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Edinburgh will await the women of steel this weekend, as Motherwell prepare for the first challenge in their 2024/25 SWPL campaign, with spartans the hosts in the Scottish capital.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

Refreshed and rejuvenated following the summer break, the women of steel return to competitive action aiming to replicate their impeccable post-split form of the previous campaign. Paul Brownlie’s side coasted through to the 2023/24 season finale after maintaining an exceptional 11-game unbeaten run.

Following 13-summer departures, Motherwell faced an extensive squad rebuild after striker Laura Berry returned to Rangers alongside fellow loanee Kayla Jardine. Latest additions Jenna Penman, Mason Blyth-Clark, Rachel Todd and Sienna McGoldrick all are set to make their competitive Motherwell debuts after penning deals in ML1.

Motherwell remain unbeaten against Spartans across their last four league meetings, with the women of steel recording three victories throughout that run.

Spartans 

The Edinburgh side have also faced an extensive squad rebuild following the departure of key attacker Caley Gibb, with Hearts loanees Kate Fraser and Olivia Chomczuk trading sides of the Scottish capital on joint season-long loan deals.

Ticket information 

Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.

• Adult – £8
• Concession – £5
• Under 16s – Free to enter

How to follow the action 

Supporters can follow Sunday’s encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match. Kick-off from Ainslie Park at 1PM.

Paul McGinn is entering his third season at Motherwell and in those first two years, he has adopted the nickname of the ‘7/10’ from supporters for his consistency in all matches. 

Whilst that two years has been successful for McGinn, this is the first time in his career that he has taken the armband, having been named vice-captain on more than once occasion.

Taking some advice from former captains that he has played under, McGinn wants to remain the way he is and become a bridge for all players in the first-team dressing room and Under 18s.

Keeping the dressing room clean and healthy is on the top of his to do list, and with the help of a ‘power group’ within the squad, that task looks achievable as the squad begin to settle down for the long season that is ahead of them.

Our William Hill Premiership game against Hearts has been moved to the following day.

Originally scheduled for Saturday 24 August, the match will now take place on Sunday 25 August due to the Edinburgh side playing a Europa League play-off on the Thursday.

Kick-off at Fir Park will be 3pm.

Zander McAllister has been named in the Scotland Under 17 squad. 

Brian McLaughlin has named McAllister in this new-look Under 17 squad. The team will travel to Croatia for both matches, which are both friendlies.

McAllister makes the step up to Under 17 level having made seven appearances for the Under 16 national side.

• Croatia v Scotland
• Friendly
• Sunday 18 August – 4:30pm kick off
• Stadium Ludbreg, Croatia

• Scotland v Qatar
• Friendly
• Wednesday 21 August – 4:30pm kick off
• Stadium Nedelišće, Croatia

Motherwell make the short trip to the national stadium on Saturday 10 August to take on Rangers. 

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

Only season ticket holders will only be able to purchase tickets online.

If you are coming to the ticket office to buy, you must have a continuous purchase history.

Please note, due to the limited amount of time between tickets going on sale and the match, it will be collection only. No postage is available.

We have been advised there is no scope to purchase tickets at Hampden for the away section.

The ticket office will be open on Saturday morning from 10am until 12pm for anyone who wishes to collect or purchase on the day of the game.

Adult – over 18 years of age to 65 years of age, Concession – 16 & 17 years of age and over 65 years of age. Juniors are under 16 years of age.

Ambulant disabled supporters pay the age-appropriate price. If a companion is required, the companion ticket is free of charge. We accept DLA or PIP as qualifying benefits and are happy to accept your verification on any of these sales.

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.

Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Injury Update

Callum Slattery, Harry Paton, Sam Nicholson, Filip Stuparevic and Johnny Koutroumbis remain out for this game.

Ross Callachan will be missing after picking up an injury this week. Shane Blaney came off against Ross County last Saturday and won’t be fit.

Lennon Miller is a doubt for the game.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

It was a point to start the new campaign last Saturday for the Steelmen. It was a 0-0 draw with County came last time out but a clean sheet was most welcomed.

