

Motherwell have being struggling for form of late however, following the appointment of new boss Stuart McCall, the whole club has been given a lift.

With both teams still in the hunt for a top-six spot, it could be a crucial SPL encounter 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 £69!

We also have amazing packages available in both the South Stand Boxes and the Millennium Suite.

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

Stuart McCall is in a positive mood after spending the afternoon getting familiarised with some of the youngsters and squad players at the club.

McCall, in his first full week in charge of Motherwell, watched as a ‘Reserve’ side played a bounce game against St. Mirren at Ravenscraig this afternoon, and the former Bradford City boss is positive about what the future holds.

“It was good, today, to see the likes of Hutchinson, Forbes, McHugh, Casagolda and Pollock and a few other players,” the former Everton and Rangers midfielder praised. “They got a full 90 minutes against St. Mirren – although it was on an artificial surface – and I’ll look forward to seeing more of them.

“It’s important to have a look at these boys, whether it’s in training or in bounce games like today. Every player here is on a clean slate and I will make my own decisions as quickly as possible.

“It’s important that I hit the ground running and assess the squad as quickly as I can. I’ve seen the last few games that the senior lads have played, but I hadn’t seen much of the squad players and the younger boys.”

The new ‘Well gaffer admits he is in something of a race against time to get to know the qualities of his entire squad in the midst of a hectic time for The Steelmen.

Motherwell face a tough trip to Dundee in the Scottish Cup on Sunday before a run of six games in three weeks – including the Co-operative Insurance semi-final against Rangers.

All this is in the middle of a busy transfer window which sees the club negotiating with out-of-contract players and trying to hold on to their loan star.

Many managers would shudder at that schedule, but McCall insists he is thriving: “It’s a hectic time at the moment, but it is something I am relishing.

“It’s great to be back involved. The senior boys had a terrific session today and looked really fired up, and it was good to see Jennings back training too, so it’s enjoyable.

“In an ideal world any manager will tell you that they would like to come in for pre-season and work with the players for five or six games, but we know that we don’t have time for that and we will assess things quickly.

“In the mean time I’ve got a few lads going out of contract and we are still trying to keep Nick Blackman at the club for the rest of the season.”

Stuart McCall’s Motherwell travel north this Sunday to take on Dundee in the Scottish Cup Fourth Round.

The Dees have battled through the problems of administration admirably well and sit just one point off the top of the First Division table, despite losing their management team and a host of first-team players.

They do have an outstanding 25-point deduction hanging over the head, which would take them bottom, but former ‘Well supremo Bryan Jackson at PKF is still appealing that judgment.

Motherwell have found good form hard to come by in recent times but Stuart McCall has given everyone at the club a lift and the players will be eager to impress in front of the live Sky cameras.

Motherwell fans will be housed in the Bob Shankly Stand, behind the goal, with tickets available on the gate priced at:

Adults: £15
Concessions: £5

• Concessions are listed as Under 16’s and 60 and over’s.
• Fans that require wheelchair access should contact the club on 01698 338068 or email tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Supporters Association

Three Supporters Association coaches will make their way to the match:

WISHAW BRANCH

The Wishaw branch bus to Dundee on Sunday 9th January will leave Wishaw at 11am. To book seats phone Anne (01698) 470601 or email andrew.sim48@btinternet.com.

CENTRAL BRANCH

The bus for Dundee will leave the Bentley Hotel at 10.45am. Phone Jim on (01698) 299650 or e-mail Christopher on christopher_hutton@btinternet.com.

BELLSHILL & DISTRICT BRANCH

The Dundee bus will pick up at the Fir Park Club, Motherwell at 9.40am then the Carousel Bar, Bellshill at 9.50am and finally the Holytown War Monument at 10.00am. To book seats, contact Brian Worton after 6pm on (01698) 747644.

By car

The stadium is located less than 200 yards from Dens Park, home of their city rivals Dundee, and is well signposted for travelling fans.

Head towards Perth on the A9 and then follow the A90 into Dundee, leaving at the junction with the B960 to turn right on to Clepington Road (signposted Football traffic).

Continue along Clepington Road for one mile and go through a roundabout before turning right on Arklay Street. The stadium will be clearly visible on the left.

Street parking is available on numerous streets around the ground.

By bus

Several operators run buses to Dundee, departing every hour from Buchanan Station in Glasgow city centre.

Further information and timetables are available online at www.citylink.co.uk.

By train

Dundee station is over two miles away from the ground, although frequent bus services run throughout the city.

Further information and timetables are available online at www.scotrail.co.uk.

Referee for this Sunday’s Scottish Cup Fourth Round clash with Dundee at Dens Park will be Steve Conroy.

