Latest News

Never fall in love with a loan player. That’s the unwritten rule when it comes to a fan’s obsession with a new recruit. But does the rule change when that loan move becomes a permanent one?

Well, for Peter Hartley, it certainly seemed to be the case. A man who showed passion every time he crossed the white line, mixed with his enforcer-type mannerism, meant he quickly established a loving relationship with the ‘Well supporters in the stands.

But his journey to Fir Park was one that came about in a strange way. Hartley joined Motherwell at the end of the summer transfer window in 2017 on loan, but what made the move that bit stranger was that he joined Blackpool on a permanent deal earlier in the window, despite Stephen Robinson wanting to bring him to North Lanarkshire.

“I spoke to Stephen Robinson in the summer, as my wife had just given birth to our first child,” Hartley said.

“At the time, I was with Bristol Rovers, and I had said to the manager that I needed to move closer to home. Lincoln,

Blackpool, Luton and Motherwell had all come in for me. Luton was out of the question straight away as it was too far away.

“I chose Blackpool, basically because it was the closest to where I lived. The conversations with Robinson were unreal and in the back of my head, I did want to go to Motherwell. After two days at Blackpool, I was thinking, what on earth have I done here?

“Pre-season started and the start of the season came next; I didn’t get in a couple of the squads. Gary Bowyer and I had a conflict of interests, so I rang Carl McHugh on my way back from a game. Ben Heneghan was departing. Carl said to give him two minutes and that he was next to the manager.

“Within 20 minutes, Robinson had rang me and told me to get up the road. He said that he’d sign me on loan until January, so I went back to Bowyer and told him that I’m away; he was like, what do you mean, you’ve just joined? But I signed the deal, didn’t look back, loved it, and still support the club now. It’s the first result I look for.”

And just like that, Peter Hartley was a Motherwell player, albeit only on loan. But in the building and straight into the action, he wasted no time in making his mark.

Something that he had been looking to do prior to arrival.

“My initial goal of the loan was to get a permanent contract because I didn’t want to go back to Blackpool,” Hartley explained.

“All I was thinking was, play well, and hopefully the manager will see enough for him to keep me. Thankfully, that happened. A lot of my friends were up there as well.

“Curtis Main joined the season after, but McHugh was there, who is my best mate, Tom Aldred also. A lot of people who I was close with in the football world were playing in the same team. That is unique.

“That speaks volumes for the success we had under Robinson because we were close as mates as well as a team. You know if you’ve got a bunch of mates on the same team together, you never want to let them down.”

It’s that good group of players who reached two cup finals in the 2017/18 season. But in only Hartley’s third game for Motherwell, he faced off against Aberdeen in the League Cup quarter-final at Fir Park.

With the chance to return to Hampden and reach a first League Cup semi-final in seven years looming, Hartley and his teammates produced one of the best performances under Robinson and thrashed Aberdeen 3-0 under the Fir Park lights.

“That game against Aberdeen stands out in my mind for one reason,” the former defender said.

“That is the most one-sided, dominant game I’ve ever been involved in as a professional player. Usually, you have 20 minutes where you’re on top and then the opposition has a spell. The momentum changes, but for that game we were the better team for 90 minutes.

“It was just relentless. Allan Campbell was superb. Cedric [Kipre], Charles Dunne, and I were all solid defensively. Louis Moult was on absolute flames. Everything just clicked; we could’ve played anyone in the league that night and won comfortably.

“On my debut against Kilmarnock, I came off with cramp. But that Aberdeen game kick started my relationship with the fans. Everyone knew what I was about after that; it was a good base to build from.”

That wonderful 3-0 win setup a semi-final match against Rangers at Hampden.

Although the task may have seemed daunting to a supporter, in the dressing room, there was always the feeling that the upset could be a possibility.

“It’s all about belief,” the former skipper added.

“And that’s before you even get on the pitch. You’ve got to find a way as a leader, whether that’s the manager or leaders in the dressing room, to make the followers believe they can win the game.