New signing Apostolos Stamatelopoulos got his first minutes after joining the club, with Aston Oxborough making his first league appearance after two seasons in North Lanarkshire.

It was a memorable afternoon against Rangers last time out for Motherwell, as goals from Theo Bair and Dan Casey secured a historic first win at Ibrox since 1997.

Opposition Report

Rangers also drew their first league match of the season, with the Gers coming away with a 0-0 draw from Tynecastle.

They are in European action on Tuesday night, taking on Dynamo Kyiv in Poland in the Champions League third round qualifying.

Rangers have been busy in the transfer market this summer, with manager Philip Clement also signing a new deal. Former ‘Well captain Liam Kelly is amongst the ranks, with Connor Barron another player who has made the move to Ibrox from a Scottish Premiership side.

Tom Lawrence was the biggest goal threat during the pre-season schedule for Rangers, scoring three goals across the games.

Improvement was what Stuart Kettlewell wanted after the Motherwell performance six days prior, and in the league curtain raiser against Ross County, there were elements that were much improved. 

With the better of the chances and a solid defensive showing, the Steelmen just couldn’t find the back of the net to make it a three point start to the new campaign.

With a trip to Rangers looming, taking the shackles off and becoming that bit more creative is the next task on the horizon.

We can now confirm ticket details for our match against Rangers on Saturday 10 August at Hampden. 

Only season ticket holders will only be able to purchase tickets online.

If you are coming to the ticket office to buy, you must have a continuous purchase history.

Please note, due to the limited amount of time between tickets going on sale and the match, it will be collection only. No postage is available.

We have been advised there is no scope to purchase tickets at Hampden for the away section.

Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday 6 August at 9am. The ticket office will be open on Saturday morning from 10am until 12pm for anyone who wishes to collect or purchase on the day of the game.

Adult – over 18 years of age to 65 years of age, Concession – 16 & 17 years of age and over 65 years of age. Juniors are under 16 years of age.

Ambulant disabled supporters pay the age-appropriate price. If a companion is required, the companion ticket is free of charge. We accept DLA or PIP as qualifying benefits and are happy to accept your verification on any of these sales.

We can only apologise for any inconvenience this delay has caused, however it was a situation that was outside of our control. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Saturday.

Sam Nicholson has suffered a patella related injury and will be missing for several months. 

Nicholson picked up an injury during pre-season and despite almost fully recovering, suffered this new setback that will keep him unavailable.

“This is a really frustrating situation for both club and player,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“I’ve spoken with Sam and will ensure he is full supported during this lay off. He is gutted that he is having to miss more games after working so hard to get back fit.

“From a club point of view, it’s another blow. Our injury list isn’t getting shorter and we’ve now got one less option in the forward areas. We’ll look to see if we can bring in some fresh blood to try and cope with the situation.”

We wish Sam a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back out on the pitch soon.

We take on Kilmarnock in the second round of the Premier Sports Cup.

Kick-off is 2pm on Sunday 18 August.

Ticket prices

• Concessions are over 65, Students and Young Adults (14-17)
• Juveniles would be 13 and under (must be accompanied by an adult)
• Ticket Office open from 10am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

Supporters are able to buy tickets online here or visit the ticket office at Fir Park.

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.

Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only.

EPIC Global solutions will be at Fir Park on Tuesday 6 August to deliver a gambling harm awareness course. 

There is a well-established link between gambling and suicide and gambling can be a dominant factor. People experiencing gambling-related harms are a risk group for the experience of suicidal thoughts, attempts and death by suicide.

According to ‘The Conversation’ website earlier this year, research from different countries has shown that among people receiving treatment for problem gambling, between 22% and 81% have thought about suicide, and 7% to 30% have made an attempt.

This programme is delivered to all first-team players, but also to supporters. The session will cover:

• Personal lived experience from an ex-sports professional
• Stats and headlines around the issue
• The Gambling Spectrum
• Signs to look out for in family or friends
• Signposting and Q&A

The event will take place David Cooper Stand and will last no longer than 45 minutes. This programme is only possible because of the excellent work in the community done by the Motherwell Football Club Community Trust and all their staff.

More information on the effects gambling can have on your mental health can be found online.