Conroy, who has been a senior official for almost a decade, has been surprisingly absent from most top-team games this campaign. Indeed, his one and only SPL fixture so far has been Inverness’s 4-2 home win over Hibernian in mid-November.

Despite that, he’ll be a familiar face to most Motherwell fans having officiated three games last season.

The first was Hibs’ 3-1 win at Fir Park in September which was followed by another 3-1 reverse, this time at the hands of St Johnstone on Boxing Day; incidentally, Jim Gannon’s last match in charge at Fir Park.

His most recent was about a year ago, when he was the man in the middle for Motherwell’s terrific 3-0 win at Pittodrie thanks to a Lukas Jutkiewicz goal and a brace from John Sutton.

Despite his top-flight experience, Conroy has never taken charge of a Motherwell versus Dundee encounter, nor has he officiated the Steelmen on Scottish Cup duty.

His overall record in Motherwell games is a bit of a mix bag for the Fir Parkers. Motherwell have won six, drawn two and lost eight of the sixteen games Conroy has taken charge of. Fifteen goals have been scored whilst twenty have hit the back of the ‘Well net.

In those games, 36 players have been cautioned, twelve wearing Claret and Amber, whilst two have been dismissed (Francisco Miranda of St Mirren in 2008/09 and Scott Wilson of Dunfermline in 2005/06.

Conroy will be ably assisted by Tom Murphy and Stephen Mitchell with Euan Norris on fourth official duties.

For the first time ever, Motherwell FC will be fielding community teams in leagues and competitions across Lanarkshire from Spring 2011.

If you want to be play for the ‘Well, and maybe realise your dream of notching a hat trick in the famous claret and amber then you must first be enrolled in one of our soccer schools.

This way you will get expert coaching from our community coaches that will improve your technique, game awareness and fitness.

Enrolling in our soccer schools is easy using our online booking service at www.motherwellsoccerschools.com. The cost is £40.00 for a ten week booking.

If you would like to know more about our community teams or our soccer schools give us a call on 01698 239 926 or download our brochure by Clicking Here.

Mark Reynolds, Jamie Murphy and John Sutton all reached important milestones in their Motherwell careers this afternoon.

Mark Reynolds, a product of the Youth Development programme, took part in his 200th game for the club, despite being just 23-years-old.

What makes the stat even more remarkable is that the defender has started every single one of those games and has yet to make a senior substitute appearance. Motherwell-born, Reynolds holds the joint record for most appearances in European competition and has played at every International level with the exception of the full squad, but that call can’t be far away.

Jamie Murphy is another star to emerge from the Motherwell FC production line, blasting onto the scene in April 2007. This afternoon was his 100th SPL appearance in Claret and Amber, 51 of those coming as a starter. The Scotland U21 star has a decent scoring record (20 goals in 62 starts), particularly when you consider a large proportion of games he has been utilised on the flanks.

And John Sutton has been ever-present in the side too since he signed Wycombe Wanderers in August 2008. The striker racked up his 100th appearance for Motherwell this afternoon. Always a goal threat, the 27-year old has netted a very respectable 31 times in just 80 starts for the club.

Stuart McCall believes there is more to come from his Motherwell side after enduring a disappointing first match in charge of the Steelmen. 

‘Well drew 0-0 with their Lanarkshire neighbours Hamilton in a match which was fairly low on quality and saw both sides struggle to carve many clear-cut openings.

The gaffer expects to see an improvement after a little more time to work with his new charges.

“The attacking team we had out today are much better that what they’ve shown,” the former Bradford City manager insisted.

“Thankfully – although the games come thick and fast soon – we have a week off now and I can work with the players on the training ground. There are little things that I would like to work on; aspects of the game that I think we can improve on – and that we will improve on.

“There are positives: It’s a clean sheet and we’ve got the point to build on. So well be positive and move on.”

McCall was refreshingly honest in his assessment of a tame Lanarkshire derby, admitting that his Motherwell side didn’t deserve much more than the point they came away with.

Although opportunities were at a premium, the home side had the pick of the chances, and could have pinched all three points when Dougie Imrie hared through on goal, only to fire wide of the post.

A John Sutton effort, which cannoned off the bar, was the closest the visitors came as both sides continued their run without a win.

“I’m slightly disappointed to be honest,” the 46-year old said candidly. “I don’t think we deserved any more than what we got. It was a derby match and it was never going to be a classic, but we were sloppy at times and we have to be better than that.

“We had some decent possession in the first half, without really turning that into goal scoring chances. I was content at half-time and thought, if we could build on the possession, we could get the win.

“But it didn’t turn out like that, and at the end Imrie has run through and he could have nicked the win for them. So there’s actually relief in a way, but I know we have better quality than what we’ve shown today.”

Pictures from the 0-0 draw with Hamilton in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at New Douglas Park. These action shots and more are available to buy online at www.motherwellpics.com.

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