“Trevor Carson and I went to watch Rangers play Hamilton ten days before the semi-final. I remember standing and thinking that there was nothing for us to be scared of. I was thinking we could do them.

“Going into training, that was all I spoke about. I kept saying they’re beatable and that we stick to the plan. Do whatever we need to do to win. Beat them to the first challenge, play them off the park, control space and we’ll be fine.

“That day is right up there, but I’ve got two days that are my favourites. That one where we beat Rangers to reach the final but also a game for Plymouth where I scored in the 91st minute against Portsmouth to take us to Wembley.

“They are the most beautiful days in my memory. You have lots of downs and lows. When you’re lucky enough to experience days like that, it makes it all feel worth it. All the downs, turmoil, doubting yourself, and controlling your emotions suddenly are worth it.”

A famous 2-0 win over Rangers at Hampden that day secured Motherwell’s progression to the League Cup final. The post-match celebrations live long in the memory of the supporters in the stands that day, but it was also a special day for the players.

That successful period was down to hard work, quality when it mattered, and a team that played to their strengths.

“We knew how we were going to win games,” Hartley stated.

“We were a big, physical team. We had guys like Andy Rose, myself, Kipre, Bowman and McHugh. We knew we weren’t going to look pretty but we’d be effective. The manager knew that and all credit goes to him. He’s been successful playing that way but he also changed the club’s philosophy and fundamentals a couple years later. We finished third that season, fair play to him.”

Those memories live with Hartley. They’re moments that he treasures dearly and holds onto and when asked what his main highlight at Motherwell was, it wasn’t actually a match moment. It was when he witnessed the importance of the club to its supporters.

“My main highlight was driving into Hampden and seeing all the fans,” he recalled.

“It was then that I realised just how many people live in Motherwell. But I also loved the moment after the semi-final win against Aberdeen, when we went over and did the thunderclap with them.

“Everything is about the fans. Without them, nothing would be special. Motherwell fans are loyal and they back the team through thick and thin. To see smiles on their faces and repay them with success on the pitch is a standout moment for me.”

Peter Hartley has now embarked on the next chapter of his life. The 36-year-old called time on his playing career earlier this month and has hung up the boots.

“It wasn’t a tricky decision,” he said.

“I spoke with a lot of former players, friends, and even coaches, and they all said the same thing. They all said play as long as you can, as it’s a long time retired. But I knew it was time.

“There was something inside of me, I could’ve played for another two years but I just didn’t have the same buzz.

“I became more interested in the coaching side of things and developing the session. I’d wake up on a game day and I’d rather have been stood on the sidelines. I didn’t know what was ahead of me, but I just knew I wanted to coach.

“Middlesbrough have given me a great opportunity to get some experience but my end goal is to be a head coach. I’ve got some learning to do but I’d rather be a young coach than an older player. I’m head of Under 16s here, and I’m working five days a week. It’s a great team and we have a couple of lads already training with the first team.”

With him now transferring into coaching, Motherwell fans won’t be able to see Hartley pull on the claret and amber one more time. However, the door has been left wide open for a return as a fan.

“I’d love nothing more than to come back up,” he laughed.

“Stuart Kettlewell is doing a great job. As a fan, I’ll be up there when time allows. I’ve actually still got a place in Motherwell; I just love the club and community. I’ll be up in the near future to support the boys and coaches. I hope I get a decent welcome from the fans!”

Signing from Glasgow Women in the summer of 2022, Lucy Ronald quickly established her place at the core of the Motherwell midfield, earning the women’s player of the year award in her maiden season, but a serious injury sustained in the latter stages of the league campaign would suddenly rule the midfielder out of action.

483 days later, the 22-year-old returned to action on the very pitch that left her side-lined over a year and a half ago.

“It’s a really good feeling,” the midfielder explained.

“It’s been such a long time coming for myself personally and dreaming of the moment I could get back on the pitch kept me going through the recovery time.

“Getting back onto the same pitch that I last played on felt very emotional and I am really looking forward to the season ahead.”

A physically and mentally demanding challenge for the midfielder came to a hopeful and uplifting conclusion last weekend, as the women of steel kicked off the 2024/25 SWPL campaign with a comfortable 5-1 victory over Spartans in the Scottish capital.

Ronald took to the pitch in the latter stages of the second-half to the applause of both sides.

“It almost feels like it was meant to be,” Ronald noted.

“Around sixteen months ago, I landed very unfortunately on my right leg and instantly knew it was bad. Initially, I was told that my knee was dislocated, but in the following days it was confirmed it was an ACL injury which I knew was about a 9-12 month recovery process.

“Anyone who’s experienced an ACL injury will understand that the mental challenge is the most difficult aspect of recovery to face. Returning to the same pitch can be a massive contributor to that anxiety, so for me, I’m really pleased and relieved to get that one out of the way.

“I’ve never been injured in my career up until this point and missing out on the Scottish Cup Semi-Final at Hampden Park and experiencing playing at Fir park was hard for me to watch from the sidelines, but my biggest motivation was to experience the feeling of returning after working so hard. There is nothing sweeter than that.”

Even at 22, the youngster has had a wealth of experience in the women’s game, captaining Glasgow Women at only 18-years-old and has since become an integral component of the Motherwell squad, playing through the majority of her maiden season in claret and amber.

Ronald’s return to the matchday squad will strengthen Paul Brownlie’s revitalised squad after six fresh additions within the summer transfer window.

“The squads in a really good place,” Ronald emphasised.

“We’ve had a good pre-season and the players we’ve added to the squad as we saw on Sunday are already contributing to the team, which is always a positive sign, so hopefully we can continue to grow through the season.

“The atmosphere is great; it’s such a good group of girls. It’s nice to see how much we care about each other on and off the pitch and that has real impact in how we perform.

“I’m probably being a bit more realistic with myself this season. I’ve missed so much football and know it will take me awhile to get back to where I was and build on my confidence.

I want to perform well and have a really good season, I’ll always have those high expectations for myself but it’s also being realistic in the fact that it will take time.

Looking to go one step further than 12 months ago, Motherwell had to overcome Kilmarnock at Fir Park if they wanted to be in the hat for the quarter-final draw of the Premier Sports Cup. 

The visitors arrived at Fir Park having just won in Norway three days prior and made nine changes to their lineup. The Steelmen were still dealing with eight first-team injuries but started the game brightly.

Robinson and Miller both had opportunities but the game would change entirely when Stuart Findlay seen red for a second yellow card just before the hour mark.

New signings Tawanda Maswanhise and Tony Watt were introduced alongside Moses Ebiye, to push Motherwell over the line. Dominating the ball and creating plenty chances, the Killie backline survived and extra-time was required.

It didn’t take long for the deadlock to be broken in extra-time, as Ebiye headed home to give his side the advantage. Seeing out the game and ensuring that progression came next for Kettlewell’s side, Motherwell can now look forward to a home tie against Dundee United for a spot in the semi-final and a trip to Hampden.

The women of steel held off a late Montrose resurgence to earn back-to-back victories to open their 2024/25 SWPL campaign with a closely-fought 3-2 victory over the Gable Endies at K-Park.

The women of steel remain fifth in the SWPL league table on goal difference whilst remaining level on points with league leaders Hearts after coasting past a competitive Spartans team in the Scottish sottish capital last weekend.

Summer addition Rachel Todd netted her third league goal with a composed finish from the penalty spot after Morgan Cross opened the scoring with a precise finish into the bottom-left corner. Bailey Collins found the target for the second successive weekend after rounding off a quick counter-attack by dispatching a right-footed shot beyond the reach of the Montrose goalkeeper.

Head Coach Paul Brownlie made one change from the side that coasted past Spartans last weekend, with Sienna McGoldrick making her first competitive start, as Mason Blyth-Clark settled for a place on the bench.

Academy graduate Teoni Steele secured her first call-up to the senior squad after being named as a substitute.

Motherwell broke the deadlock on the 26th-minute, with Cross latching onto Jo Addie’s through ball before adding the finishing touches form close-range. Todd successfully dispatched her second consecutive penalty in two weeks, converting from 12-yards after Katie Rice was impeded in the penalty area.

Collins made it three shortly before the half-time whistle, completing a well-worked counter-attack after connecting with Louisa Boyes’ whipped delivery.

Despite a comfortable advantage at the break, the hosts lead soon looked uncertain, with the visitors netting twice early into the second-half. Nevertheless, the women of steel remained resolute and held on to the narrow scoreline to earn maximum points from their opening two league games this season.

Motherwell’s progressed into the cup quarter-finals and a with a thoroughly deserved win over a tired but fighting Kilmarnock.

It might have taken an extra time goal from Moses Ebiye to separate the sides but having pressed the Rugby Park men deep into their own half for most of the game, the tie should have been won long before extra-time

It was a great team performance from ‘Well and after a fairly even opening half hour, the Steelmen dictated play but couldn’t find the killer touch and goal they deserved in the regulation 90 minutes. Despite immense pressure the leg weary Rugby Park men bravely defended their goal, despite being reduced to 10 men for over an hour when central defender Stuart Findlay was sent off.

Stuart Kettlewell resisted the temptation of throwing Tony Watt into the starting line-up, preferring to stand by the eleven that pushed Rangers all the way to the final whistle at Hampden last week.

After their wonderful win over Tromso on Thursday, the Rugby Park players rightly took the acclaim from the huge Ayrshire following prior to the kick-off.

Motherwell fans, meanwhile, were hoping that Killie’s midweek exertions in Norway would leave Derek McInnes’ side exhausted.

However, there were no signs of fatigue in the Killie ranks in the opening stages as play moved from end to end.

After six minutes, Steve Seddon, impressive on the left side, whipped in a cross which found ‘Well wing backs Ewan Wilson and Stephen O’Donnell just beyond the six-yard box but neither of them could get any purchase on the ball as it trundled through to Kieran O’Hara.

The first potential threat on Aston Oxborough’s goal came in the 10th minute, but the Kilmarnock corner was easily defended.

Two minutes later a quick break upfield presented Marley Watkins with a sight of goal but from the corner of the box his low shot flew past Oxborough’s right hand post.

In an open competitive contest the ball was rarely in the middle of the park as both teams pressed towards the opponents penalty area.

A tempting ball from O’Donnell zipped through a packed Killie six yard box before at the other end Fraser Murray’s cross was nodded wide by Watkins.

Gradually, the Steelmen began to dominate possession and as the half moved into the last 15 minutes the visitor’s box was the busier of the two as ‘Well looked the more likely to find the opening goal.

With O’Donnell allowed time and space on the right he delivered a succession of crosses which begged a finish.

His high cross to the back post was clutched by O’Hara at full stretch with Halliday and Robinson rising behind him seeking a touch.

Then another deep cross from the former Scotland international, found Lennon Miller produced a superb touch before his cut back was pushed beyond Wilson by the Killie ‘keeper at full stretch.

Seven minutes from the break Miller’s low corner deflected off a defender forcing O’Hara to smother the ball on his goal line.

In the final minute, Robinson who was having more success in holding the ball up, worked a quick exchange with Wilson and Miller only for the latter to volley the ball wide from 18 yards.

Despite the home side not finding that elusive goal the Fir Park fans showed their appreciation as the team headed up the tunnel at the interval.

The Fir Park men began the second where they left off and at the edge of the visitor’s box Wilson checked back onto his right foot before his drive was clumsily palmed round the post by O’Hara.

Robinson was next to test the Killie ‘keeper but his left foot shot from the edge of the box, with Miller better placed, lacked any power.

Five minutes into the half Kilmarnock were reduced to ten men when Findlay was shown a second yellow card.

With 57 minutes on the clock and his men overworked McInnes made three changes.

Two minutes later and hoping to press home their extra man, Kettlewell made a double substitution with Zimbabwean winger Tawanda Maswanhise making his debut and Watt returning to a largely warm reception from the ‘Well fans.

With the home side camped around the Killie box crosses were still flying across O’Hara’s goal with no takers.

More fresh legs were injected to the home side when Tom Sparrow, Marvin Kaleta and Moses Ebiye were given 15 minutes to find a winning goal.

It almost arrived in the 78th minute when the lively Maswanhise cut into the box and his curling shot was on target until it deflected off Joe Wright’s thigh and sailed over the bar.

With the game edging towards extra time, yet another cross from O’Donnell found Watt at the back of the six-yard box but with a hero’s return beckoning he powered his header over the bar.

An additional six minutes gave enough time for a winner before extra-time but although Motherwell continued to build steadily from the wings the Killie defence held firm.

Six minutes into extra time ‘Well finally made the breakthrough when two of the subs combined for the opening goal.

Former Leicester City youth Maswanhise once again teased the Killie defence before whipping a ball towards the six yard box. And Ebiye, eight yards from goal with a deft header directed the ball inside O’Hara’s right post to the relief of the ‘Well fans.

Until that point the Rigby Park men, understandably, looked content to hang on until penalties.

In a rare advance upfield, Oxborough produced his first save of the game after 102 minutes diving to smother Robbie Deas’ back header.

As Killie upped the tempo in the second period of extra-time, the ‘Well ‘keeper was called into action firstly punching away Matty Kennedys free kick and then getting down to hold Kyle Vassell’s angled drive.

In a grandstand finish from Kilmarnock, Oxborough’s goal survived a couple of scares as Motherwell deservedly booked their place in the last eight of the Premier Sports Cup.

Stuart Kettlewell’s thoughts on the 1-0 win over Kilmarnock.

We have been drawn to play Dundee United in the quarter-final of the Premier Sports Cup.

The tie will take place on September 21 or 22.

Zimbabwean international Tawanda Maswanhise has signed on a short-term deal till January, with the club holding an option to extend that further. 

A product of the Leicester City youth academy, 21-year-old Maswanhise developed through the ranks with the Foxes before cementing himself as a ‘shining light’ in the club’s Premier League 2 Division 1 squad.

The forward made seven Under 18 appearances throughout his breakthrough season in 2019/20, before making his development squad debut against West Ham United in 2021. The youngster soon made the bench for the senior side two months later against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

“Tawanda has been on trial for a couple of weeks now,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said

“We have been impressed with his endeavour every time he has taken to the training pitch. He took part in the bounce match against Everton last week and once again, he looked good.

“He offers something a bit different for us. He’s quick, direct and likes to find the back of the net. There’s lots of potential with Tawanda and hopefully we can get the best out of him.”

Goals continued to follow Maswanhise in the club’s development side, netting 22-times across 61-appearances in Premier league 2. The 21-year-old’s performances were rewarded when he made his senior debut as a second-half substitute against Millwall in a 3-2 victory during the third round of the FA cup under manager Enzo Maresca.

Capable of playing centrally or as a winger, Maswanhise netted a hat-trick as a trialist for English league Two outfit Stockport County after departing the foxes this summer. The Zimbabwean international, capped three-times by his country, will now join Stuart Kettlewell’s side until January.

“I’m just buzzing to be in this position,” Maswanhise added.

“This summer has been about hard work and getting my head down. I’ve been looking for an opportunity to show people what I can do and now I’ve got one.

“I feel good and feel ready to make an impact.”

Maswanhise will wear the number 55 shirt.